Giving In Love

In the world, we sometimes hear the phrase, “How to win friends and influence people.” This statement seems to be the main point of this passage at first glance. In what might be considered the most confounding words Jesus ever utters, he says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:9)  What?! Is that the model? Give somebody else’s wealth away in order to win friends and get into heaven?! Is Jesus really making a dishonest person the hero of the story? There is far too much to unpack in a quick newsletter article (which is a great teaser to say, “Don't forget to come on out or tune in Sunday morning.”); however, there is a principle that we can learn: We need to be wise with the wealth with which we are entrusted. When we bless others for the sake of God’s kingdom, we store up treasures in heaven. That doesn't mean God loves dishonest gain in order to give that away. Rather, we are reminded that giving makes us wise and pleases God, who holds all wealth in his hands. Afterall, the pursuit of earthly riches and the values of the things of this world cannot last; they eventually rot and come to nothing. Jesus reminds us, “You cannot serve both God and money."  Which one are you serving?