Throughout May we aim to look at our giving in a variety of different ways and Revd. Martin Poole began with this passage from Luke 16. This is a difficult passage and it’s hard to understand what Jesus was illustrating in telling it – even the Bible translators struggle as this is entitled the Unjust Steward in some versions or the Shrewd Manager in others!
Martin chose to draw out two principles from this:
- This is a story about Debt.
In a similar parable in Matthew 18 Jesus tells the story of a servant who is forgiven an enormous debt but doesn’t then show the same mercy to someone who owes him. We are all in a position of debt to God which has been forgiven leaving us redeemed. We should show that same forgiveness to others and forgive as the Lord forgave us (Colossians 3:13). - It’s also a story about Value.
The key verse in this passage is v9 which in the Living Bible is translated as: “Here’s the lesson: use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, you will be welcomed to an eternal home.” This is the principle we need to enact in our negotiations around the sale and transfer of the church hall to the community.
We should put these principles into practice in our own lives by demonstrating our gratitude for God’s love in our own giving and we always keep in mind the things of true, eternal value.
You can hear the talk here Luke 16_1-13
