March 27, 2025 - Meditation Luke 16:1-13 Ruling or Being Ruled?

 

March 27, 2025 - Meditation

Luke 16:1-13

Ruling or Being Ruled?

The term "steward" frequently appears in the Bible. The Greek word for "steward" is "oikonomos (οἰκονόμος)," which is a combination of "oikos (οἶκος)" meaning "house" and "nemo (νέμω)" meaning "to manage." Thus, a steward is "one who manages a household." When a master entrusts his wealth to a steward, what he expects is that his assets will not be wasted or lost.

However, what kind of steward do we see in today’s passage? Verse 1 says:

"Jesus also said to the disciples, 'There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.'"

This steward was wasting his master’s resources. He was of no benefit to the master, so the master decided to dismiss him. The master ordered him to settle the accounts and step down from his management role.

Facing dismissal, the steward began to worry. He had no alternative means of making a living. So, he devised a plan: as he settled the accounts, he reduced the debts of those who owed his master. In doing so, he ensured that these debtors would help him after he lost his job.

Now, we must carefully consider the lesson in this parable. Jesus is not teaching us to be cunning like this steward or to imitate his behavior. Instead, the key point of this story is found in verse 8:

"The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the children of light."

Here, Jesus contrasts "the children of this world" with "the children of light." He states that those who belong to this world are more wise in handling worldly matters than God’s children are. The "children of light" refer to believers—God’s people.

People of this world are clever when it comes to money. They know how to invest, increase wealth, and navigate financial matters. However, these are worldly concerns. As God’s children, how should we use our wealth? We are not to spend it merely on a comfortable life—eating well, dressing well, and living well. Instead, we must use it for spiritual purposes: for spreading the Gospel, helping the needy, and glorifying God.

The people of this world prepare well for their future in this life. But as believers, we must prepare for the final days, the eternal future. We should live with faith that anticipates the end times and God’s coming kingdom.

Are we living today with this kind of faith?

Today's passage challenges us to ask: Who is truly our master? Will we serve money or God? We cannot serve two masters. If so, we must choose to serve God as our true Lord. However, many Christians follow the ways of the world, letting money dictate their decisions, mindset, and values. People assess worth based on financial success, and their perspectives are shaped by material wealth.

If we truly recognize God as our master, we must seek His will in all things. What does God desire for us? He wants us to think, judge, and view the world through His Word, not through wealth. Even without material riches, we should live according to God’s Word.

Are we living such a life today? Instead of being enslaved by money and controlled by material concerns, let us live as children of God—ruled by His Word, serving Him as our only Master.