“If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:11
Living in Chicago we’re accustomed to the saying… There’s always next year! It’s a slogan which is more of a Chicago joke. Our sports teams haven’t had the best records…
That saying has been broadened into many other sayings in our personal lives, like, There’s always tomorrow! I’ll get to it when I have the time…! Maybe it’ll all come together soon? Sound familiar?
Laziness always pushes things off to someday, or, it looks for an excuse about the timing being right. Faithfulness always looks for ways to accomplish what needs to be done when it should be done. Jesus said that if we are not faithful with things like money, then how will God entrust to us the true riches?
In our present society we hear phrases like Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), which is a phrase designed to force companies to hire people based on racial and gender quotas rather than qualifications and experience. Jesus preached the opposite! People who expect something for nothing will be very surprised one day. Heaven is not a socialist kingdom. There will be rewards given to those who have been faithful with what they have been given and worked it into something greater. Those who have produced more with what has been entrusted with will excel in the kingdom of God!
Those who have not been faithful with their time, opportunities and resources will be very disappointed. That is illustrated in the parable of the talents (Mt. 25:14-30)
So, what are the true riches? What was Jesus referring to? In this world, they are the riches that cannot be measured in man’s eco-systems. Their values are eternal and live in the hearts of those who have confessed Jesus as their Lord. Their riches are not subject to the moth-eating processes of rust and corrosion. Proverbs 8:11 says, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” This, of course, was written by the wisest man of his day, and the richest man in human history – Solomon!
Wisdom attracts the resources of this world. You know, God doesn’t mind giving riches to the wise, because He knows their values. He has weighed their hearts. He won’t give riches to the fool because “…the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” (Pr. 1:32)
The way up in the kingdom of God is to go low. Jesus said, “Come to Me…learn from Me…I am lowly of heart…” The true riches will find you when you humble yourself before God. He will exalt you and fellowship with you… That is true wealth!
With Love,
Pastor Tom
Kingdom Business is Eternal, as are the rewards that come from God. If this ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us in prayer, as the Lord leads you, or in financial support. Please visit our website at www.testamentoflove.org to learn more about this ministry! Luke 6:38