[:en]The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (vs. 1-15)
A manager was accused of wasting his master’s possessions. So the master wanted to dismiss him. The manager moved quickly to cut down his boss’ losses by calling all the debtors and made an offer the debtors could not refuse. He was able to settle accounts with an acceptable loss.
The master commended the manager because he admired the manager’s shrewdness. He had gave up on collecting the debts and by doing that, some payment was better than none. The manager was able to use the financial opportunity for the benefit of his master, the debtors and himself. The master’s loss was cut off, the debtors were freed from debts and he earned acceptance and praise.
How are we going to use our money?
- Use it for good not for evil
- Use it carefully and thoughtfully
- Use it to help people find Christ
- Use it to help those in need
- Use it to bring eternal benefit.
Money is very powerful. It can take the Lord’s place in your life. It can become your master and make you the slave. Money is a hard master that can control the destiny of your life and cause you to abandon true spirituality. No matter how much money you have, it cannot provide health, happiness or eternal life. Let God be your master and you will have peace of mind and security.
The Rich Man and Lazarus (vs. 19-31)
There was a beggar name Lazarus who was at the gate of a rich man longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. When both died, the angel came to carry Lazarus to Abraham’s side while the rich man was in hell being tormented. When he looked up, he saw Abraham far way with Lazarus by his side. He asked for some water but the distance prevented his request to be granted. So he begged Abraham to send Lazarus to earth and warned his brothers so that they would not come to this place of torment. But Abraham told him, there is no need to send Lazarus because if they would not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they would not be convinced if someone rose from the dead.
Lessons:
- There is life after death
- There is eternal consequence on how we live our life
- We must listen to God while on earth
- We need to share our blessings with others
- We have to set our minds on eternity and above not on the temporary and below
- We should have a constant relationship with God
- Beware of being rich materially but spiritually bankrupt.
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