Tag Archives: Eternity

The Importance of Stewardship

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living

Many preachers shy away from discussing money and giving, fearing it may seem self-serving. Yet, the Bible speaks extensively about stewardship. The word “steward” comes from Old English, meaning “house guardian” or “keeper of the hall.” Historically, stewards managed the affairs of a household or estate, overseeing servants and ensuring smooth daily operations. In essence, a steward manages what belongs to another.

It’s vital to exercise good stewardship over what God has given us. Whatever we think is ours truly belongs to God (Psalm 24:1; Psalm 50:10; 1 Chronicles 29:14). Giving to God is like buying a gift with the celebrant’s own money. From the beginning, humanity was meant to be stewards (Genesis 2:15). Our responsibility is to do well with what we’ve been given.

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

Jesus illustrates stewardship in a negative light through the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13). In this story, a steward is accused of wastefulness, in similar fashion to the prodigal son squandering his inheritance. Forced to give an account, the steward doesn’t even try to defend himself. Facing unemployment, he refuses manual labor and is too proud to beg, yet not ashamed to cheat and steal.

To secure his future, he reduces the debts of his master’s debtors, hoping they’ll help him later. These are not trivial amounts, being hundreds of gallons of oil and bushels of wheat. Would you trust someone like this? If he is willing to cheat this master, why wouldn’t he cheat you as well?

Even though the master is defrauded, he admires the steward’s shrewdness from a worldly perspective. In this parable, everyone is focused solely on wealth and possessions.

Being Focused on What Comes Next

Jesus does not commend the steward’s cunning. All the characters are unwholesome.  The steward cheats, the debtors accept the amended bills knowing the truth, and the master admires shrewdness. Jesus is highlighting how much effort people put into pursuing worldly gain (Luke 16:8b). Those chasing “mammon of unrighteousness” go to great lengths to acquire it, contrasted with the pursuit of true riches (Luke 16:11-12).

Many trust in uncertain riches rather than the eternal God (1 Timothy 6:17). If we cannot properly handle what belongs to another (all we have belongs to God), how will we receive our own reward? This becomes a salvation issue. Christians often exert less effort to “win heaven” than worldly people do to “win earth.”

Consider a professional golfer who participates in relentless practice, strategic planning, and dedication to perfecting every shot. Are we as diligent in our pursuit of the lost or in serving God? Our stewardship should focus on what comes next — our eternal home.

Jesus, perhaps with sarcasm, suggests making friends with those pursuing unrighteous mammon and asking them to care for you eternally (Luke 16:9). How will that work out? It’s like God telling Israel to call out to their idols in times of trouble.

If we are not faithful in little things, how can we be trusted with true riches? (Luke 16:10; 1 Corinthians 4:2). Faithfulness in small matters leads to faithfulness in greater ones. Our focus must be on God, not mammon (Luke 16:13). You cannot serve two masters, because eventually, you must choose one over the other. Mammon says blessing comes from gaining; God says blessing comes from giving. These cannot be reconciled. Galatians 6:6-10 and 1 Peter 4:7-11 remind us to have the right attitude and motivation: to glorify God.

Conclusion

Why did Jesus tell this parable? Some listeners loved money and were unwilling to share (Luke 16:14; 1 Timothy 6:10). They cared only for themselves, missing the bigger picture. They understood Jesus’ message and derided Him.

To be prepared for the hereafter, we must be good stewards now. Who would entrust great riches to someone who cannot handle a little? The greatest riches await us in heaven, but what we do with what we have now matters. We must behave in a way that is worthy and make our blessings count.

Graduation Day

Posted on by under Current Events

10408708_292224034286727_3125514176653518821_n     Well, it’s that time of year again. Young men and women all across the country are completing one phase of their life and are preparing to move on to their next step. It is scary to leave what we know for the unknown, but it is also exciting to begin something new. Someday each of us will face a similar transition as we graduate from this life and move on into eternity. Thus we should also look to prepare ourselves for that graduation day.

     We see that Jesus spoke of this time of transition when He told His disciples that He would separate mankind as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32ff). In every graduation ceremony there are those who achieve honor by graduating with high grades or perhaps being named valedictorian. Likewise we see that Jesus will reward the faithful by bidding them to, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34b NKJV). Sadly those who fail at life’s test will meet a far different end, as they will depart into everlasting destruction, which is reserved for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

     Therefore, just as it is important for the student to prepare himself so that he may graduate with honors we also should prepare ourselves by living faithfully for that Great Day to come. Our future depends upon what we do in this life. Graduation day is approaching, are you ready?

Is Doomsday Approaching?

Posted on by under Article

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists reported this week that we are now two minutes closer to midnight on their Doomsday Clock, having moved us from five minutes to midnight to just three.  Citing the amount of nuclear weapons in the world and human climate change, they feel that we are close to extinguishing the human race through some sort of doomsday catastrophe.

Kennette BenedictKennette Benedict, the director of the group, says, “The probability of global catastrophe is very high. This is about the end of civilization as we know it” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/01/22/doomsday-clock-three-minutes-to-midnight/22158457/).  Interestingly, the clock was once just two minutes to midnight in 1953 following the testing of a new nuclear bomb.  Even though there were no fears of “global warming” and there were not as many nuclear weapons in 1953, we were closer to extinction then than we are now according to this scientific group.

So is this the case?  Are we closing in on Doomsday?  Let us put aside the dubious nature of the “scientific” proof of climate change for the moment.  Instead let us address the question as to whether man is able to bring life on this planet to an end.  Is man able to destroy the planet?  These scientists would answer that question in the affirmative, but is that really the case?

Scripture tells us who is really in control of the planet and all that goes on in it, and it is not man.  In Daniel 2, the prophet tells us that it is God who “changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.  He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him” (Daniel 2:21-22 NKJV).  Man may desire to know what is going to happen in the future, but to us that is darkness.  It cannot be seen by man.  God, however, is the one who knows what is in the darkness.  Thus we might say that we do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.

Additionally, God made a promise to mankind through Noah that nothing was going to stop the changing of the seasons while the earth remains (Genesis 8:22).  So while we are running around on this planet, to and fro, worrying about when the end will come, we must realize that we are not the ones who are in control of the planet.  It is God, the One who created it all (Psalm 19:1).  God will bring all things to an end when He sees fit to do so.  Jesus reported that of that day and time, no one knows.  Even He did not know when that would be.  Only the Heavenly Father has that answer (Matthew 24:36).

Instead of worrying about Doomsday, what every person on this planet should concern themselves with is whether they are ready to pass from this life into eternity.  What does grow closer everyday is the appointment that we have with eternity.  One day we will all pass from this life to the next, and we need to be ready for that day.  Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:42-44).  No one knows when they will die, but we all know that we will someday, unless the Lord returns first.  The question is, are you ready for that day to come?