Something about it sticks like honey – dripping mystery-sweet.
“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (Luke 16:8-10 – parable of the shrewd manager)
At first, I’m bothered by the apparent instruction to gain friends for my own comfort. ‘Is Jesus telling me to give for selfish reasons? What else could it mean? Lord, open my eyes!’
…Maybe the point is not that these friends are there to welcome me, but simply that they are there; that their presence in that eternal home is impacted by my use of worldly resources.
The honey mystery drips … possibility … opportunity … Maybe this passage is an answer to the pleas I’ve sung. “For our inheritance give us the lost”. [1] How many times have I asked to be used to bring people to Christ? … and asked what I can do?
Sweet honey answers thrill my mouth to a grin as I recall how I was won. How anyone is... He loved us so much… that he gave. [2]
I feel like the person who found treasure, buried it in a field, and sold everything he had to buy that field.
… could it be? Could everything I have be a resource to love people into heaven?
… could it be? Could everything I have be a resource to love people into heaven?
The sweet flows thick…
How can I invest my time ‘to benefit others’? Abilities? Possessions?
Scripture flashes through my mind faster than I can pause to think about
‘store up treasure in heaven’
‘you are the crown I receive for my work’
‘make use of every opportunity…’
‘… hold back those staggering toward destruction…’
‘sell everything, give to the poor, then you will have treasure in heaven…’
‘pure and genuine religion… is caring for orphans and widows in distress…’
‘love others as I loved you…’
How did He love?
What do I have that is mine to keep?
Can I really exchange any temporary things for eternal treasures?
How fitting that the next thing Jesus warns against is the love of money; serving two masters.
How frightening that the story after that is one of a man who refused to share what he had with the poor beggar at his door and ended up in eternal torment...
What does it say about the state of my heart if I decide not to share my resources?
How fitting that the next thing Jesus warns against is the love of money; serving two masters.
How frightening that the story after that is one of a man who refused to share what he had with the poor beggar at his door and ended up in eternal torment...
What does it say about the state of my heart if I decide not to share my resources?
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,
and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
Matthew 12:35
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.
Proverbs 27:19
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
John 15: 12-14
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1 comment:
A wonderful mulling, this sticks with me sweetly dripping its mystery.
You have written well. Thank you for giving what you have been given. (Mt 25:14-30)
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