Jesus was a master teacher. One of the ways Jesus taught was through parables–using worldly examples that His listeners could relate to and giving them spiritual significance. The parable of the Unfaithful Servant in Luke 16 is an example of this.
In this parable the shrewd servant got caught being unfaithful in his dealings with his master’s money. When his master found out, he told the servant to get his business papers together because the master was firing him. The servant began to build security by forgiving much of the debt that was owed to the master, thus securing future sympathy from those he helped. When the master found out, he actually praised the servant for his shrewdness.
What lesson can children of God learn from a parable filled with such ungodly behavior by every character in the story? Jesus tells us, Luke 16:9–11 (CSB) “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of worldly wealth, so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings. 10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. 11 So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will trust you with what is genuine?”
The wicked servant used the funds entrusted by his earthly master to build equity for himself here on earth. Jesus challenges us to understand that the wealth entrusted to us by God is to be used by us to draw others into salvation. Our “worldly wealth” (money) is given to us by God to help advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus says that as we use our money to reach others, they will be in heaven to welcome us home when we die.
This is not a lesson in works based salvation but a lesson in faithfulness. The extreme unfaithfulness of the servant is used by Christ as an example of how extreme our faithfulness to God ought to be on the other end of the spectrum. Jesus tells us that the way we handle the little things (money) reveals the way we will handle our eternal responsibilities.
Nearly all of Luke 16 deals with money. As we minister during COVID-19, there will be many that we will be called to serve. How will we use the little things here on earth to make an impact on eternity?
SUNDAY SCHOOL, WEDNESDAY NIGHT ZOOM SCHEDULES!
Our I.T. team has made some corrections to the Zoom Schedule that was sent out last week. Look for the new schedule that Amy sent out this week to know how to connect for Sunday School and our Wednesday night events.
In order to minister further to our Piner families, we would like to give them an “Easter” dinner box. If your family is able, we are asking you to collect the following items and deliver to church by Wednesday, April 8, for delivery by the school resource officer:
Easter
Box Items:
Ham (donated and purchased by church-no need for you to
purchase)
Bag of Potatoes or Box of Mashed Potatoes
3 Cans of Vegetables
Jar of Applesauce
Dinner Rolls
Dessert – we suggest a baked good from the Kroger bakery
Easter Candy for kids
Jody is asking that we put these items in a box or in paper bags for easier delivery. Kroger is very generous in giving paper bags.
EASTER CARDS NEEDED!
I want to include our children in this project of helping needy families. Have them make cards that we can include in these bags of groceries, just to let them know that Piner Baptist is praying for them.