CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11)
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as faithfulness, dependability, wealth, focus, devotion, God and money.
“If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11)
IN CONTEXT
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:10-13)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“When I am faithful in a very little I will be faithful in much, and if I am dishonest in a very little, I will also be dishonest in much. I ask myself, “If I then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to me the true riches? And if I am not faithful in that which is another’s, who will give me that which is my own? I will not serve two masters, for either I will hate the one and love the other, or I will be devoted to the one and despise the other. I will not serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:10-13)
THE DOUBLE-MINDED PERSON – UNSTABLE IN ALL THEIR WAYS
The Book of James tells us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let them ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given that person. But let them ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. That person must not suppose they will receive anything from the Lord; they are a double-minded person, unstable in all their ways.”
The answer is to FOCUS ON THE RIGHT THINGS, “Do not Look to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
The answer is to STAY FOCUSED by “Setting your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2).
The answer is to REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD, since, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
It takes faith when trusting God, and although faith is the seed of miracles, and is a wonderful and an amazing gift, it takes practice and patience. Remember that shortcuts almost always lead to small endings – but doing things right is taking the long way around, which takes patience and endurance, but it is the one who endures to the end who will receive the reward!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
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