Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 16 : 9-13 "HE WHO IS UNJUST IN WHAT IS LEAST IS UNJUST ALSO IN MUCH..." Luke 16:10"
Day 197 – Luke 16
Text: Luke 16 : 9-13
“HE WHO IS UNJUST IN WHAT IS LEAST IS UNJUST ALSO IN MUCH…” Luke 16:10
Jesus had much to teach His Disciples. There were many lessons to be learned. The Disciples had to learn how to appreciate spiritual treasures, and the deep lessons that Jesus taught were indeed true riches.
However, the Disciples also had to learn deep lessons about the practical matters of life. One of them was the question of earthly wealth. They needed to learn much about how to be faithful in their stewardship of earthly goods. Then would they be blessed with even greater things – “true riches”- no less.
In order to help the Disciples to learn these lessons well, Jesus opened up the fact that there could be some who would prove to be “unjust”. As much as there were some who would be faithful, there would also be those who would be found to be “unjust”. Literally this word describes one who is “unrighteous”. This word “unjust” or “unrighteous” is contrasted with the word “faithful”.
The point of comparison must be noted. It is not just a comparison between faithful and unfaithful deeds. The comparison made here is really more of “character”. The character of a faithful person is being contrasted with the character of an unrighteous person.
AN EXAMPLE OF ONE WHO PROVED HIMSELF UNFAITHFUL
Perhaps the most striking example of one who had proven himself unfaithful would be Gehazi, the servant of the famous Elisha the prophet. The term “servant” is to be read as one who was attached to Elisha for the purpose of being trained to be a servant of God. Elisha himself was called a “servant” when he followed Elijah (Cf. 1 Kings 19:21).
Namaan the Syrian had come to Israel to seek healing for his leprosy. Elisha the servant of God, told Namaan that if he were to wash in the River Jordan, he would be healed.
When Namaan finally obeyed this instruction from Elisha, after struggling for a while within his heart, he was healed. In sheer gratitude, he said to the prophet,
“Indeed, now I know that there is no God
in all the earth, except in Israel;
now therefore, please
take a gift from your servant.”
2 Kings 5:15
Elisha’s reply was straightforward. He said,
“As the Lord lives, before whom I stand,
I will receive nothing.”
2 Kings 5:16
Namaan urged Elisha to receive a gift, but steadfastly, Elisha the prophet refused every gift that was offered.
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha however had a different spirit. He said to himself,
“Look, my master has spared Namaan this Syrian,
while not receiving from his hands what he brought;
but as the Lord lives, I will run after him
and take something from him.”
2 Kings 5:20
In his own heart, Gehazi obviously did not agree with Elisha’s approach. He pursued after Namaan and then went on to make his request from the Syrian.
“Indeed, just now two young men
of the sons of the prophets
have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim.
Please give me a talent of silver
And two changes of garments.”
2 Kings 5:22
Quite obviously, Namaan had brought with him a number of gifts. Upon hearing this request, he said to Gehazi.
” ‘Please, take two talents.’
And he urged him,
And bound two talents of silver
In two bags, with two changes of garments…”
2 Kings 5:23
Namaan gave a huge gift to Gehazi. Two talents of silver weighed about 68 kg! Namaan had to instruct his servants to carry this gift for Gehazi (2 Kings 5:23-24).
CONFRONTED AND DISCIPLINED
When Gehazi returned, he was confronted by Elisha. This servant had proved himself unrighteous. He had proven that he was unfaithful and unworthy of true riches. Of course, he was dismissed as servant to Elisha.
“‘Did not my heart go with you
when the man turned back from his chariot
to meet you?
Is it time to receive money
And to receive clothing,
Olive groves and vineyards,
Sheep and oxen,
Male and female servants?
Therefore the leprosy of Naaman
Shall cling to you and your descendants forever.’
And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.”
2 Kings 5:26-27
Unrighteousness leads to unfaithfulness. How we must guard our hearts from unrighteousness and unfaithfulness… not wealth per se. Gehazi lost true riches. He could have been the successor of Elisha!