Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 16 : 1 - 13 "PRACTICAL ADVICE TO "THE SONS OF LIGHT"
Day 194 – Luke 16
Text: Luke 16 : 1 – 13
PRACTICAL ADVICE TO “THE SONS OF LIGHT”
This was one of the ways Jesus distinguished genuine believers from those who did not express faith in Him. The latter were called “the sons of this world”. Jesus made an interesting and insightful remark when He compared “the sons of light” and “the sons of this world”.
“The sons of this world are more shrewd
in their generation than the sons of light.”
Luke 16:8
You can be sure that Jesus was not commending “the sons of light” when He made this remark. He went on to say,
“Make friends for yourselves
by unrighteous mammon,
that when you fail, they may receive you
into an everlasting home.”
Luke 16:9
Let us take time to ponder and pray over this piece of very practical advice to all “sons of light”.
THE NEED TO HAVE A BIBLICALLY-SOUND APPROACH TO MONEY-MATTERS
There seems to be two extreme positions held by Christians today. On the one hand, there are those who disdain wealth. Anything to do with wealth is rejected as something worldly and undesirable. On the other hand there are people who promote the popular “wealth and health” theology. These are convinced that God never meant anyone to be poor. Therefore, one must pray positively for wealth and health.
The true answer is to be found in the careful studying of the Scriptures. The Book of Proverbs offers some very sound advice on this subject. Let us take time to consider a few wise sayings from this portion of the Scriptures. Most of these statements are really quite straightforward and self-explanatory.
“Riches and honour are with me (wisdom),
Enduring riches and righteousness.”
Proverbs 8:18
It is certainly untrue to think that “riches and honour” are to be shunned altogether. In this context, wisdom personified declares that when a person attains to wisdom, with it will come both riches and honour. Obviously, riches and honour are held out as things which are desirable.
Consider another statement in this same context. Wisdom is once again personified.
“I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
That I may cause those who love me
To inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.”
Proverbs 8:20-21
Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness. It is to be found closely associated with justice. When people walk in wisdom, and also pursue that which is just and good, they are blessed with wealth as well.
WEALTH MUST BE OBTAINED LEGITIMATELY
While the Scriptures do not frown on wealth, it must not be obtained through wrong means. Wealth obtained through violence or any other sinful ways must be shunned. Consider again, another portion of the Book of Proverbs.
“My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
If they say, ‘Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood.
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
Let us swallow them alike like Sheol (lit. “the grave”)
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.”
Proverbs 1:10-13, 18-19
It is very clear that wealth must not be obtained illegitimately. Those who seek the hurt of others in order to get gain will receive their retribution one day. As they hunt the lives of others, they would lose theirs one day.
“MAKE FRIENDS FOR YOURSELVES BY UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON…” Luke 16:9
Jesus did not encourage the shunning of wealth in any way. He did recognize that there were certain dangers, one of which was covetousness. He warned against the sin of covetousness and not wealth (Cf. Luke 12:15).
He also warned that one should not lose sight of the Kingdom of God. Earthly treasures should not cause the heart to be unresponsive to things spiritual and eternal. It would require much wisdom to know how to make friends for ourselves by unrighteous mammon (a reference to “money”).