Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 16 : 9-13 "FROM FAITHFULNESS IN LESSER THINGS TO FAITHFULNESS IN GREATER THINGS"
Day 196 – Luke 16
Text: Luke 16 : 9-13
FROM FAITHFULNESS IN LESSER THINGS TO FAITHFULNESS IN GREATER THINGS
Jesus challenged His Disciples to be faithful to material wealth, described as “the least” in this passage of Scripture. He went on to add an important truth statement.
“He who is faithful in what is least
is faithful also in much.”
Luke 16:10
In order to understand what Jesus meant, we must read a little further,
“Therefore if you have not been faithful
in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust
the true riches?
And if you have not been faithful
In what is another man’s,
Who will give you what is your own?”
Luke 16:11-12
The lesson on faithfulness must be learned and mastered carefully. Jesus enjoined faithfulness in matters such as earthly riches. If a person has learned to be faithful in earthly matters, then he would be ready to be entrusted with “true riches”.
AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE IN KING DAVID
King David had his failings, but when it came to the matter of handling wealth, he was most faithful. His faithfulness in handling material wealth is well exemplified in 1 Chronicles 29.
By any standards, King David was fabulously rich. However, when he pondered over what he should give towards the construction of the House of the Lord, the famous Temple that Solomon would one day build, this is what we read in the Scriptures.
“Now for the House of my God
I have prepared with all my might,
Gold for things to be made of gold,
Silver for things of silver,
Bronze for things of bronze,
Iron for things of iron,
Wood for things of wood,
Onyx stones,
Stones to be set,
Glistening stones of various colours,
All kinds of precious stones
And marble slabs in abundance.
Moreover, because I have set my affection
On the House of my God,
I have given to the House of my God,
Over and above all that I have prepared
For the Holy House,
My own special treasure of gold and silver.”
1 Chronicles 29:2-3
A lesser person could well be spoilt because of the wealth possessed. However, David knew that what he achieved in life was traceable to God’s blessings. If the Lord had not protected him, kept him from harm and danger he would have died in the many wars he waged against powerful enemies.
If the Lord had not blessed him, he would not be able to speak of being able to give treasures of gold, silver and precious stones! David proved himself faithful indeed. Jesus spoke of “true riches”. What were these riches that were given to David? Let us consider some of the blessings that God promised David.
“TRUE RICHES”
In 1 Chronicles 17, David received a special word from Nathan the prophet. God promised the following things to David, in response and in acknowledgment of the affection that he had for Him, expressed in his desire to build Him a holy house.
“Furthermore I tell you that the Lord
will build you a house.
And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled,
When you must go to be with your fathers,
That I will set up your seed after you,
Who will be of your sons;
And I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build Me a House,
And I will establish his throne forever.
I will be his Father, and he shall be My son;
And I will not take My mercy away from him…
And I will establish him in My house
And in My kingdom forever,
And his throne shall be established forever.”
1 Chronicles 17:10-14
What were some of the “true riches” God promised David?
1. That he would be blessed with good posterity.
2. His son’s kingdom would be established.
3. God would bless with mercy.
These are only glimpses of the true riches that could be ours, if we first prove ourselves faithful in what is least. By no means are the true riches limited to what we read here in this passage. Many more true riches are reserved for those who are faithful.