Who’s the Boss?

Read Luke 15:1–16:31

9. “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.
10. If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
11. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
12. And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
13. No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:9-13

If you ever have had the unfortunate experience of having two bosses at work, you know that opposing supervisory forces can make the workday a continual struggle of conflicting priorities and miscom-munication. Yet when it comes to values, that’s the way many people live. They try to go in two directions at the same time.

God and riches can be like two bosses, each demanding your allegiance. Perhaps no other spiritual struggle is as intense as this one. It is a struggle between two needs—God and money—and where to place your faith. Some place it in money. Some place it in God. Still others try to divide their faith between the two. In this reading, Jesus lets people know that this is not possible. You must choose to serve one or the other. As you read, ask God to reveal your values, to show you where your allegiance is.

Also, look for the down-to-earth lessons found in the stories of coins; an unforgiving fellow who gets his just desserts; and a son who learns from his father what true love is.

Money tests us at every turn. The way we earn it, the way we spend it, and the way we give it away all reveal who or what rules our heart (Luke 16:10-12). If we serve money, we will live for it and try to get it at all costs. But if we serve God, we will be honest in how we earn money, shrewd in how we spend it, and generous in how we give it. Most notably, we will be dependable with others’ money.

Do riches have control over you? God wants your love and loyalty. He will not share what is rightfully his with anything or anyone. Do not fool yourself—you can’t serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). Sooner or later you have to choose one over the other. Which will you choose?