A Welcoming

 (4-17-05)

Luke 16:9-12

 

“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Lk.16:9)

 

Who’s going to be at your welcoming?

 

What do you think Jesus thinks about you and your attitude towards Him and His Church and all those people He gave up His life for? Jesus asks a question in verse 11 – “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” What do you think the ‘true riches’ are?

In Jesus’ story of the shrewd manager there is an insight into something very important for you and I to grasp – that which Jesus values. Jesus doesn’t value big houses and fancy cars. Jesus doesn’t value large bank accounts and lucrative stock market investments. Jesus does not value what we have been taught all our lives to value. Jesus values people.

What happens when someone who is struggling to survive is lifted up by a stranger? They look to God with thanks giving in their hearts. When they get to heaven and find out who it was that helped them so tenderly and lovingly while they were in their misery, guess who they will go looking for?

Jesus is recorded in three of the four gospels giving warning that it is hard for the rich to enter heaven. Should we get a clue about something here?  Here is the clue, there is deep danger in our attachments to this worlds stuff. What is the safe guard for our eternity? Value what Jesus valued!

It is not just about money or possessions, it is also about time and how we spend it. We can just as easily squander away our time in pursuit of the affections of our heart. (and what is the affections of our heart?)

Jesus valued people so much that he spent all his energy on their behalf. Why? Because that was where the Heavenly Fathers heart was.  Jesus says this about how He spent His life: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (Jn.8:29) (see Eph.5:10) Jesus knew what made His Father happy and that is where He set His affections and where he spent His energy and time.

I am at a loss as to how to have an effect upon another persons’ heart to such a degree that it would cause them to deepen their understanding and in the depth of that insight, change. I know only how to show you a glimpse of what Jesus cares about and then try to encourage you to value what He values and not what the world values. 

Jesus values people!