Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 16:1-15. 

How true it is that those of the world seeking their own gain and glory work all the angles they possible can. They are working from the motive of survival and they leave no stone unturned as they look for ways to move things forward. I don't think this parable is encouraging dishonesty like modeled by the steward but it is encouraging us to be as motivated and as creative in advancing the kingdom.

Verse 10 lays down a principle I use constantly. I try to remember it for myself and I apply it to those I delegate responsibility to. Those who are going to be faithful with a large task have proved themselves with a small task already. For myself I sometimes wished the Lord would entrust me with more but this passage always forces me back to the question, "how can I be more faithful with what I have?" 

The last verse of this passage is very powerful. It makes me think of even ministry and the church. What the worldly church values might be detestable in God's sight. There are so many inventions of man that work their way into the church. There are so many definitions of success that many use to define their position. We must be very careful not to make the mistake Samuel almost made when he went to anoint the next king of Israel. He saw Jesse's oldest son Eliab he thought - this must be the next king, but God doesn't look simply at the outward appearance. He looks at the heart. Whose definition of success are we using?

One of the reason I do this blog is to daily give myself and others a recalibration. We live in this world and w/out resetting our heart on God each day its very easy for the world's definition of success to drown out God's!

questions

1) Where could you be more motivated and creative to advance the kingdom of God?

2) Is there something you want from God but perhaps he's waiting for you to be faithful with something first? (for example perhaps you want a new job with better pay and benefits but God wants to see you faithful with this job first?)

3) Where might you have been using the wrong definition of success? Ask God to show you this week where you need some recalibration in this area.

prayer