Wise Christians

[WalterandDebbie]

Saturday 10-23-21 Cheshvan 16, 5782 7th. day of the weekly cycle, 32nd. Fall Day

Our Daily Bread Ministries Today 23 October 2021 Devotional – Wise Christians

Our Daily Bread Ministries Today 23 October 2021 Devotional Message By (Mike Wittmer) Our Daily Bread Ministries

Click To Read Previous ODB Devotional Message

TOPIC: Wise Christians

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:1–9

KEY VERSE: The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. – Luke 16:8

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 1–2; 1 Timothy 3

TODAY’S INSIGHT: The main character in the story Jesus told in Luke 16:1–8 is referred to as a “manager.” The word translated “manager” is oikonómos. Such persons were in charge of household affairs (to include finances, servants, children, flocks, and fields).

Though English translations don’t necessarily reflect this, words derived from this root word appear seven times in this passage, including what’s translated “my job” in verses 3 and 4. In 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 and Titus 1:7, Paul uses oikonómos to refer to Christian leaders. Peter uses the term to refer to believers in Jesus in general (1 Peter 4:10).

Each has been entrusted with gifts and responsibilities for which we’re accountable to God. Wisely using these gifts and responsibilities goes with good stewardship.

Our Daily Bread Ministries Today 23 October 2021 Devotional Message
The coronavirus pandemic resulted in canceled schools around the world. In China, teachers responded with DingTalk, a digital app that enabled class to be held online. Then their students figured out that if DingTalk’s rating fell too low, it might be removed from the App Store. Overnight, thousands of one-star reviews dropped DingTalk’s score.

Jesus wouldn’t be impressed with the students shirking their responsibilities, but He might admire their ingenuity. He told an unusual story about a fired manager who on his final day slashed the bills of his master’s debtors. Jesus didn’t praise the manager’s dishonesty. Rather He commended his cleverness and wished His followers would be equally shrewd:

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

Our Daily Bread (odb.org)

https://odb.org/video

LOL, Walter and Debbie

 

[Ferris Bueller]

The interesting point is, Jesus is wanting us to be generous with what he has entrusted to us. It reflects good on him, as well as you the servant. It's amazing what giving away or spending $5.00 on another person does in a world where nobody gives away 5 bucks for nothing. When you do that you immediately distinguish yourself from the crowd and win a person over. Try it sometime. And I don't think Jesus is only talking about money. When you go above and beyond natural expectation in anything, people notice. And they wonder why you're doing it. It's a great witness.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Saturday 10-23-21 Cheshvan 16, 5782 7th. day of the weekly cycle, 32nd. Fall Day

Our Daily Bread Ministries Today 23 October 2021 Devotional – Wise Christians

Our Daily Bread Ministries Today 23 October 2021 Devotional Message By (Mike Wittmer) Our Daily Bread Ministries

Click To Read Previous ODB Devotional Message

TOPIC: Wise Christians

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:1–9

KEY VERSE: The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. – Luke 16:8

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 1–2; 1 Timothy 3

TODAY’S INSIGHT: The main character in the story Jesus told in Luke 16:1–8 is referred to as a “manager.” The word translated “manager” is oikonómos. Such persons were in charge of household affairs (to include finances, servants, children, flocks, and fields).

Though English translations don’t necessarily reflect this, words derived from this root word appear seven times in this passage, including what’s translated “my job” in verses 3 and 4. In 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 and Titus 1:7, Paul uses oikonómos to refer to Christian leaders. Peter uses the term to refer to believers in Jesus in general (1 Peter 4:10).

Each has been entrusted with gifts and responsibilities for which we’re accountable to God. Wisely using these gifts and responsibilities goes with good stewardship.

Our Daily Bread Ministries Today 23 October 2021 Devotional Message
The coronavirus pandemic resulted in canceled schools around the world. In China, teachers responded with DingTalk, a digital app that enabled class to be held online. Then their students figured out that if DingTalk’s rating fell too low, it might be removed from the App Store. Overnight, thousands of one-star reviews dropped DingTalk’s score.

Jesus wouldn’t be impressed with the students shirking their responsibilities, but He might admire their ingenuity. He told an unusual story about a fired manager who on his final day slashed the bills of his master’s debtors. Jesus didn’t praise the manager’s dishonesty. Rather He commended his cleverness and wished His followers would be equally shrewd:

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

Our Daily Bread (odb.org)

https://odb.org/video

LOL, Walter and Debbie

By the way, this is one of my all time favorite passages of scripture.
I found that people can see only the money aspect of the teaching. But it's actually a teaching about forgiveness. With that in mind, be generous with what your Master has given you. You will 'win friends and influence people', and you will please your Master, and your reward will be great.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Be generous with the riches of God's forgiveness that he has given you. You can't forgive all that people owe God. They'll have to settle the full amount with the Master himself. But you can forgive whatever trespass you can forgive and they will praise the Master who's wealth you have been entrusted with.