Not Lord at all

“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.”Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse comes at the end of a parable about the poor man Lazarus and the rich man.  Lazarus would have had a terrible life laying at the gates of the rich man. Yet, in death, he was in the comforting arms of Abraham. The rich man also died and was in hell in torment. He was behaving like a rich man, attempting to control his environment asking a Abraham if Lazarus could dip his finger in cold water and put it on his tongue. Abraham said ‘Not possible’. He then asked if Lazarus could go and warn his brothers. Again Abraham denied his request. 

We might control our world here on earth but in death it is a different story. Eternity is forever and ever. We have lost control once our last breath is taken. Do not fool yourself. You are not Lord of all, in fact you are not Lord at all. Amen!

A just God

““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 God and be enslaved to money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is interesting that those who love money scoff at the idea that they serve money, however, they do not deceive anyone. The Pharisees paraded themselves around in fine clothing, they were, as a group, generally proud of their status. Jesus saw right through them. His parables poked holes in their veneer.

Jesus chose a humble lifestyle and yet He was the Lord of Lords. He had every right to exalt Himself, yet, He humbled Himself to the place of a servant.

I am reading a story about two men who received an inheritance. One loves his father and was humbled by what he received, the other was ruthless and proud and all his new found wealth did nothing for his status. The latter pursued the former to take what he had received, ever willing to kill him. This man will have a bad end.

Our God is a just God and He will determine the final end. The ruthless, arrogant and proud will come to no good, eternity is a very long time.!they may appear to be winning here on earth but God rules in eternity. Amen!

Worldly wealth

“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. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Accusations have been levelled at Nepali pastors saying they take what was meant for the poor to squander on themselves with fancy homes, cars etc. as in the west, not all pastors are greedy for gain, it is that the few tar the whole with them corrupt image.

The congregations also are withholding the tithe in the west, claiming greater need for self. We all are responsible for the wealth God gives us. We are His stewards. I remember watching. T D Jake’s oodcast once where he addressed this issue. He said many are in debt to credit cards because people buy the trendiest shoes and clothes, not realising their problem.

What causes us to be unfaithful in finances? A lust for more than we have. James addresses this:

“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 Why do we want more? Our eyes are in the wrong place. Perhaps we are ‘window shopping online’ causing lusts and greed to arise, perhaps our neighbour has what we want and we are envious?

The reward

“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus had been telling a parable about a rich man who discovered his employee had been wasting his master’s money. The the rich man had decided to fire the manager and the manager, realistic about his own inabilities, organised a scheme to win friends. People who owed the rich man money the manager arranged for them to lessen their bill.

Jesus praised the manager as beign shrewd. He even said what the lesson was: use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends so that when your resources run out you have friends to go to.

The interesting thing here is that the manager actually used his master’s resources to win the friends. He was still dismissed. He, in fact, had robbed his employer.

What can we learn from this? As a Christian I have learned to treat my resources as the Lord’s. This does not mean I give them all away but use them as wisely as possible, giving where He directs. Being generous ensures I am watered with the same level of generosity. As I sow I will reap. He takes care of the reward.

A man’s view of his father

“I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 This excerpt is from the parable about the Prodigal son. This son displays two views of his father, both of them wrong: 1) his father existed for his own provision and pleasure

                      2) his father ruled his world fairly towards his servants but would no longer consider him as a son.

The father’s response was totally magnanimous. Grace plus oozed from his pores.

The older brother also had an erroneous view of his father. He considered his father to be a strict father who would not generously bless him. He expected his lot was to work hard and receive the inheritance when his father died.

Neither son had a good relationship with his father. He was a mere provider. However, both came to see their father in a different light. He was loving and full of generous forgiveness, and willingness to bless.

What is your view of Father God? Does it need revising? Read the whole story and discover Him for yourself. Amen!

The return

“In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus had just told the parable about the woman who lost one of ten coins. She swept the house clean and when she found it called her neighbours to celebrate.

We may not relate to this parable regarding coins as they are not really of importance in todays digital age. However, a better example would be an engagement ring or some precious item of jewellery. We also do not live in tight knit communities in the west. However, Nepal still has these. Every evening, if you happen to be out ‘roaming’ you will see men, women and children sitting outside talking to neighbours ( children are often playing soccer or cricket). In such a community the loss of paisa (money) would be relevant and the story told.

To God the loss of a child, a son or a daughter is a sad event, but the joy of their return is a cause for celebration. To love the Lord is to care for those He cares for and to reach out to them.

Today is Father’s Day in America, today fathers will be longing for their children to return to them. May forgiveness flow today. Amen!

Lost sheep

“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The closest I’ve come to losing a sheep is losing a dog. Pet dogs have become very precious to us Westerners. I’ve also noticed this occurring to younger people in Nepal. In my block of flats a young couple liver below me. They have spaniel which has it ears decorated with yellow bows. A few days ago it went missing. I was concerned as the neighbourhood is home to many street dogs, many of whom would make short work of the pretty pooch. Fortunately it was recovered alive. My landlord’s grandsons love this dog also.

When my siblings and I were growing up, our dad brought home a sheep for a pet. As this sheep we called Barbie grew, it consumed my mother’s roses and became somewhat a nuisance. Eventually my dad returned it to the man who gave it to us.

 I am grateful the Lord does not rid Himself of us when we are being a pest. Quite the opposite, He, aware of our foolishness, gave up His own life to save us from our sins. He also hunts for us when we are lost.

We are blessed indeed. Amen!