We are called to win souls for the Kingdom of God by using the power of wealth, the acquisition of which is quite often through dishonest means, in order to help those who are less fortunate that ourselves. In doing so, when we die we will receive a welcome in the Kingdom of God.
In Luke chapter 16 verses 1-9 and 19-31 we read two parables one is about the crafty steward and the second about the rich man and Lazarus. The second throws light on the first and enables us to understand what Jesus means in verse 9 when He says,
****************************
Luke 16:9
9And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.
It is considered quite prudent when a man spends all his time and leisure on his business trying to make a profit and amass wealth. Often a man will spend all his waking hours planning and plotting the ways and means by which he can expand his business and extract the maximum profit. Using even dishonest means maybe to increase his wealth. In the same way Jesus wants Christians to be just as zealous when it comes to working for the Kingdom of God. In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus we see that if the former had helped the latter even in a small way, he would have pleaded to God for mercy for the rich man. In the same manner if we help the less fortunate, we can expect them also to intercede for us.
Christians are called to have the same zeal and enthusiasm, energy and self denial as people who sacrifice everything of value to build up a fortune. Many are prepared to sacrifice spiritual development for a spiritual one. The rich must give to the poor, if they do, they will enter into eternal life.
No comments:
Post a Comment