The One Year New Testament

July 2

Luke 16:1-13

Luke 16:1-13

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection

The teaching that we cannot serve two masters (Luke 16:13) warns us of being double-minded —or, we might say, double-hearted (cf. James 1:8; 4:8). This requires us to allow the values of God’s kingdom to shape our own. This kind of discipleship is not easy or popular (Luke 13:24) because it challenges us to consider the true desires of our hearts. Following Christ is foundationally about what we love and worship. We cannot serve both God and the wealth this world offers.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Reflection

Considering the conflict that Paul and his companions encountered while preaching the gospel at Philippi (Acts 16:19–24), Paul wants to make it clear that they should not be motivated in their ministry by a desire for human approval (1 Thess. 2:4; cf. Gal. 1:10). He never tried to deceive the Thessalonians with words of flattery or with any other message that attempted to get money, fame, or glory from people, or to advance his own power over them (1 Thess. 2:3, 5–6).

When we trust God and his gospel to do the powerful work God promises, our gospel ministry will never be in vain (v. 1). Moreover, we will not feel the need to deceive, make demands, or be hostile. On the contrary, we will feel the freedom to be gentle (v. 7) and respectful in our declaration and defense of the gospel (1 Pet. 3:15). Although Paul sought to please God and not man, he also understood the importance of living in a Christlike way before the eyes of the watching world. When we live as imitators of Christ (1 Thess. 1:6), we will not live hypocritically but authentically. This is why Paul acts like a loving father (2:11) and nursing mother (v. 7), and lovingly charges the Thessalonian believers to walk in a manner worthy of the God who has called us into his own kingdom and glory.

Psalm 49:10-15

Psalm 49:10-15

10 For he sees that even the wise die;
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever,
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they called lands by their own names.
12 Man in his pomp will not remain;
he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah

Thoughts For Prayer

We need God’s help in order to desire him more than money. Ask him to keep your heart captivated by his glory so that you do not secretly lust for the deceitful beauty of riches.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • July 2, 2024

    Supported Workers: Church Plant Training Ministry in Asia

    Countries:

    Pray for the upcoming English as a Second Language course that began July 1. Pray for the Lord to give them faithful and deserving interns. Pray for the Lord’s continual hand to lead and sustain the work of the organization in sharing the Word.

    Guinea (Africa). Population: 14,528, 770 Believers: 0.7%. The Church declined around 15 years ago. Evangelism and church planting slowed down, and less-committed Christians left the faith. 43% of the population are under age 15. Pray for believers who will persevere and pray against the enemy who seeks to destroy young or weak Christians before they can grow. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org