DAY 62
Marc Turnage
Scripture
Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
“‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’
“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 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 16:1-9
The purpose of this parable is all about how we treat those who have debts to God. Though Jesus hung out with people who didn’t behave the way He did, He never let their behavior change Him; but He saw His presence as an opportunity to bring God’s mercy and love into their spheres.
If we are only hanging out with people who think like us, are we being the conduits of God’s mercy to those outside of our sphere? It may be that the reason why a person has walked away from faith has nothing to do with God and more to do with their encounters with those who say they follow God.
Question: Who are you taking the moral high ground with? What would it look like for you to leave the high ground and extend compassion to that person this week?
Family Chat: When we are young we have to be careful that most of our time is spent with people who will make us more like Jesus, but we still need to spend time with people who need to know Jesus. Who do you hang out with? Do you spend time only with those who are like you, or only those who aren't?
Take Action: Talk with your group about an adjustment you will make to be a better conduit of God’s mercy to others, especially those who don’t know Him.
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