MONEY IS THE LOWEST TEST OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.

TEXT:

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16 verse 10, King James Version).

The parable of the unjust steward as told by the Lord Jesus in Luke chapter 16 is one that has a whole lot of lessons for us to learn from. The parable is about the attitude of the unjust steward with regards that which was entrusted to his care by his master.

     Generally speaking, a steward is one that is employed and entrusted with the management of the wealth of the master's household. He determines what and how much is spent for the care of the family. Usually, his duties include the supervision of other servants, collection of revenues and keeping of accounts. The Bible calls us ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1st Corinthians 4 verse 1).

    What many don't know is that money belongs to God (see Haggai 2 verse 8). In other words, what we possess in life is given to us in trust for God, including our money. That being the case, it's important that we know that as stewards, we should be faithful because we would be called to give account someday. The Bible in 1st Corinthians 4 verse 2 informs us as follows:

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

    Like I said earlier, the crux of the parable under consideration is about the steward's unfaithfulness with money and in that regard, the Lord Jesus' statement about him is that "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."       

     Here, the Lord Jesus gives us to understand that money is the least  or the lowest level of stewardship. It's unfortunate that people don't understand this to be so. Today, the devil has cunningly and falsely turned that which is "least" to become that which is highest in the estimation of men.

    Now, according to kingdom principles, if money is least among riches and we can’t trust God with our finances, how can we trust Him in greater things like our health, security or eternal destiny? If we don’t have enough faith to trust God to give from our substances, then how can that faith get us healing or a place in heaven when our lives expire here on earth?

    Understand that your willingness or unwillingness to part with your money speaks volumes about your faith in the Lord. Truth is that your money represents you. You can't say you have faith in God for salvation, etc, when you lack faith to part with that which is least among riches.

The Lord Jesus said "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16 verse 11)

      I repeat, if you don't have enough faith to trust God with your money, how do you have faith to trust Him with your life, your health or what have you? Someone has rightly said that "Money is the entry level of faithfulness. Financial stewardship is the very least expression of faithfulness to God. It’s like the bottom rung of a ladder. You can’t go any higher if you don’t take that first step." (Andrew Wommac). I concur!

     As you learn to give willingly to God, you are in effect expressing your faithfulness to Him as a steward of the blessings He has bestowed upon you. This will not only bring you joy, but will also serve as a precursor to further blessings from Him, in Jesus name.

PRAYER:

Lord, I open up all of my possessions for your use, in Jesus name.