Daily Readings - Fri Nov 08 2024
Philippians
17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Luke
1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.2So 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.'3"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--4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'6"'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'7"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.'8"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.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our Christian journey. The first reading from Philippians urges us to stand firm in our faith, imitating the example of Paul and other faithful believers. Paul warns against those who are consumed by earthly desires, reminding us that our true citizenship is in heaven. The second reading, the parable of the dishonest steward from Luke, teaches us about prudence and wisdom in managing the resources entrusted to us. The steward, though unrighteous, acts shrewdly to secure his future, prompting Jesus to encourage us to be as clever in our spiritual lives as we are in worldly matters.
Both readings emphasize the importance of focus and wisdom. Paul cautions against being earthly-minded, while Jesus highlights the need for prudent use of resources. The steward’s actions, though morally questionable, illustrate the kind of foresight we should have in serving God. This connection reminds us that our earthly actions should reflect our heavenly aspirations. Just as the steward used his resources to gain favor, we should use our talents, time, and money to build eternal treasures.
In applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to live with an eternal perspective. We must be wise stewards of all that God has given us, using these gifts to glorify Him and serve others. Let us strive to be as intentional in our spiritual lives as we are in our worldly pursuits, ensuring that our actions today reflect our ultimate goal of heaven. By doing so, we embody the wisdom and faithfulness that both readings inspire, living as children of light in a world that often prioritizes the fleeting over the eternal.