30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 16 1-13 God's Regents 05 Having abundance for every good work
📖 Luke 16:1-13
24Mar2020 - *Having abundance for every good work* - _Luke 16:1-13_ - Bible reading: _II Corinthians 9:6-15_
_Luke 16:9 "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home._
The Lord is calling us to make friends by unrighteous mammon. What was the meaning of this instruction from our Lord?
Yesterday, we looked at the virus of unrighteous mammon. The infection of the virus of unrighteous mammon has fatal consequences and will cause us to wander away from our faith in Jesus.
The infection of unrighteous mammon has consequences both within the church and outside. What is it that happens within the church due to the infection of unrighteous mammon? _Titus 1:11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain._ Wrong teaching and subversion of the truth of God’s word are happening in the church. Underneath this dreadful condition is the virus of unrighteous mammon.
What does of love money do to a nation? Love of money causes perversion of truth and justice, which leads to chaos. _Ezekiel 13:19 And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?" Micah 7:3-4 That they may successfully do evil with both hands— The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together. (4) The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity._
This being what it is with unrighteous mammon, Jesus instructs us to make friends by this evil virus.
Let us understand that all of us have money. Some of us have more and some have less. *It is not money that is evil*. It is when money becomes our desire that it then becomes a virus that destroys us. The antidote to deal with this virus is to be a cheerful giver. _II Corinthians 9:6-15_ is an important passage to study so that we can learn to give.
Friends are made as we practice cheerful giving. _II Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (7) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver._
The Lord is teaching us to hold the money that we have, in responsible, but open hands. _II Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an *abundance for every good work*._
*Thought to ponder*
```May we be rich in good works in this time of crisis.```