September 22, Luke

Do you know that the Bible is the best-selling book of all times with an estimated 5 billion copies sold?  Have you ever stopped to think just how miraculous the Bible is?  It is the Word of God, words that show us how to live for His honor and glory.  Whatever types of literature you like to read, it is there: poetry and songs, history, murder, love stories, letters and on and on. Then there are stories of intrigue such as our Gospel lesson for today where it seems that Jesus is praising a dishonest manager.  Really?  We might expect this in a television show or movie, but not from Jesus.

We know, however, from past experience that Jesus uses many types of parable to make His points.  My guess is none of us really like giving an accounting of our money, actions and so forth.  Most feel these things are our private business, and sometimes we, ourselves, don’t really want to take a close look at our own circumstances because reality may hit us in the face, like a bolt of lightning.

Perhaps one of Jesus’ points is that just as the rich man demanded an accounting from his manager, Jesus in the end will demand an accounting of our lives from us.  Jesus is asking each one of us to take an honest look in our own “book of life,” and do an audit of what we are really doing with our life.  How do we spend our time, what do we do with our spiritual gifts, our money, and the many resources that God has blessed each one of us with?  When we look back, do we like what we see, or do we need to make adjustments in our lives.  Are we really living for God, or only for ourselves?

As humans we have a limited focus on life.  I would imagine many are like me.  When I wake up in the morning, I don’t think, is this the day that Christ will come again or the day I will die, or in a flash of a minute, I will have to account for my entire life.  The day of judgment seems far away, and so we don’t really reflect on its’ seriousness.  This quote from T. David Gordan, pretty much says it.  “We are swamped by the inconsequential, bombarded by images and sounds that rob us of the opportunity for reflection and contemplation that are necessary to reacquaint ourselves with what is significant.”

The Bible is clear, however, that how we have lived our lives will eventually be judged.  Have we lived an unrighteous life or a righteous one?  Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

I have personally always admired St. Teresa of Calcutta.  Let me share some of her words with you in regards to the judgment at the end of our lives.  “At the end of our lives we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done.  We will be judged by: I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.  Hungry not only for bread—but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing— but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a home of bricks—but homeless because of rejection.  Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them.

Whether we chose to focus on it or not, there is definitely a relationship between this life and the next, and the choices that we make in this life have consequences in the next.  Yet, Jesus’ point in this parable is that we need to concentrate on how we live our present life.  What are our priorities in life, how do we treat those around us, do we really love our neighbor, and so forth?  The answers to these questions in this world are like a vine growing round and round and connecting to the next world.

God has blessed each one of us with various spiritual gift and with varying amounts of ability.  We each have different talents to use, and God expects us to use them for His glory.  Peter 4:10 tells us that “As each one has received a gift, minister to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  As we review our lives, let us ask ourselves if we have used our given gifts to further God’s kingdom here on earth; have we helped to spread God’s Word?

The good news is that while we are still living, or until Jesus comes again, we have every opportunity to ask God for forgiveness of our sins because of what Jesus did for us on the cross so long ago.  We have every opportunity to examine our lives and change how we live our life right now in the here and now!    The accounting for our lives is not about wrongdoings or even punishment, but about helping us see and turn our lives in the right direction.

Let us leave here this morning remembering that we are beloved children of God.  A God who is loving and full of grace.  A God who wants only the best from each of us.  May we work to make our lives a living testimony to our God!