Rogate Tuesday - Devotion in Exile

Lection for Rogate Tuesday
Numbers 9:1-23      Luke 16:1-18

In our reading from Luke, Jesus says the following, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” (vv. 10-11)

We do what Jesus suggests here on a regular basis. Before allowing children the use of certain things we make sure they are responsible with a very little, before allowing them to be faithful with much.

Jesus is talking about a very little and much – unrighteous wealth and true riches. Do you get what Jesus is stating is “a very little”? It is the same to which Jesus refers as unrighteous wealth? Do you know what it is?

The hint comes in the next verses further in our Gospel. “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (vv. 12-13)

Are you faithful in a very little? Are you faithful with unrighteous wealth? Are you faithful with what is another’s? In other words, are you faithful in regard to worldly wealth? Are you faithful in regard to the possessions and income.

Worldly possession and wealth are only a very little, for they are insignificant in comparison to the riches of the kingdom of heaven. Worldly possessions and wealth are unrighteous wealth, for everybody has some, even unbelievers. It is the stuff which makes life in the world of the flesh happen, it is not necessarily tied to the things of holiness, righteousness, and eternity.

Furthermore, even worldly possession and wealth are not the personal possessions of any mortal being but are gifts from God for all mankind to use in this life. God gives to each of us such things of His – things of this world – to use for the benefit of our neighbor and to the glory of God.

So, are you faithful in a very little – do you serve God or mammon?

Worldly things are very enticing; a few extra dollars, or things those dollars can buy – the wealth of this world is tempting.  Some are so jealous for what is theirs, that the screaming needs of those around them go unheeded and un-helped. Some are so busily caught up in the pursuit of the “things” they want, that they have lost sight of the very fact that all they have is a gift from God – gifts to be used for the benefit of our neighbor, including our own family – and to the glory of God.

Who is it that gave us all that we have? God! He gave us the talents and abilities to do all that we do, and has promised to provide all that we need. As He promised this, we should seek His kingdom and His righteousness as our primary concern.

God looked down upon us, saw us selfish and disobedient, and held what back from us?  Nothing! God gave to you His only begotten Son. For your selfish seeking of ways to get out of generously giving back to God what He has given to you – and for your selfish ways of providing for yourself without sharing with even your closest neighbors – yes, for you sinful pre-occupation with money and the possessions of this world, God sent His own Son.

Christ held nothing back. He did not give 10% of Himself, or even 99.999% of Himself and say, “OK, I got you partway out of sin, now get yourself the rest of the way out.” Christ gave everything to you – even His very life. For you, Jesus gave His own flesh unto the rod, the scourger’s whip, abuse, shame, humiliation, a crown of thorns, and the cruel pain of death being nailed to the cross. God gave 100% of Himself, even His very life, that you might be forgiven for your unfaithfulness in the use of a very little.

So, are you faithful in a very little? Are you faithful with the possessions of this life which God has given you? Have you, with your possessions, loved God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength? Have you, with your possessions, loved your neighbor as yourself? 

You and I have not been faithful, we have been sinfully selfish with all that has been given to us.

Did you expect a positive response? With what have we ever been completely faithful to God? Nothing! 

And yet, God is faithful to us. Let us rephrase the questions I asked at the very beginning. Dear friends, was Jesus faithful in a very little? Was Jesus faithful with unrighteous wealth?  Was Jesus faithful with what is another’s?  In other words, was Jesus faithful in regard to worldly wealth?  Was Jesus faithful in regard to His possessions and income?

You are the wealth to which Jesus was faithful – even faithful unto death. You are the precious possession of the Father which He entrusted to the care of His only begotten Son, and that Son was faithful to redeem you. So it was that the Father gives you to His Son as His most prized possession – as His very own. And the Son gave Himself to purchase you with the price of His very own precious blood.

Jesus came into the world, for it was the world which had ensnared you. He endured temptation, the very luring seductions of the things of this world, and the Son set His eyes only upon righteousness, the true wealth of eternal life – not for Himself, but for you. He did this in order that He might free you from that which ensnared you and to give to you the true riches – eternal riches – the wealth of a heavenly kingdom.

You are entrusted with true riches, the Word of forgiveness proclaimed into your ears. It is the gift which gives you the kingdom of heaven. Hear it! You are forgiven for you selfish preoccupation with a very little.

You are entrusted with true riches, you are given the very body of your Lord to eat and the very blood He shed, to drink, for the forgiveness of your sins and to grant you eternal life and salvation.

You are entrusted with true riches, these are the wealthiest gifts ever purchased, paid for with the very life of the Son of God. Receive them, hear them, eat and drink them, that is the purpose for which they are given to you. They are yours, now and forevermore.

Let us pray:    Grant to Your children, good stewardship, that recognizing that all they have is a gift from above, they would, with thankful hearts, faithfully use their time, talents, and treasures in support of their congregations, and be eager to share their blessings with those in need. Amen.