God First: The Call to Undivided Loyalty
Reflection on Luke 16:1–13
Today’s Gospel from Luke 16:1–13 presents one of Jesus’ most puzzling parables: the Parable of the Dishonest Steward. At first glance, it seems like Jesus is praising dishonesty. A steward is caught squandering his master’s goods and, realizing he’s about to lose his job, he reduces the debts of his master’s debtors to win their favor. Surprisingly, the master commends him—not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness.
Let’s be clear: Jesus is not telling us to be dishonest. What He is telling us is that we should be as diligent and clever in the pursuit of God’s Kingdom as the world is in the pursuit of wealth, power, or security.
The steward knew he was about to lose everything, and so he acted decisively. He made a plan, took action, and secured his future. Jesus challenges us to ask: Are we that intentional about our spiritual lives? Do we prepare for eternity with the same urgency and cleverness that we devote to our careers, finances, or personal success?
Jesus says, “The children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” That’s a wake-up call. As Christians—children of light—we’re called to live with purpose and foresight. We cannot be passive or indifferent when it comes to our faith.
Then Jesus delivers a powerful line:
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.”
This is a key principle in the spiritual life. God often tests us with small responsibilities to prepare us for greater ones. It’s in the quiet moments—how we treat others, how we spend our time, how we use our money—that our faithfulness is revealed.
It’s easy to wait for “big” moments to show our love for God. But the truth is, God is found in the small, everyday choices: the kindness extended to a stranger, the patience with a child, the time spent in prayer when no one else sees. These “little things” shape our souls.
Jesus concludes by saying, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” In other words, you have to choose your master. "Mammon" represents wealth, but more broadly, it’s anything we put before God—our comfort, pride, status, or even our fears. We can’t live a double life. We can't say we serve God if our hearts are owned by something else.
This Gospel invites us to examine our priorities. What drives our decisions? Who really is our master? Are we using the gifts God has given us—our time, our talents, our resources—for His glory, or just for our own gain?
Key Takeaway:
God wants our full attention and loyalty. True discipleship means putting Him first—even in the smallest decisions of our lives.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for entrusting us with the gifts of life, time, and resources. Teach us to be faithful stewards in all things, big and small. Help us to live each day with purpose, seeking Your Kingdom above all else. Free our hearts from attachment to anything that draws us away from You. May we always serve You as our one true Master.Amen.
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