Luke 16 - 9.16.25

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 16:9  "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."  

OBSERVATION:  I wasn't sure exactly what this Scripture meant, but according to 'Got Questions', "Jesus is not saying that believers should gain wealth dishonestly and then be generous with it.  We are to use our worldly resources to benefit others and make friends.  Just as the dishonest manager in the parable was shrewd in benefitting himself materially, so we should be shrewd in benefiting ourselves and others spiritually.  When we give to missions, support our local church, or meet the needs of others, we are using "unrighteous, worldly wealth" to build up the kingdom of God and lift up the name of Jesus.  We are being shrewd in our dealings in this world when our eyes are on the "eternal homes" we will one day inhabit with our "friends" in Christ."

While Jesus was telling the parable of the shrewd manager, He included the verse above.  The parable of the unjust steward is told for the benefit of the disciples.  In this parable the characters are both wicked - the steward as well as his manager.  

Jesus used this parable to teach a spiritual principle.  After the rich man discovered that his manager was being dishonest with his possessions, he knew it was time to remove him from his job.  Once the manager found out his job was going to be taken away, he made the shrewd decision to go around and reduce the debt of all who owed his master.  He did this so he would have friends to run to after he had no job.  Believe it or not, when the rich man heard about what his manager had done to him, he commended him!  He had just been ripped off big time, so why in the world would he commend the manager?  (Two bad minds think alike!).    

In His application of the story, Jesus says, "For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light."  Here Jesus contrasts the "sons of the world (the unbelievers) to the "sons of light" (believers).  (GotQuestions).

APPLICATION:  Jesus encourages His followers to be good, honest stewards with our money, time, resources and possessions.  We are to be generous givers with the wealth He has given us.  We are not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but we are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.  For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:19). 

PRAYER:  I thank You God for everything You have provided for me to live on this earth.  I pray I will be a generous giver to be able to meet the needs of others.  I pray first and foremost that I will be faithful to give back to You what You have required of me,  (10 percent of our income).  Since everything we have belongs to You, how gracious You are to only require 10 percent of our income back to You!  I pray after we tithe that Anthony and I will be faithful to look for ways to use our resources to be a blessing to others.  There's something so amazing that happens when we tithe!  You have promised that when we do, You will open up the heavens and pour out blessings that we will not be able to contain!   Both Anthony and I have put our trust in You regarding tithing since 1980, and we have experienced countless ways throughout the years how You have provided over and over again for us!   And...we have discovered that it is impossible to out give You!  May we be faithful to give what belongs to You, and be generous to the ones who You prompt us to give to.  I pray we will continue to put You first in our lives, AND in our finances, and I thank You for the wonderful promise You gave us that says,  "If we seek You first and Your righteousness, all the things we need will be given to us".  (Matthew 6:33) Amen

- Robin Orefice

Luke 15 - 9.15.25

Scripture

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.””

Observation

In this passage, Jesus is found teaching large crowds of people. Amongst the crowd were tax collectors and notorious sinners listening to Jesus’ teachings. This made the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law uneasy. How could Jesus associate with such sinful people? Why would Jesus even want to sit down and break bread with them? Jesus knew the Pharisees and religious leaders’ thoughts, so he told them 3 parables to help them better understand God’s unconditional love for all and His desire for all to repent from their sinful ways and turn to Him.

Application

God’s love is for everyone.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”-John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ 

Did you catch that? God loves everyone-(the whole world)! His free gift of salvation is for anyone who believes and puts their faith in Him.

You know, we could bad mouth the Pharisees and the religious leaders in this passage all we want. But if we’re honest with ourselves, how many of us can sometimes do the same thing? I know I can be guilty of it. We see a dirty, homeless person on the street. We may cross to the other side of the street to avoid contact. Or you see a guy with all these tattoos and piercings over his body, and you’re already disqualifying him from hearing the Good News because you think, “He’s not into that. He’ll probably yell at me and tell me to go away.” The point is that sometimes we can be too comfortable hanging out with “our own kind of people.” We only want to share the Good News with people who look “safe”, who look polite. We will automatically disqualify people from hearing the Good News about Jesus because they don’t look or dress a certain way. This passage reminds me exactly that the gospel message is for everyone. That Jesus came to this earth, and did what He did, not just for the rich and educated, but for the poor and needy. Jesus didn’t create social boundaries between Himself and others. He went out into the world and taught, touched, healed, and loved EVERYONE He came in contact with. Jesus’ attitude and actions towards others inspire me, and hopefully inspire us all, to go out there and do the same. 

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for “playing it safe”, and holding onto Your gospel message to only certain people. Forgive me for pre-judging and disqualifying others from hearing Your message before even trying. I know You came for all. I know You died for all. And I know You love us all. Help me to share Your message with all. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi 

Luke 12 - 9.12.25

Scripture: Luke 12:27-31

27 Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Observation

Jesus is speaking with his disciples and he is encouraging them not to worry about their lives and material things. That God loves them so much, much more than the birds and the flowers and he takes care of them. Our lives are much more than food and our body is much more than clothing. He is encouraging them to seek His Kingdom FIRST, then all these things will be given to them.

Application

God has walked me through so many things in my life and when I sit and remember how He showed up and supplied all my needs…it brings me to my knees. When my husband Michael passed away, I could not afford to live alone in my house (Mobile Home). I had too many bills and could not see a way to pay them all. But I did not lose heart, I was in the Word every day, praying scripture over my life. I was praising and thanking Him ahead of time for what he was going to do for me. I stood on these scriptures and reminded God that if he could take care of the birds and the flowers, then how much more he would take care of me. I would remind God every day that I was the “Apple of His Eye” and that He had Good Plans for me. I would recite Jeremiah 29:11 every day. (11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future). I would not allow myself to look at my circumstances, I would just Thank God for His Faithfulness. Day by day God showed up in miraculous ways…money would show up in the mail, God opened the door to have an older man stay in one of my other bedrooms and help with my expenses. My homeless son received a debit card for groceries but couldn’t use very much of it because he had no where to prepare the food. I went and got all the food and then I would make meals for me and take him meals. I even had enough to make extra to help the older man who was living in my house.

I found myself waking up every day excited to see what God was going to do today! One of my favorite verses I used to recite…

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJ) - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

I also had so much Joy bubbling up out of me during that time…I laid all my cares and worries on the Lord and He took care of me!

Prayer

Dear Lord, I can never thank you enough for always walking me through these hard trials of my life. You have never left me or forsaken me and you keep your promises to me. Help me to always Trust You in all things and KNOW that You love me more than the birds and the flowers and You will do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think. You deserve all my praise and worship! You are an Awesome God! Amen

 - Michelle Craig