The parable of the Dishonest Manager in today’s lesson (Luke 16:1-18) is a classic example of a parable as a puzzle.

• Jesus’ enemies heard it and discarded this puzzle in disgust: “What! Is Jesus commending dishonesty?”
• Jesus’ followers heard a story, easy to remember, that challenges them, “In what way should I be like a dishonest manager?”

The parable concludes with a verse that can guide the use of every resource that God has entrusted to us: “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” The video devotion recorded several years ago uses this verse to give us a godly perspective on all our earthly possessions. 

It is related to our mission statement: By every possible means we bring every person within our area of influence closer to Christ. As I apply that mission statement to my life, I want every interaction that I have with someone...

• whether it is the close interactions we have with family or
• the multiple interactions we have with coworkers, or
• the short, one-time interaction I have with a person standing in line next to me... 

I want every interaction to be a reflection of Christ's love.

The same is true of the financial resources God has placed at my disposal. I want every dollar to go toward one goal... to make friends for eternity, that people see the way I use my financial resources as a reflection of the Savior's love.

• That will include a generous, proportionate offering to support gospel ministry and care for those less fortunate, 
• My use of finances as I show love to my family members and care for their needs,
• My use of finances as I provide for my own needs so that I can be refreshed and strong to be a servant to those around me. 

Yes, Lord, use everything that I am and have to share your love. 

Christ's love compels us. For we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all that those who live no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Our Old Testament reading
 
Our reading of Psalms 8-12 reminds me of a question raised by a seminary professor about the psalms: “Why did the person assembling the psalms put them together in this order?”

As I read this section, a theme that I see is that God’s child can often feel forgotten and unimportant in God’s sight. The question arises in our hearts, “Has God forgotten me?”

• Psalm 8 reminds us of our importance to God and lifts our eyes to the Son of Man.
• Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint (ancient Greek translation) they constitute one psalm. Psalm 9 exudes confidence. The LORD is enthroned as King. Psalm 10 laments that the wicked prosper. “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?” The psalm ends with this confession of faith and hope: The LORD is King for ever and ever... You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted;
• Psalm 11 asks, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The world is falling apart. God where are you? The answer: “The upright will see His face.”
• In Psalm 12, the LORD assures us that he hears our cries. “I will protect them.” And his Word and promise are certain. “The words of the LORD are flawless.”

The second half of the video introduction talks about “gender inclusive language.” This isn't a bad term. The English language has changed in the way it uses the male pronouns. Most people do not hear the male pronoun as the "common" or "gender neutral" pronoun that it once was. Click here to begin the devotion at that commentary as it relates to the term “son of man." Below and attached is a comparison of the NIV 1984 and the NIV 2011 translations of Psalm 8 to help you see the issue that I speak about in the devotion. 

May God bless your reading of His flawless Word. The LORD will never forget you. May we use all that God has entrusted to us to share this comfort with others. Amen.