A Word of Encouragement

July 4, 2026

Butchart Gardens, BC - Aug 2001

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

Jesus told His disciples about a wealthy man who had a manager who was squandering his property. When he heard about it, "he summoned him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager." (Luke 16:1-3)

The manager, significantly cut the debts of some of the rich man's debtors so they would look favorably on him after he was fired. The wealthy man complimented the manager for his shrewdness, (Vs. 4-8) and Jesus added,

I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it is all gone, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.
	Luke 16:9

Jesus was NOT saying we can cheat our way into heaven! He was talking about how we handle the blessings God gives us. "The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and the one who is unrighteous in a very little thing is also unrighteous in much." and He asked, "If you can't faithfully use 'unrighteous wealth', who will trust you with true wealth? 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?"

What do we do with the blessings God gives us, whether 'earned' or simply a gift? Do we use them to honor and bring glory to God? Or do we use them to gratify ourselves?

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
	Luke 16:13

As Paul wrote, "Each one of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

What are we doing with what He has given us?

Elohim Chonen - Generous God - help me use Your blessings for Your glory.

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of mankind, so that they may produce food from the earth, and wine, which makes a human heart cheerful, so that he makes his face gleam with oil, and food, which sustains a human heart.
	Psalm 104:14-15

Be a faithful steward,