Scripture
Vs. 7 “Why, even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Vs. 35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning…”
Vs. 42 “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?'”
Vs. 48 “… Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Observation
Jesus has been giving his followers many teachings and lessons, but chapter 12 here is even more full of warnings.
Three warnings, in particular stand out:
warnings against greed, warnings against worry, and warnings against being lazy.
Why not be greedy? Because God loves us and provides for us.
Why not worry? Because God loves us, created us, and cares for us.
Why not be lazy? Again, because God loves us and knows what’s best for us.
He knows our contentedness, our fulfillment of purpose will only happen when we live a life that honors our Creator, our Master, our Lord.
Application
Three words come to mind as I read Luke 12.
Valuable, Responsible, and Accountable
I am Valuable! Why? Because I did not create myself.
I’m created by the perfect Creator and in His own image!
He knows more about me that I know about myself.
He values me and, therefore, I should value myself, not worry about myself!
I am also Responsible! Why? Because God has entrusted me to be!
I must be a wise steward, manager of the family he has given me,
the work he has given me, the ministry he has given me, the relationships he has given me, and on and on.
I must recognize in this, though: He is the Master, I am the steward.
I think I can often find tension in these attributes of “Valuable” and “Responsible”,
I can reverse the order from God’s intentions and purposes.
It’s easy in “my culture” for me to think the more I am responsible for …
larger family, larger business, larger ministry, then the more valuable I am.
It’s so easy for me to get caught up in the way the world thinks.
But that’s not the way of God’s kingdom!
No! Value doesn’t stem from Responsibility.
My Value comes from my Creator. God!
I am valuable before I am responsible for anything at all!
God knows the number of my hairs!
This is an amazing thought to wake up to each morning.
And it’s a thought that can eliminate worry!
But God does give me Responsibility.
And what stems from responsibility? … Accountability!
God will hold me accountable to what He has entrusted me with.
And how can I best be responsible?
Treat every relationship that I’m responsible for like God treats me.
Treat others as being created in the same image of the same loving God that I’m created in.
And if I do this, then I should welcome the accountability of a loving and just Judge.
Prayer
God, thank you for being the loving Creator you are.
Thank you for seeing me as valuable.
Thank you for treating me as responsible.
And thank you for holding me accountable.
Help me to show your light and your love to all those I encounter today.
In Jesus name,
Amen.