Who is God like? Vv. 3-8- The manager called together his master’s debtors and showed grace by reducing their debts, but surprisingly the owner praised what seemed like fraud by his servant. He did not just praise the intelligent move of the servant to escape danger. It is because the generosity of the servant to reduce the debt of the people was what the owner actually wanted. The owner who wanted to pour out grace to the debtors is the same as the love the father had for his two sons – the younger one who left the home and the older one who was quite rude to him. The father who said, “We had to celebrate and be glad”, wanted his older son to react the same way as this servant did. This is the heart that God has for the tax collectors and sinners who are scorned by society (15:1, 2) and is the heart of our father who wants to free those in chains during the year of grace. Are you using your resources, talents and time for something in line with God’s character?
Vv. 9-12- The rich man’s will was to gain friends through unjust enrichment. What the rich man wanted was not wealth but honor. If it was for the sake of honor, then the servant could use his possessions wastefully. This is not a parable to teach business principles. This is a parable to emphasize God’s love to the Pharisees who love money more than honor God the father (v. 14). Are the talents we use bringing attention to God? Are you pursuing your own convenience, pleasure and satisfaction and setting your purpose on building your wealth and being a horrible slave that does not care if God’s honor is brought down?
Lord, help me not to be a servant of wealth but use wealth for your glory.
