BIBLE READING: Titus 3: 1 - 7 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What does this passage mean to you?
BLOG: What you do think when you hear the word "shrewd?" I know that I think of someone who is taking advantage of an opportunity or a customer. The word doesn't conjure up any happy thoughts for me.
But in the Bible, the word means (in the greek) "to act with foresight."
Luke 16: 1 - 9. He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.' 3 And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.
If you read this parable, you may very well miss the point of Jesus' parable. He wants us, by faith, to look into our future with foresight. To what purpose, you might ask. To be more affluent, more powerful, and influential? As we can see in the following verses, it is none of those things. He wants us to be good managers of the resources He has entrusted us with so we can be a blessing to others. Be the good news of Jesus.
So how can you be shrewd?
Who are you going to bless today? Can you think of someone that you want to bless today? How about two people - more?
What are you going to give away today? It could be monetary. It could be a smile. But commit now to do it.
How are you going to do it? This speaks to attitude. Are you going to do it, begrudgingly? Then may I suggest that you don't do it. But if you are going to do it with joy-full steam ahead!
Here is the beauty of all of this. You're only limits are the ones you place on yourself. Your creativity can be a blessing if you let it.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, teach me how to be shrewd enough to bless others. AMEN.
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