Grace and peace to you from the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

What does the phrase, “In God we trust,” mean to you? 

Our focus from Luke this morning is sandwiched between the parable of the Prodigal Son and the Rich Man and Lazurus. 

Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” 

Instantly after reading this parable I feel the tension of our modern day. Right here this morning we offer worship and praise to God. 

Thankful for the steadfast love and enduring patience for extending grace. God is greater than everything. 

God is the creator of wealth. 

In God we trust is a very truthful statement for any Chrisitian. 

As St. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.” 

Jesus pays with the currency of his whole life as an exchange to conquer sin and grant all of us eternal life. 

No one has the ability to do this other than God, through Jesus Christ who lives in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Quite simply serve God. 

Researching the commentaries on this passage lead in a few directions that don’t readily resolve the situation described.

Knowing that the manager is going to be fired, why does he go back to the people who owe his boss money? 

Who really benefits from this parable; the Rich Man, the manager, the debtors, you and I? 

Again it feels like more questions than answers, perhaps, Luke is really getting us to think. 

The Rich Man is obviously successful and most likely because of the workings of his manager. 

We don’t know what property the manager was squandering, but given the nature of agency the manger was probably making extra profit from the deals he struck with the Rich Man’s customers. 

I have worked with people who suddenly feel that they are not valuable or have been taken advantage of and for whatever reason their attitude toward work and quality of work suffers. 

This is not only felt by the company, but oftentimes “slackers” affect the attitude and work quality of those around them. 

When you don’t do your job, but still expect your pay and benefits, you are essentially squandering from the company, so much that it is similar to stealing. 

God has told us, Thou shall not steal. 

What I have learned is that stealing affects everyone and raises the price and lowers the trust. 

Our relationship with others is a reflection of our relationship with God. When we are entrusted with a little and succeed we can be trusted with a lot. 

On the other hand when we are dishonest, even a little, we are dishonest with a lot.

God has given us a beautiful choice to be thankful. 

We have received everything from God, with abundance. 

Problems seem to occur when we lose an honest relationship. In this parable the Rich Man appears to have hired a crooked manager. The manager has been charging the customers more than he should have. As a result the Rich Man’s reputation and ability to do business is harmed. 

The manager seeing his situation appears to do the right thing by renegotiating the contracts with the debtors. 

For the debtors this is a very welcome situation, yet it reveals the manipulation that the manager had with these people. 

People he is going to have to live amongst, that they may welcome him in their homes. 

The Rich Man is using his resources wisely, specifically, his human resources. When people are set up for success, we all will do better. 

The Rich man is about relationships, just like God is about relationships. As Christians we believe that Jesus has gained eternal life for all of us. Love one another, and love your enemy as yourself. 

Wealth is a tool for helping each other as clearly as we can’t eat money. 

In God we trust on our money means that in our hearts we are faithful to God first and what follows is mutual love.

Hear the words again from first Timothy, “so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” 

I have experienced the quiet and peaceable life right here at our church. 

Godliness and dignity are the natural gifts shared as we come together and go our ways each Sunday. 

You are here because you care. 

Care to serve God within this congregation that welcomes everyone. Wealth begins with welcome. 

Welcome to invite God into your heart and life as Jesus taught you. We are all worthy of God’s love and invited to share that love. Perhaps when we withhold a little love we are squandering our gift to share? 

Even when we mess up God is there in a trusting relationship that saves us from the scorn of others. 

Rather than blaming and shaming we are found by Jesus. 

Embraced by love rather than repelled by hate. 

I wonder how you are taking care of what has been given to you? 

If you’re anything like me you pray for the best and you receive what you deserve. 

“Let the name of the Lord be blessed, from this time forth for evermore. Amen