Dishonesty is so rampant in our world that it has almost become a way of life. We learn of those, even in the highest positions of our government, who gain their position and/or wealth through fraudulent means. Dishonesty is a disease that threatens to destroy us and our nation. Is there any hope it can be changed, or will it continue until we decay from within? Listen beginning Sunday, September 19 on www.ChristianCrusaders.org as we talk about the dangers of dishonesty.
Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg – I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
“’Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’
“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“’A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’
“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own.
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Truth Is Liberating delivered on Christian Crusaders October 27, 2002 by Rev. Larsen:
There are many mysteries in life we cannot understand. However, God has clearly revealed to us in His Word the truth about our salvation. It is so simple. I am a sinner. Christ Jesus has died for me. If I will receive Him as my Savior and Lord, he will forgive me and I will be his. I will experience this freedom. Humans can teach us this Gospel, but only through experiencing this truth can we know what freedom really is.
Seventy-Four Years of Broadcasting Biblical Truth
Christian Crusaders’ first radio worship service was broadcast over the airwaves on September 6, 1936. Rev. G. E. Melchert, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa, and the Brotherhood of Trinity were concerned that a large number of the elderly and homebound were unable to enjoy the blessings of a Sunday worship service. Wanting to spread the Gospel message to the unchurched, as well, they felt called to start a radio ministry.
Seventy-four years later, this ministry continues to bring the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to those who tune in to our program on one of twenty radio stations around the country and worldwide on the Internet.
On the Light Side
In a small town were two brothers who, over the course of many years, cheated, swindled, robbed, and generally stole from everyone with whom they ever did business. The entire town and surrounding community reviled and despised these two brothers, and everyone was aware of just how disreputable and dishonest they were.
One day, one of the brothers mysteriously died. Although they had never attended church, the remaining brother went to the local pastor and offered vast sums of money if he would come to the funeral and say the appropriate words. He also offered a large bonus, but ONLY if he would – during the course of the eulogy – refer to his brother as a saint.
The pastor was troubled by the request. However, it was a very poor church desperately needed repairs.
When the parishioners heard about the pastor’s dilemma, they were curious about what he would do. The funeral began, and the church was packed. The pastor started with the usual prayers and followed the rites and traditions as required by the church’s teachings. In closing, after referring to the man in the casket, he paused and turned to face the remaining brother.
He began, “As you all know, the departed was an awful individual who robbed, cheated, swindled, and stole from every one he ever did business with. However, compared to his brother, he was a saint!”
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