Faithful Stewardship
LENT DEVOTIONAL 2026 | DAY 28
Luke 16:1–31 (NIV)
By Eric Ang, Chairperson, Finance Committee
READ:
Luke 16:1–31 (NIV)
Luke 16 is a profound and familiar chapter to many. I started by reflecting on the characters in my assigned passage; the shrewd dishonest manager and his master, the rich man who lavished on himself, the Pharisees and their love for money. All people of the world. I ended by examining the Lazaruses I have ignored.
There are countless stories we get every day that resemble the characters above. As I looked back at my life, I became uncomfortable as I see all these characters in my life. I only need to conclude that the world has not changed and the love of money is still the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10–11).
Rather than amplify what is detestable to God, I asked if there are stories of earnest people who are pleasing God as I focused my devotion on verse 9: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” I didn’t have to look far to find Good Samaritans who are not interested in external justification or recognition but in their quiet and private way are extraordinarily generous in expressing their love for Christ.
Allow me to share one recent story. An elderly widow was very distraught when she learned that her will was not valid. She and her husband had executed identical wills with each other being the executor and sole beneficiary when the other passes on. Her dilemma was that with her husband’s passing, she needed to execute a new will with new beneficiaries and a new executor otherwise when she passes on, she would have died intestate and her assets distributed by law rather than her wishes.
She agonised over this as she had no one in Singapore she could appoint as her executor. After months of searching, a Good Samaritan found her a corporate executor that she was comfortable with. She was at peace with herself and within two months of settling her worldly wealth, she returned to her eternal dwelling. This Good Samaritan quietly helped and went on his way.
Allow me to share my self-reflections.
- Luke 16 is God’s stark warning for ignoring His call for love and justice in this life. I need to act out of His love, grace and mercy for me.
- I start by examining my own heart to see where my hope and security lies. This needs constant examination as God knows my heart (v15). I have the tendency to forget that I can’t serve 2 masters (v13).
- God has blessed us with His gracious wealth of grace given through Christ’s self-giving. (2 Corinthians 8:9). In response, will you join me in joyful gratitude and love by adopting the posture of a faithful steward, using what God has provided for the common good and care for the needy (v9).
Dear God, help me to live righteously in your sight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
[ Reflection Questions ]
- Who is your master? Did he have your undivided attention?
- Where do you regard as your home? Is that your permanent address?
- How can you live a life that is righteous in God’s sight?
