"Magasikway Siya Sa Isa Kag Magahigugma Sa Isa, Magadampig Sa Isa Kag Magapakalain Sa Isa"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 16:1-13)

Nagsugid si Jesus sang isa ka paanggid sa iya mga sumulunod. Siling niya, "May isa ka manggaranon nga may suluguon nga gintugyanan niya sang iya mga pagkabutang. Karon may nagsugid sa manggaranon nga ang iya mga pagkabutang ginausikan lang sang iya tinugyanan nga suluguon.

Gani ginpatawag niya siya kag ginhambalan, 'Ano ining nabatian ko nga ginausikan mo lang ang akon pagkabutang? Maayo pa magsumahay kita parte sa akon pagkabutang kay halin karon pahalinon ko na ikaw.'

Tungod nga ginapahalin na siya sang iya agalon, nagsiling siya sa iya kaugalingon, 'Ano bala ang akon himuon? Indi ako makasarang sang mabug-at nga obra pareho sang pagkutkot sang buho, kag nahuya man ako nga magpakilimos.

A, nahibaluan ko na kon ano ang akon himuon agod nga bisan pahalinon ako sang akon agalon may makadtuan ako nga mga tawo nga magabaton sa akon sa ila mga balay.'

Ang iya ginhimo, isa-isa niya nga ginpatawag ang mga may utang sa iya agalon. Nagpamangkot siya sa nahauna, 'Pila ang imo utang sa akon agalon?'

Nagsabat siya, '100 ka lata nga lana sang olibo.' Nagsiling ang tinugyanan sa iya, 'Sige, yari ang imo resibo, pungko kag isulat 50.'

Pagkatapos nagpamangkot siya sa ikaduha, 'Pila ang imo utang sa akon agalon?' Nagsabat siya, '100 ka sako nga trigo.' 'Sige, yari ang imo resibo, isulat nga 80 lang ka sako.'

Pagkahibalo sang agalon sang iya ginhimo, gindayaw niya ang dayaon nga tinugyanan sa iya kaalam tungod nga nakapreparar na siya para sa iya palaabuton. Kay ang mga tawo nga nagapasulabi sa mga butang diri sa kalibutan mas maalam magpakigbagay sa ila isigkatawo sang sa mga tawo nga ginpasanagan na sang Dios.

"Gani sugiran ko kamo, gamita ninyo ang inyo manggad diri sa kalibutan para sa pagpakig-amigo, agod pag-abot sang adlaw nga wala na sang kalibutanon nga manggad, batunon nila[a] kamo didto sa puluy-an nga wala na sing katapusan.

Ang tawo nga masaligan sa gagmay nga mga butang masaligan man sa dalagko nga mga butang. Kag ang tawo nga nagadaya sa gagmay nga mga butang, nagadaya man sa dalagko nga mga butang.

Gani kon indi kamo masaligan sa manggad sa kalibutan nga indi gid inyo, sin-o ang magatugyan sa inyo sang matuod gid nga manggad nga napreparar para sa inyo?

"Wala sang suluguon nga makaalagad sa duha ka agalon. Kay magasikway siya sa isa kag magahigugma sa isa; magadampig siya sa isa kag magapakalain sa isa. Indi man kamo makaalagad sing dungan sa Dios kag sa manggad."

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Meditation:

What kind of future are you investing in? Jesus seemed to praise a clever manager who used underhanded means to secure a profitable and happy future for himself. What's the point of this perplexing parable? The steward was responsible for managing his wealthy landowner's property. He very likely overcharged his master's tenants for their use of the land and kept more than his fair share of the commission. When the landowner discovers the steward's dishonest practice he immediately removes him from his job, leaving him penniless and ashamed to beg or do manual work. Before news of his dismissal becomes public knowledge, the shrewd steward strikes a deal with his master's debtors. In discounting their debts he probably was giving up his generous commission. Such a deal won him great favor with the debtors. Since he acted as the landowner's personal agent, such a deal made his master look very generous and forgiving towards those who owed him money. Surely everyone would praise such a generous landowner as the town hero! Since the master could not undo the steward's cancellation of the debts without losing face and making his debtors resent him, he praises the steward for outwitting him as a generous and forgiving landowner.

Jesus obviously thought that the example of a very clever manager who took thought for his future well-being would be a perfect illustration for anyone seriously interested in securing their future in God's kingdom. What lesson can we learn from this parable? The dishonest steward is commended for his shrewdness. The original meaning of "shrewdness" is "practical wisdom" or "prudence". It is the ability to deal with a given situation, to see what needs to be done and to do it. A shrewd person exercises foresight, discernment, and judgment (the ability to see through and understand a situation and what will likely happen if he doesn't take appropriate action). Three other parables where Jesus commends this kind of practical wisdom are the parables of the wise builder who built his house on a rock (Matthew 24:7), the wise steward who orders his household well (Matthew 24:45; Luke 12:42), and the wise virgins who remembered the oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:2-9).

Jesus commends his listeners to be wise and prudent not just in the exercise of their material and financial resources, but more importantly in how they use these resouces for advancing God's kingdom and the work of the gospel. What we invest our time, money, and material resources in shows what we treasure or value the most. Some invest solely for their own personal advancement, comfort, and security. Some invest for the future well-being of others, such as loved ones or individuals they want to support or help in some way. Jesus warns us to invest in and not neglect what is most important and crucial – that which lasts forever. When we invest in God's kingdom – his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17) – we are not only securing our relationship with God for all eternity, we are also promoting the spread of the Gospel and the advancement of God's kingdom on earth. How we invest our lives and resources today has consequences not just for tomorrow or for the rest of our earthly lives but for eternity as well. How invested are you in the kingdom of God and in the things that last for eternity?

Jesus encourages us to be like the shrewd steward who used money generously to make friends and win for himself a secure and happy future. Generous giving is connected with almsgiving – giving financial assistance to those in need (sell your possessions and give alms -Luke 12:33). Those who receive alms become your friends because you are merciful to them in their time of need, just as God is merciful to you in your need for his forgiveness and help. Ambrose, a 4th century bishop said: The bosoms of the poor, the houses of widows, the mouths of children are the barns which last forever. True wealth consists not in what we keep but in what we give away. What is the enemy of generosity? It's greed, the excessive desire for personal gain and security. True generosity does not impoverish the giver, but enriches that person a hundredfold! Generosity expands the soul; greed contracts it. God is generous and superabundant in lavishing his gifts upon us. We can never outgive God. He shares all that he has with us. Do you know the joy and freedom of a generous heart and liberal giving to others?

Jesus concludes his parable with a lesson on what controls or rules our lives (Luke 16:10-13). Who is the master (or ruler) in charge of your life? Our master is that which governs our thought-life, shapes our ideals, controls the desires of the heart and the values we choose to live by. We can be ruled by many different things – the love of money or possessions, the power of position, the glamor of wealth and prestige, the driving force of unruly passions and addictions. Ultimately the choice boils down to two: God and mammon. What is mammon? Mammon stands for material wealth or possessions or whatever tends to control our appetites and desires. There is one Master alone who has the power to set us free from the slavery of sin and addiction. That Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Possessions and material resources are a great responsibility. The Lord expects us to use them honestly and responsibly and to put them at his service and the service of others. We are God's servants and all that we have belongs to him. He expects us to make a good return on what he gives us. God loves generosity and he gives liberally to those who share his gifts with others. Love of money and wealth crowd out love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus makes clear that our hearts must either be possessed by God's love or our hearts will be possessed by the love of something else. Where is your treasure?

"Lord Jesus, all that I have is a gift from you. May I love you freely and generously with all that I possess. Help me to be a wise and faithful steward of the resources you put at my disposal, including the use of my time, money, and possessions."