“You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)
Worldview. We all have one. The word refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which individuals or groups view and interpret the world, the universe, all creation as well as all that occurs in it. Our worldview determines how we make choices, act, and relate to other people as well as what we value. The worldview of the Christian should be from the perspective of God and His word. All that we do and say, how we live should be in accord with the will of God as revealed through His Word, the written Word and the Living Word, Jesus.
Jesus taught a parable about an unjust and dishonest manager or steward who possessed a worldview that did not honor God but was rooted in selfishness and greed. We call this worldliness and idolatry, both sinful attitudes. When faced with dismissal, the man took steps to insure his future by making friends with the master’s debtors by reducing the amounts they owed. This may have been an attempt to make friends and secure a new position but it was dishonest. He was altering the account books and defrauding his master of his property, money, and the interest due him on the resources he loaned or sold. Jesus does not commend him for his dishonesty but for his shrewdness in insuring future security. If the wicked can do this with their resources, money, the righteous can do better by using their God-given resources to build up the Kingdom of heaven.
Jesus ended the parable with a sharp rebuke to the Pharisees, one which ought to speak to our hearts. All that men in our world idolize such as money, fame, power, hedonistic pleasure is useless in the Kingdom of God. The pursuit of such above all else is idolatry and so, utterly offensive to Him.
Despite what we think or feel or what the world would have us believe, all the resources, money, and property we have belong to God, not us. He expects us to manage them wisely for His purposes. We are not to squander or waste them on ourselves and our desires, but to use them to advance His Kingdom. We are to give freely expecting nothing in return. In addition we are to forgive freely, to extend mercy, grace and compassion to all those in need. Often this is difficult and costly but our desire should be to obey the Lord and honor Him as well as to lead the lost, the downtrodden, and the broken-hearted to faith in Jesus.