Godly Wealth Stewardship

 “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” - Luke 16:9

An old vendor, in ragged clothes and weathered by age, was selling eggs by the roadside in order to get by.

A Lady asks: "How much do you sell your eggs for?"

The old vendor replies: "50 cents an egg, madam”.

The Lady says: "I'll take 6 eggs for $2.00 or I'm leaving".

The old salesman replies: "Buy them at the price you want, Madam. This is a good start for me because I haven't sold a single egg today and I need this to live.

 She bought her eggs at a bargain price and left with the feeling that she had won. She got into her expensive car and went to an expensive restaurant with her friend. She and her friend ordered what they wanted. They ate a little and left a lot of what they had bought. They paid the bill, which was $400. The ladies gave $500 and told the expensive restaurant owner to keep the change as a tip.

This story might seem quite normal to the owner of the expensive restaurant but disheartening to the egg seller.

The question it raises is: Why do we always need to show that we take advantage when we buy from the struggling but we are generous to those who don't even need our generosity?

A story was told: "My father used to buy goods from the less fortunate people at more than the asking price, even things he might not have needed. I was amazed. One day I asked him "Why are you doing this dad?" Then my father replied: "It's charity wrapped in dignity, son. By doing this the Lord will open up doors for you to share the good news of gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"–well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.” – James 2:1-11