Andy Stanley - LO$T, Part 2_ Moving to Higher Ground

In addition to studying books of the Bible, I listen to particulary good sermon podcasts. My current favorite is Andy Stanley of North Point Church.

Jesus tells a parable of a "shrewd manager" in Luke 16:1-14. The man is commended, for even though he used his "little bit of time and little bit of resources" in a deceitful manner, he was shrewd enough to recognize his limitations and make the most of the time and resources that were available to him.

I, too, have been given "a little bit of time and a little bit of resources" on this planet. How am I spending them? Am I using what I have been given to further the Kingdom of God? Or am I using my time and energy on selfish pursuits?

Obviously I'd have to say the latter.

Take the idea of forgiveness.

I am SUCH a consequence kind of person. People need to reap what they sow. There needs to be repercussions! And I need to be the one meeting them out. One thing you reap when you wrong me is my eternal grudge-holding powers. To forgive is to let you off scott-free. Where are the consequences? Where is the condemnation? It is absolutely not fair. YOU OWE ME!

That's why "forgiveness" is the right word. It literally means to cancel a debt. It is to recognize that despite the fact that you owe me, you can never pay me back. You are in over your head and this debt can never be repaid. You can never make it right. You can never give back what you've taken. You can never repair or undo what you did. At this point, forgiveness is really my only option.

You see, I only have a little bit of time and a little bit of resources, and I cannot waste them trying to collect on an unpayable debt. I must forgive and then focus what I have been given elsewhere. When I stand before God and answer for how I managed the time and resources He gave me, I do not want to say I spent it going after deadbeats with no ability to pay.

I want to say I spent the time and resources allocated to me "to benefit others and make friends." Then I will be welcomed to eternal life.