Daily Devotional – Wednesday, September 16, 2026
And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
Luke 16:12 (NKJV)
A wealthy man had employed a manager to look after his possessions. One day, the rich man learnt that the steward had been accused of mismanaging the possessions under his care. The master called the manager and told him that he risked losing his job. The steward knew he had to make plans for the unpleasant situation that awaited him if he lost his job. Jesus used this scenario to teach His disciples about faithfulness and how a person should handle what He has placed under his responsibility.
The Responsibility in Your Hands
The manager knew his position was coming to an end, so he began making plans for what would follow. Jesus drew attention to the man’s foresight and then taught a deeper lesson. A person who is faithful in little can be trusted with much. Christ then connected faithfulness with material possessions, showing that even ordinary things reveal something about the person handling them. The question was whether someone could be trusted with what belonged to another.
The Lord was speaking about property that belongs to someone else. The manager looked after his master’s property, but it still belonged to his master. Christ connected that kind of faithfulness with receiving what is truly valuable. The previous verse speaks of true riches, so Jesus was contrasting temporary possessions with greater, lasting riches. When we are faithful with what God has entrusted to us, we show that we are trustworthy.
What Have You Been Trusted With?
An employer may grant you access to company money or equipment. A friend may leave something valuable with you while they are away. When someone lends you something, you know it belongs to them. You take care of it because they trusted you, and you return it when you should. Those simple actions show that you take another person’s trust seriously.
What have you been entrusted to care for? It may seem small, and you may expect to handle it only for a short time. Still, do your part well. If you make a mistake, please admit it and deal with it honestly. The way you handle small responsibilities tells people a great deal about you. Treat another person’s property with the same care you would want for your own. Faithfulness starts with the responsibility in front of you, not with the bigger opportunity you hope to receive.
Prayer
Almighty God, help me to handle what others entrust to me with care and honesty. Lord, help me to take proper care of what others place in my hands and to handle their trust well. More importantly, make me a faithful steward of all that You have bestowed on me.
