Tag: Luke 16
The great reversal
Scripture reading for March 25: Luke 16
“”There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.”” Luke 10:19-24
The Jews (and modern day people) tended to judge people by their positions and success. If someone was rich and well cared for, they must have God’s favor. Conversely, those that are poor and sick must be under God’s judgment. Jesus, wanting to set their world view in line with the truth, told this parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Both died but where they ended up was shocking to those hearing the story. The sick beggar was taken to Abraham’s side and found comfort and peace awaiting the reward of the righteous. The rich man found himself in Hades in great torment!
Jesus went on to explain that the two departed souls could observe one another in their respective abodes. The rich man, who had ignored the needs of Lazarus on earth called out to ‘Father Abraham’ as a good religious Jew. He simply asked to have Lazarus come and just dip his finger in water to cool his tormented tongue. Father Abraham explained why this great reversal had occurred and how there was now no way to change or help his torment. The rich man had not had mercy on Lazarus and now would reap what he had sowed. God had made it so that part of the torment was to see and understand but not be able to change the final outcome. The rich man pleaded with Father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers who were also headed for the place of torment. (Luke 16:27-29)
How does Jesus’ parable cause you to evaluate your own life and attitudes towards the poor and needy God places in your path? Have you ever ignored those in need? How concerned are you with those of your family or friends that are in need of a Gospel message?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for ignoring those around me that have great needs. Help me to be attentive each day to pray and obey as You send me to share Your life-giving Gospel and rescue the lost from eternal torment. Thank You for sending those to warn me and share the saving Gospel. Amen.
Faithful in the ‘Little’!
Scripture reading for March 25th: Luke 16
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 16:10-12 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”
Worldly wealth is given to each person as a trust by the Lord. Some receive little and others receive much. From this teaching of Jesus, He taught that all worldly wealth was ‘little’ in the heavenly view of life and the kingdom. Our faithfulness to use worldly wealth to bless others and give to God’s work is a test that prepares us for ‘true riches’ in the eternal kingdom that is here and soon to manifest. If we are dishonest in our use of money, God will not trust us with the eternal. Our faith is demonstrated in all our dealings with money. If we love money, we can’t really love God! (Luke 16:13) We are stewards of His property not owners!
Observations for over-comers: God calls His people to give the tithe and offerings as acts of worship and obedient faith. Giving is a spiritual discipline that helps keep God first and breaks the love of money. “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
God’s value system
Scripture reading for March 25th: Luke 16
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” “Now the Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:13-15)
The world’s values are different than God’s! Money can easily take first place in the life of a person, rich or poor. Jesus taught that no servant could successfully serve two masters. His teaching brought mockery from the religious community leaders who really loved money. They believed in a type of ‘prosperity’ gospel that said those who had money were favored by God. Jesus did not appear to have much, living off the land without a place to lay His head. (Luke 9:58) To them, poor people were under God’s curse.
Jesus told them a story about two real people. (Luke 16:19-31) There was a rich man who lived in luxury and had plenty of everything but failed to help his poor neighbor, Lazarus, who was covered with sores. Both these men died but there was a great reversal! The rich man ended up in Hades, the place of torment and the poor beggar went to Abraham’s bosom to be comforted and cared for. Though both died, they were alive in the next world and had feelings and could express desires. The rich man wanted Lazarus to come and bring him a small drink to cool his tongue. Father Abraham explained this was not possible. Money is worthless in the place of torment!