Luke 16

The Unjust Steward thinks

Luke 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Another parable, a story with a spiritual meaning. A steward is in charge of another's possessions. The rich man's steward was accused of wasting his masters goods. We are stewards of what God gives us.

Luke 16:2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

He was being audited, what have you done with what I gave into your care? Good question for God's children. What have we done with the good gifts God has given to us? Are they not to increase His kingdom?

Luke 16:3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

The steward looks at his situation, he cannot dig. My dad dug ditches laying gas pipeline for many years, hard labor. Not all men are able to dig, they have not the strength. Some dig for roots and potatoes seeking food this way; hard work. A farmer must dig the soil in the hot sun to plant a crop, hoping for a good harvest.

The steward would be ashamed to beg. Some beg, for food with no shame, even those well able to work. Others have infirmities and must beg from others. The Jews were to give alms, money to the poor. It was part of the law. The law was clear, that they were to be blessed by doing good.

Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Depart from evil. Under the law of Israel if they did good they would be blessed, if they did wrong they would be punished. Now we are under the grace of God through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of our sins and failings.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Thank God for Jesus and his grace. The unjust steward had to find another way to escape punishment. We have Jesus, he loves us and forgives us when we trust in him.

The Unjust Steward acts

Luke 16:4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
Luke 16:5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
Luke 16:6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

The steward's plan was to forgive part of what was owed, so that people in debt would be indebted to him and care for his needs. I see this in part as our forgiving others and showing them grace as representing our Master, God the Father.

Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 16:7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. (eighty)
Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

He was commended for showing mercy and forgiving debts. We can only forgive in part when we forgive others. If we are wronged we forgive, because we are commanded to forgive, still the debt remains with God, the master. Those who have sinned against us, we are to forgive, but God sees that there is a greater debt owed to him. David knew this, as he spoke the Psalm:

Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

If they come to Jesus, the debt of sin is entirely removed. We are to forgive, this frees us from anger and bitterness. God still sees the sin of the other. In Christ Jesus we are all forgiven.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

We should be wiser than the world, for we have God's wisdom within us, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

Be good stewards of the money God has given to you. Do good with it, make friends and be received through Jesus into everlasting life in the house of God.

Be Faithful

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

God is faithful and he keeps His word; we are to be this way. I think of broken promises, perhaps the most obvious are politicians who say one thing and do not keep their promises. If he is unfaithful to his wife, he cannot be trusted to be honorable as a leader. This is important in God's family, that we are faithful. A Pastor or bishop must be faithful, for he is to care for his flock as Christ cared for his own. Jesus is our faithful shepherd.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus was faithful even going to the cross for us. It was not easy and he asked the Father to remove this burden, but he wanted more than anything to please God his Father. So we are to be faithful, as Jesus is faithful.

Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Keep your word. Do not make promises you cannot keep and above all do the will of God, for our faith is important to God and to our growth in him.

Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Money, many say it is not important to them. If so, give it to anothers needs. Give as the Lord leads you, for one test of our faithfulness is our money and how we use it, beyond our basic needs. What are the true riches, if money is not the riches? The things of God are true riches, his character and that which shall last forever.

Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

If we work for another, do we give him an honest days work? Do we steal from him? If God gives us all good things, are we faithful to return a portion to him? I am not a preacher who receives money, but God's word says to give and we will receive.

Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

What are the better things of God that He may trust to us? Here is an example of things that only God can do, through his faithful servant.

Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

If we receive, we are to give. We are not to steal and desire from others, but to share what is given to us as good stewards of what he supplies. This starts with simple things, we are faithful in small things and God knows this. He will increase his giving to you. If you are faithful, you receive more, all for your needs and for his purposes.

2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Be faithful.

One Master

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Who is your Master? Joshua asked this question to the children of Israel:

Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Josh 24:16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Other gods are idols, anything that we serve and love more than God can be our idol, including money and the gathering of it.

1 Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1 Th 1:9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
1 Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

It happened to Jesus and it will happen to you if you serve God. The Pharisees were the proud religious leaders of the Jews, but they did not know God by His Spirit. They wished to mock and put down the Lord Jesus Christ. They were covetous of wealth and power over men. Friends in the world get together and mock the things of God. They love the lusts and power, the wealth of the world.

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

They were not fooling God. He saw their hearts were wicked and far from him. The things that they love will perish and were an abomination to our holy God. The church of this time was described in the book of Revelation, a rich church, needing nothing. Rich in the world's things and pleasures, but poor in their faith and holiness.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

It is time for those of God's church to come out from the world and to be the light in the darkness. The word of God is truth and light. We love God our Father because Jesus has forgiven our sins. Who else shall we serve when we have received so much from our God? Freely receive and freely give to others.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

If they mock you, they mocked Jesus. If they receive Jesus, they enter God's kingdom. We are His ambassadors to bring the hope of everlasting life to a blind and lost world. Jesus has paid the price for all to receive life. Praise God our master.

Unfailing law

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

The old covenant with and through Israel of the law and the prophets, ended with John the Baptist. He was the last prophet under the law, making the way for a new covenant. The new covenant was accomplished through Jesus, his blood shed for our sins, his resurrection from the grave and grace received through faith in him. I see the new covenant as for every man, whosoever who will come to Jesus. The crowds pressed to get to Jesus, so we must be determined to receive from him eternal life. There is opposition from the flesh and the devil, but the truth shall make you free, press in and receive life more abundant and everlasting.

Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

A tittle, a point, the minute point or stroke added to some letters of the Hebrew alphabet to distinguish them from others which they resemble; hence, the very least point. (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

Jesus is saying that God's law is true and will remain true. Jesus fulfilled all the law, so by receiving Jesus we are in agreement with the law and being in him, we are free from the curse of failing the law. We are safe in Jesus, God's wrath will not come to us for failings. It is the grace of God we receive through faith in him. Praise God!

Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Now why did he bring this up? Why? Because it is God's pure law. So many people ignore this law and divorce and remarry for something better. No, it is adultery. If you are not in Christ Jesus, you will be judged by this law. If you are in Jesus, you certainly willfully will not do this? Jesus is our refuge, but let us not continue to sin willfully.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Bosom Buddies

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Some say this is only a parable, but, parables do not use men's names. Jesus described an actual occurrence. Abraham's bosom, was to be close to Abraham where he is.

John was at the bosom of Jesus, when with him on earth.

John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
John 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
John 13:25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

Bosom, signifies (a) "the front of the body between the arms;" hence, to recline in the "bosom" was said of one who so reclined at table that his head covered, as it were, the "bosom" of the one next to him, Jhn 13:23. Hence, figuratively, it is used of a place of blessedness with another, as with Abraham in paradise, Luk 16:22,23 (plural in ver. 23), from the custom of reclining at table in the "bosom," a place of honor; of the Lord's eternal and essential relation with the Father, in all its blessedness and affection as intimated in the phrase, "The Only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father" ( Jhn 1:18) (Vines)

Hell and Abraham's Bosom were far from each other. Hell could see the blessed place, Paradise, but those in Paradise probably could not see hell. These were blessed old covenant saints of faith, who believed the promises of God. By faith they are saved. Jesus had not yet made a place for them in heaven, so they were alive and well in spirit in this place of waiting.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Paul has given us the hope, that to be absent from this world is to be present with God. This is the New Testament promise. in Christ Jesus.

2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Cor 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

But, you may say, are not those of the old testament sleeping in their graves? No, they were kept alive and well in spirit in the holding place called Paradise. As Jesus spoke about to the thief on the cross who repented.

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Are these saints dead or sleeping; living?

Mat 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Perhaps some are still waiting for the rapture, God knows.

1 Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

No believer will be left behind. No believer will face the wrath of God.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Be encouraged.

Son of Abraham

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

The rich man still has contempt for Lazarus. Send Lazarus to cool my tongue, even to dip his finger in water. Hellfire, is a hot place for those who refuse God's way in this life. He appeals to Father Abraham as a son of Abraham. That is not enough to be right with God. Jesus spoke to proud Pharisees who trusted in their connection to Abraham, but opposed Jesus, the promised Messiah from Abraham and God.

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

The Rich man was connected by blood to Abraham, but his heart was on his wealth, while on earth. He had no compassion for those in need. He was in need spiritually, but was blind.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

It is more than being rich or poor. The heart must believe the promises of God. The promise of a Messiah to come, who would take away our sins.

Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

Still, he sees Lazarus as a lowly servant.

Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

They had Moses and the prophets who spoke of the one who would come. Still most Jews are blinded, not seeing Jesus as their Messiah. The day will come for Israel to see.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

So true, for Jesus would arise from the grave and still most of His Jewish brethren would not receive him. The time is coming, hard times, but Israel will receive their Messiah. It was too late for the rich man, but it is not too late for you to receive Jesus and escape eternity in hell. Heaven is the home for God's newborn children. The choice is now, receive the Lord Jesus Christ, the Promise of God for your salvation.

Superragman@aol.com

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