September 19, 2025 - Luke 16

Chapter 16 of Luke includes much of Jesus’ teaching on wealth and money.  There is the wise manager, the Pharisees who loved money, and the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the former wealthy in this world but in anguish in eternity, and the latter poor and suffering in this world but comforted in eternity.  From the story of the wise manager, Jesus made application:

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for 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. (Luke 16:10-13)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned about laying up treasures in this life (the rich man) and taught us to lay up treasures in heaven (Lazarus).  The prophet Amos condemned those who mistreated others in order to enrich themselves.  Solomon also warned about ill-gotten gain:  “Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it” (Proverbs 1:19).  James warns about the selfish use of wealth (not wealth itself).  So many cautionary words about money, especially the love of and sinful pursuit of money!  On the other hand, the Bible reminds us that wealth is a blessing and it can be used for so much good:  evangelism, the support of missionaries, discipleship, serving others, and so much more.  We always want to be generous, wise, and righteous in using what God has given us.

Before the Lord we must appear,

To answer for our steward-ships here;

We must account to God alone,

For all that we on earth have done.

Then let us seek and strive to know,

And humbly ask what we shall do;

To fit us for the time to come

When we must seek another home.

If you have riches less or more,

And there with help, the helpless poor--

Then may you ever hope to speed,

And find a home when you shall need.   --Paul Henkel (1816)