Tag: Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The Master Teacher at Work

Luke 16:1-17:10

Devotion by Jerry Wierwille (New York)

Jesus was a master teacher, and he used parables to teach and challenge his listeners to reconsider their present attitudes or perspectives. In Luke 16, Jesus teaches on wealth, faithfulness, forgiveness, and humble service, inviting us to consider how our daily choices reflect our commitment to God’s kingdom and to live in light of the age to come.

Wise Stewardship and Eternal Perspective

Jesus begins this section with the Parable of the Wise Manager (Luke 16:1-9). In this story, a house manager is called to give an account of his stewardship after being accused of wasting his master’s possessions. Facing dismissal from his position, he shrewdly reduces the debts of his master’s debtors, hoping to secure their goodwill for his own future. Surprisingly, the master commends the manager—not for his dishonesty, but for his prudence and foresight. Jesus then says, “For the sons of this age are in their own generation more prudent than the sons of the light. And I myself say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they will receive you into the tents in the age to come” (Luke 16:8-9).

Scripture teaches that our resources—whether money, talents, or opportunities—are temporary and ultimately belong to God. Jesus calls us to use what we have now with a perspective toward the age to come, investing in relationships and acts of generosity that have lasting value in God’s kingdom. Furthermore, our “wealth” includes not only material goods, but also our mental and physical abilities. The challenge is to use all we have to prepare for the future life God promises rather than clinging selfishly to earthly treasures here and now.

Reflect: How can you use your resources today to bless others and honor God? What does it mean for you to “make friends” through your actions and generosity with respect to the age to come?

Faithfulness in Little and Much

Jesus continues on in Luke 16, saying, “The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10). This is such an important point about the need to be mindful of small things before thinking about larger things. In addition, Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and wealth, for our loyalties will inevitably be divided (Luke 16:13). The religious leaders, who loved money, scoffed at Jesus’ teaching, but he reminded them that God knows the heart (Luke 16:14-15). Jesus’ emphasis is on faithfulness in small things as the foundation for greater areas of responsibility in God’s eyes. Our daily choices, even in seemingly insignificant matters, reveal where our true allegiance lies and where our focus is placed.

Reflect: In what “small” areas of your life is God calling you to be more faithful? How might your attitude toward money or possessions reflect the way you trust in God?

The Rich Man and Lazarus: A Warning and a Promise

Jesus then tells the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man lives in luxury, ignoring the suffering of Lazarus, a poor beggar at his gate. After death, their roles are reversed: Lazarus is comforted, while the rich man is in torment. The parable warns that earthly status and comfort are fleeting, and that our response to the needs of others has eternal consequences. This story is a powerful call to compassion and to heed God’s Word, for “if they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if one rises from among the dead” (Luke 16:31).

Reflect: Who are the “Lazarus-es” in your life—those in need whom God is calling you to notice and care for? How does this parable shape your view of justice and mercy?

Forgiveness, Faith, and Humble Service

In Luke 17:1-10, Jesus addresses the challenges of his followers with regard to their life in community with one another. He warns against causing others to stumble and commands a spirit of continual forgiveness: “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him…even if he sins against you seven times in the day” (Luke 17:3-4). Jesus’ disciples, feeling the weight of this command, cry out, “Increase our faith!” Jesus assures them that even faith as small as a mustard seed is powerful when a person trusts in God.

Finally, Jesus reminds his disciples that serving God is not about seeking recognition or reward. “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10). Even after faithful obedience to God, our attitude should be one of humility, not entitlement. We are to focus on our duty and responsibility as disciples and not be preoccupied thinking about what reward we might receive.

Encouragement

Jesus is calling us to live with wisdom, faithfulness, compassion, and humility as his disciples. As you reflect on these teachings, consider how you can steward your resources for God’s glory, forgive generously, and serve with a humble heart. May you find encouragement in knowing that God sees your faithfulness, values your compassion, and honors your humble service in His kingdom.

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Give so that you get?

Luke 16

Friday, December 23, 2022

I love the parables of Jesus.  But I’ve got to admit, this one about the shrewd manager threw me for a loop.  Take a minute to read it. 

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.” (v.8)

Is Jesus commending this shrewd manager for cheating his master out of his money by canceling debt without his master’s permission? Can that possibly be true?  The rich master found out that his money manager was misusing his money, so he fired him.  The manager did not want to be homeless and live on the street begging, so he granted favors to the master’s debtors before his exit from his employment. The purpose of his deceit was to guarantee that he would have some “friends” from whom he could ask for future favors. Give so that you get. Sounds shrewd, right?  Sounds like the master and Jesus seems to think so.

But, is his behavior ethical?  His former boss commends his shrewdness, and it looks like Jesus is using him as an example that we should follow.  Perhaps we need to take a closer look at this parable. 

First, do not be confused about who the rich master is.  In other parables, a master is considered to be God, but in this one, that is not true.  God would not be commending us for being dishonest and a thief.  So, what is the point?  What is Jesus teaching?

“For the people of this world are shrewder in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” (v8) Jesus is comparing us, the people of the light, with people of this world.  People of the world look out for themselves, and people of the light are not doing this.  So, how do we as people of the light look out for ourselves without being dishonest?  It actually is simple, but we often find it very difficult.

“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. (The shrewd manager’s game plan).  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.  Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:12-14). (This should be our game plan!)  Throughout His ministry Jesus told us to give to the needy, love your enemies, and do good without expecting anything in return.  As a result, your reward will be great, and you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

By doing these things, we are being shrewd by laying up treasures in heaven.  We are taking care of ourselves by taking care of others.  However, our focus is not on this present world, like the shrewd manager, but on our future at the resurrection of the righteous. This requires us to walk in faith, believing that God will indeed remember that we have been seeking “first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). 

Jesus shares another parable in this chapter, The Rich Man and Lazarus. So how are these two parables connected?  The Rich Man was not just rich, but very rich.  He had the finest clothes and he ate huge meals each day.  Just outside his gate lay Lazarus.  It is not that the Rich Man did not know that Lazarus was there, literally begging for some scraps off the Rich Man’s plate.  Nevertheless, the Rich Man ignored the cries of Lazarus.  Then the expected happened.  Both men die.  Because the Rich Man claimed Abraham as his father, he expected a great reward when he died.  Instead, he experienced great pain and torment.  And there in the midst of his pain and agony he saw Lazarus enjoying the peaceful and happy company of Abraham.  So, the Rich Man cried out to Abraham to have Lazarus come to him, dip his finger in water, and cool his burning tongue. How ironic! This same Rich Man refused to give Lazarus scraps off his overflowing table.  The Rich Man wanted grace and mercy, without giving grace and mercy.  The big takeaway is that the Rich Man was not shrewd enough to lay up for himself treasures in heaven.  What do you think?

-Kayla Elwell

Questions for reflection:

  •  What is the difference between “give so that you get” and “give and you will get”?
  • What is the difference between being repaid and being blessed?
  • What is your motive for giving? Is storing up for yourself treasures in heaven a good motive for giving?
  • What does God expect from you when confronted with others in need?
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