#34: Monday, 8 April 2019

**Luke 16:1-31**

This chapter addresses the question of money, wealth, and riches through two parables, both beginning with "There was a rich man..." (verses 1 and 19). Between them, Luke notes that "The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus" (v14), indicating the first story targets those who love money for its own sake.

The shrewd manager parable isn't about condoning fraud. Rather, Jesus highlights how the manager used his master's resources to secure future relationships. The lesson concerns using worldly resources strategically -- money is a tool, not a master. In verse 13, Jesus clarifies: "We can either serve money or serve God. But you can't serve both."

Money itself isn't evil; the problem lies in loving it. The Pharisees' sneering reveals their divided loyalty. Jesus emphasizes that "the Law and Prophets won't pass away. The least stroke of a pen will not be removed from the law." This binds both parables together, anchoring his teaching in Old Testament wisdom about generously using wealth for the poor's benefit.

The second parable -- Lazarus and the rich man -- reinforces this theme. Anyone accumulating wealth while neglecting the poor faces serious consequences. This teaching wasn't new; Moses and the Prophets already taught caring for the oppressed.

Jesus concludes powerfully: those unwilling to heed Moses and the Prophets won't believe even in resurrection testimony. He even briefly addresses marriage and adultery, potentially suggesting that divorcing ourselves from Old Testament teaching while wedding ourselves exclusively to New Testament words constitutes unfaithfulness to God's complete Word.

**Prayer:**

Lord Jesus Christ, help me to use my resources wisely, as a tool for your kingdom rather than as a master over my life. Help me to care generously for the poor and oppressed, as Moses, the Prophets, and you have taught. Amen.