From be80305b7b49523c921404b05b16e825a12b7639 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2023 21:26:12 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] Luke 16:1-13 --- content/bible_journal/luke_16:1-13.md | 49 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 49 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/luke_16:1-13.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_16:1-13.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_16:1-13.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..934168f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_16:1-13.md @@ -0,0 +1,49 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 16:1–13" +date = "2023-01-03" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk16.1-13) + +Based on the preceding and following contexts, it sounds like Jesus told this +parable immediately after the one about the prodigal son. This one deals with a +shift of topics from God's seeking and forgiveness of sinners to the kind of +relationship we should have with money, which makes sense considering how both +brothers of the previous story were caught up in a love for money. + +In this parable, a rich man has a steward or manager to run his estate, to take +care of all the details so the master doesn't have to. However, this manager is +dishonest and not doing a good job of maintaining his master's wealth. The +master finds out and has enough evidence to fire him, so he orders the manager +to turn over the books. During this process, the manager comes up with a plan +to help him maintain his easy lifestyle. He meets each of his master's debtors +and unilaterally reduces the amount of their debt, with the unspoken +understanding that they now owe him a favor. + +It should be noted that these debtors are not small fry, considering how large +these debts are. A hundred measures was about 875 gallons of the oil, or over +1,000 bushels of wheat. By defrauding his master of these resources, the +manager could likely gain quite a lot from each of these debtors for some time +to come. When the master discovers what has happened, he actually ends up +commending the manager, in an acknowledegment that he has been outwitted. The +altered records can't be changed back or recovered, so there's not any legal +recourse he can take. + +Jesus's application for this parable is rather unexpected, at least at first. +He says that unbelievers tend to be more shrewd with each other than believers +are, which makes sense. But then he says to "make friends for yourselves by +means of unrighteous wealth". (_v. 9_) What are we to make of that? We can be +sure that Jesus isn't telling us to go commit fraud or cheat people. Instead we +are to invest in people, so that the wealth that we have may be used to help +bring them to God's kingdom. Then, when we are there together, they will invite +us to their homes to celebrate. + +Verses 10 through 13 explain more. People don't suddenly become honest just by +being given more to work with. Therfore, if you are faithful with money which +cannot save you, you will also be faithful with eternal riches. You can't be +devoted to amassing wealth and also be devoted to God. So a person will either +use money to serve the Lord, or use the Lord's kingdom to serve their wallet. + +* * * + +Give us eternal perspectives, O Lord. Teach us what is truly important.