Excel Still More
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Excel Still More
Luke 16 - Daily Bible Devotional
Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 16
Jesus shares a parable about a manager who squanders a rich man’s possessions. Before being fired, he goes out and reduces debt for people who owe the rich man, in hopes that they will care for him after he is punished. The rich man praises the manager for his shrewdness! The point is we should use what we have now for righteous acts so we can be taken care of in heaven later. Otherwise, if we are unwise now, we will end up with nothing. This parable is told because the Pharisees love money. Jesus then shares the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus has nothing in this life but enjoys comfort in heaven. The rich man has much, shares little and ends up begging for mercy in torment.
The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Many are foolish and selfish with it and create many problems in their lives. We should think of money as a tool used to joyfully serve God and others now, ensuring a heavenly reward later. In the final parable, Lazarus rests in Abraham’s bosom because, though physically poor, he was rich in faith. The rich man, in torment, would give every cent he had to be right with God, but he had nothing left to give. During his life, he knew God’s law of mercy, but he was too busy enjoying his money. This story emphasizes a fundamental teaching of Jesus: we cannot serve God and wealth.
Benevolent God, to know You and be saved by You is the greatest treasure of our lives. All carnal things pale in comparison. Father, help this belief shape our daily lives and priorities. Show us how to be generous to others and use our blessings to be righteous and kind. We believe in eternal heaven and hell. But we sometimes forget that today’s choices pave the way to our eternal home. Forgive our short-sightedness and open our eyes to Your Son’s law of charity and mercy. Free us from the love of money and fill us with love for others.
- How does your relationship with money change when it is seen as simply an asset to show faith to God and lay up eternal treasures?
- There is a verse in this chapter on divorce and remarriage (18). How do greed and selfishness often factor into failed marriages?
- Lazarus had nothing on earth, and he is now in eternal comfort. Can his story be a comfort to you or someone who is struggling in life?