Day 307

More Parables

Read: Luke 16-17

Most parables have only one point; therefore we must not press the details but seek that one truth addressed to us. Here we have three parables:

(1) The parable of the unrighteous steward (16:1-9). Jesus is not recommending dishonesty here. We must always seek to be absolutely honest in all our dealings with people. The point is that this steward prepared for the future, and so must we, by shrewdly putting all of our trust in Christ and laying up treasures in heaven.

(2) The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31). What was the sin of the rich man? Was it that he kicked Lazarus as he went past him? Was it that he spit upon him? No! The sin was that he passed him, saw his great need, and did nothing. And when he died, he went to hell. The boundary between heaven and hell is fixed. How important then that we be not like the rich man. Let us, realizing our need, place all of our trust in Christ, and go forth to live a life of meeting the needs of other people.

(3) The parable of the servant (17:7-10). What is the point of this parable? It is this: we are to do everything God tells us to do. Having done so, let us not feel that this merits us anything. We have only done our duty. Many people act as if they are doing God a favor if they serve in some capacity in his church. Let us rather serve in humility.

PRAYER
Father, enable us to understand how to apply these teachings of your Son to our lives. In his name. Amen.