Luke Chapter 16: Advent

Luke 16 begins with an unusual parable known as the Shrewd Manager. This is a pointed story because of how Jesus uses it to teach about faithfulness with finances. The key figure in the story is no hero, yet he receives praise from Jesus because of how he conducted himself. Jesus goes on to offer a challenging observation that refers to how people of the world conduct themselves compared to people of God. There is a fascinating lesson to take-away; especially as it pertains to how all of us view can money if we give it a disproportionate place in our lives. Jesus then goes on to make a rather brief, but extraordinary statement about what the coming of the Kingdom of God means for the Law and those who worship the Law over the Law Giver. Today’s chapter concludes with another challenging teaching about how people might respond to Jesus’ example and teaching. The parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus should be eye-opening for everyone.

As you read today, pay attention to how Jesus frames people’s perspective on financial means. This is not to say that money is evil – it is amoral, meaning it is neither good nor bad. Our pursuits in life can be good or bad, though. If we pursue money, we might end up like the shrewd manager manipulating circumstances to help our cause. If our pursuit is of God, however, then we are called to use everything at our disposal to help point people to Jesus. May we proverbially put our money where our mouth is and use our resources to help others come to know the love of God in Christ Jesus.

You can read today’s chapter by clicking here.

Reflection Questions:

1. Why was it important for Jesus’ followers to hear these parables?
2. How does Jesus summarize the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (see verse 9)?
3. What is the problem with trying to serve two masters? What are you to do about who or what you choose as master of your life?
4. How do you view money? How does God want you to view money? If there is a gap, what can you do to close it?
5. Looking at verses 16-18, how has the coming of the Kingdom supplanted the Law? What does this mean?
6. How do the lives of the Rich Man and Lazarus compare on earth?
7. How does it strike you in this parable that there is evidence of goodness in Hell, but it is unreachable and unattainable?
8. What does this story teach about how we view comfort?
9. What does this story teach about how we view belief?
10. What is Jesus ultimately saying about people?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I need your help with money. I want you to help me manage it so it does not manage me. I recognize it is easy for me to trend toward serving money because of what it represents; things like power, freedom, and security. I choose to serve you, so help me get my priorities aligned with the priorities of your Kingdom. Help me to use all my resources to share my belief in you and help others to come to place their faith in you as well. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.