Bible Chapter: Luke 16

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Verse 10 jumps out to me with a very interesting insight.  If you can be trusted with a little, you can be trusted with lots.  And, the opposite is true.  There are some people who simply can’t be trusted.  I see the confused thinking of our world today in something called compartmentalization.  People see their lives as compartments.  They can cheat and be dishonest here, while they think they can be honest and upright in other places.  There are politicians who want us to believe they can be dishonest in their personal/marital relationships and yet we can trust them to do what is right in their political office.  Many businesses have failed because someone thought they could cheat in their private life and they wouldn’t cheat in business.
    A major factor in whether a person can be trusted is their opinion of money.  Do they love it?  It is not money, but the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil.  A person in love with money has character issues.  Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money.  It is one or the other.  These two are mutually exclusive.  It is simple to get caught up with a love of money (material possessions).  A person doesn’t have to be wealthy to be in love with things.  A person in love with money loses the understanding of the value of human life.  Money is temporary, for when a person dies it is all left behind.
    This is all illustrated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  This man lived in luxury and for luxury.  He had no compassion on those with need.  Lazarus lived a hard life but loved God.  The rich man wouldn’t listen to those who spoke for God and his need to serve God.  He only loved his excess and comfort.  When he ended up in torment in hell, he begged for relief.  Sadly, it was too late and it was his own fault.
    This story ends up with a powerful insight.  The rich man said that if someone came back from the dead and warn his brothers, they would believe and be spared the torment of hell.  The response was that if they didn’t believe, they wouldn’t believe even if one came back from the dead.  The free will of the human race can be very stubborn.  Sadly, people use it to think they are smarter than God and they have to live life their own way.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I must continue to learn what honesty and integrity are, and strive to practice them more and more.  This might sound like I have failed in this area.  No, I have not.  But, there is a necessary continual growth in life and in all good areas we must continue to grow.  I must go forward and be careful to not be in love with money.  God gives us resources to use them for good.  He blesses those who use them for good.  God wants us to use our resources to help people and advance His kingdom.
    Never forget that it is in this lifetime that the decision to serve God must be made.  There is a large chasm between heaven and hell and it cannot be crossed.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Ask God to guide in how to use my resources to impact eternity.  There are more resources available than people think.  If Christians would use them as God directs, we can work together and impact need.