1And Jesus also told this story to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man, who had a steward who was accused of wasting his goods (possessions).
2And he summoned him, and said, “What is this that I hear this about you? Give an account of your stewardship; because you may be no longer steward”.
3Then the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot do physical labor like digging; and I am too proud to beg.
4I know what I will do, so that when I am put out of the stewardship, people will welcome me into their homes”.
5So he called in each of his master's debtors, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil’. And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write “fifty”’.
7Then said he to another, ‘And how much do you owe?” And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat’. And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write “eighty”’.
8And the master commended the unjust steward, because he had acted shrewdly; for it is true that the men of this world are in their generation (passing environment) are more shrewd in dealing with their peers than are the children of light (believers whose eyes are focused on a more distant and lasting prize).
9And I say to you, ‘Make to yourselves friends by means of the money of unrighteousness (worldly wealth); that, when it fails, you may be received (welcomed) you into everlasting (eternal) habitations. This parable, and the comments by Jesus could be misconstrued to conclude that Jesus condones and even applauds the behavior of the unjust steward. That would be in conflict with all that He teaches throughout the NT. Verse 9 does not advocate using wealth to secure friends and security in this world, as the unjust steward did; but rather that believers should use their resources for works of mercy and benevolence, aiding the poor and advancing the gospel message, thereby attaining or securing future (eternal) comfort for themselves and others.
10He that is faithful (can be trusted) in the little things is also faithful (can be trusted) in larger matters; and he that is unjust (dishonest) in the little things will also be unjust (dishonest) with greater responsibilities.
11So if you have not been faithful in handling the material things, such as money, of this world, who will trust you with the true and lasting riches?
12And if you have not been faithful (trustworthy) with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will be devoted to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Following is a mere opinion; take it or reject is as you see fit: The converse of verse 13 also seems to be true: No one can serve no (zero) masters: many delude themselves into thinking that they are their own boss (master); but if you examine such people carefully, you will find that they are serving, or are sold out to, the master of their own choosing (whether they realize it or not) – they will ultimately serve someone, or something, be it an ideology, philosophy, a person, career, a movement, a cult, or whatever – these become their masters; and, in effect, their god.
14And the Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all these things; and they derided Him.
15And He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts; for what people highly esteem is detestable in the sight of God.
16The law and the prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the kingdom of God is preached (proclaimed), and every man is eager to get in.
17And it is easier for heaven and earth to disappear, than one tittle (smallest point) of the law to fail.
18Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery; and the man who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”
19Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day;
20And there was a beggar, named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, covered with sores,
21And seeking to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; and the dogs would come and lick his sores.
22And the time came when that beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried;
23And in hades, where he was in torments, he looked, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus at his side.
24And he called to him, and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame’.
25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime, you received your good things, while Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.
26And furthermore, between you and us there is a great gulf (chasm) set in place; so that no one can pass from here to you; nor can anyone pass from there to us.’
27Then former rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father Abraham, that you would send Lazarus to my father's house,
28For I have five brothers, that he may warn them, so that they will not come into this place of torment”.
29Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them’.
30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one went to them from the dead, they will repent and turn to God.’.
31And Abraham said to him, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead’.” Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
    |