Stewardship and Eternity: Divine Principles in Luke 16

Luke 16 brings the realities of our stewardship, our attitudes towards wealth, and our response to God's Word into sharp focus. It highlights the divine principles that govern our lives and eternity, urging us to act wisely in light of eternal consequences. As disciples of Jesus, it is an imperative call to faithful stewardship, compassion for the needy, and obedience to God's Word. Our choices in this life have ramifications that echo into eternity.

Verses 1-13: The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

Jesus shares a parable about a dishonest manager who, when faced with the loss of his job, shrewdly reduces the debts owed to his master by others to secure his future. Jesus emphasizes the wise use of worldly wealth to gain eternal rewards and the principle that he who is faithful with little will also be faithful with much.

Verses 14-18: The Pharisees and Love of Money

Jesus confronts the Pharisees, lovers of money, who scoffed at his teachings, emphasizing the value of the law and prophets and God's knowledge of the heart.

Verses 19-31: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

This parable depicts a rich man who lived in luxury while ignoring the poor man Lazarus at his gate. After death, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom while the rich man suffers in Hades. Jesus uses this parable to highlight the eternal implications of earthly choices, the importance of heeding God's Word, and the futility of post-death repentance.

In Luke 16, Jesus addresses important themes including the wise use of earthly wealth, the dangers of the love of money, and the implications of our choices in light of eternity. He uses two memorable parables – the Shrewd Manager and the Rich Man and Lazarus – to deliver lessons about stewardship, worldly wealth, and the afterlife.

Wise Stewardship
Money and Righteousness
Repentance and JudgmentThe Parable of the Shrewd Manager
The Pharisees and Love of Money
The Parable of the Rich Man and LazarusJesus
His Disciples
The Shrewd Manager
The Rich Man
Lazarus
The PhariseesThe Place where Jesus was Teaching

1. What does the parable of the shrewd manager teach us about stewardship and the use of worldly wealth?

2. How does Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees challenge our attitudes towards money and righteousness?

3. What insights can we gain from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus about the consequences of our actions and choices?

4. How does the statement "You cannot serve both God and money" impact your personal financial decisions?

5. What can we learn from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus about our responsibilities towards those in need?

6. How does the idea of faithfulness in small things translate into your daily life?

7. How do the Pharisees' reactions to Jesus' teachings challenge religious hypocrisy in our time?

8. How does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus illustrate the concept of judgment after death?

9. What steps can you take to ensure your stewardship of resources aligns with God's principles?

10. How does this chapter challenge societal norms and expectations about wealth and success?

11. How does the fate of the rich man and Lazarus affect your understanding of justice and fairness?

12. How does Jesus' statement about divorce in verse 18 tie into the overall narrative of this chapter?

13. What lessons can we draw from the rich man's unfulfilled request to warn his brothers?

14. How does the idea of earthly choices having eternal implications influence your actions and decisions?

15. In what ways does this chapter highlight the importance of responding to God's Word in this life?

16. How do you balance the pursuit of worldly resources and spiritual riches in your life?

17. How does the chapter inspire us to evaluate our attitudes and actions towards those less fortunate in our communities?

18. How does this chapter challenge our understanding of repentance and conversion?

19. How can we use our resources to 'make friends' for the kingdom of God, as advised in the parable of the shrewd manager?

20. How do these teachings and parables guide us in living as followers of Christ in the present-day world?