THERE WAS A RICH MAN. The three parables of the 15th chapter were aimed at the _sanctimonious._ This one deals with _greed,_ and may have been aimed at the tax collectors who were there. [Many of them were guilty of dishonesty and mismanagement.] WAS WASTING HIS MASTER'S MONEY. Just like the younger... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I KNOW WHAT I WILL DO. The "way out" of all this comes to him in a flash! SO HE CALLED IN ALL THE PEOPLE. In order to _make friends_ who will welcome him in their homes. He calls these people to come in and lets them "write off' their debts at reduced rates.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MASTER OF THIS DISHONEST MANAGER PRAISED HIM. Not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness in preparing for his future. ARE MUCH MORE SHREWD. The shrewd manager knew better how to deal with his master and the debtors [who were probably tenants] under his control, than people of light know how... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SO I TELL YOU. We are managers of the worldly wealth which God gives us. We must not waste it, nor hoard it up. We are to _use_ it in a way which meets with God's approval, to make friends in that eternal home. It is true of many things, that we _"use it, or lose it!"_... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER IS FAITHFUL IN SMALL MATTERS. A person who is faithful in minor details will not be unfaithful in more important things. IF, THEN, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL. Our management of worldly wealth clearly reveals our character and spirit. The _true wealth_ is the Eternal. WITH WHAT BELONGS TO SOM... [ Continue Reading ]
NO SERVANT CAN BE THE SLAVE OF TWO MASTERS. See note on Matthew 6:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY MADE FUN OF JESUS. They understood Jesus to be attacking _greed,_ and they thought this _foolish,_ because they measured everything in terms of money.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS WORTH NOTHING IN GOD'S SIGHT. The things that seem so important in this world, have no value in God's sight. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE WRITINGS. See notes on Matthew 11:12-13.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IT IS EASIER. See note on Matthew 5:17-18.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANY MAN WHO DIVORCEE HIS WIFE. Marriage meant little to the Pharisees. See notes on Matthew 19:1-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS ONCE A RICH MAN. Jesus tells this to illustrate the result of a wrong attitude and misuse of worldly wealth. The parable of the Shrewd Manager showed how worldly wealth is to be used; this parable shows the horror which a failure to use worldly wealth properly will bring. [_Jesus brings th... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS ALSO A POOR MAN. In the last stages of his life, this poor man has nothing to keep him alive, but the charity he receives. NAMED LAZARUS. This is the only time Jesus mentions a name in a parable. _Lazarus_ means _God a help,_ and it is symbolic of _absolute poverty. Augustine_ wrote: "Does... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WAS CARRIED BY THE ANGELS. Not because he was poor, but because he pleased God.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS IN GREAT PAIN IN HADES. Not because he was rich [Abraham was rich], but because he _failed to use it_ shrewdly. Note also that both were Jews, and therefore both people of God. The difference between them in this parable is how they used what they had.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE PITY ON ME. Note that the rich man was very conscious of his surroundings, and that he could both see and recognize Abraham. [The Jews had a saying: "Abraham sits at the entrance to Hades and will not let his descendants go in there.] He calls on Abraham for help. The conditions of the rich man... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER, MY SON. Alford (Greek Testament) says: "Analogy gives us every reason to suppose that in the disembodied state the whole life on earth will lie before the soul in all its thoughts, words, and deeds, like a map of the past journey before a traveler.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS A DEEP PIT. Permanent and impassible! In the future state, the good and the evil will be separated from each other. [See note at the end of this chapter.]... [ Continue Reading ]
SEND LAZARUS TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE. He first thought of himself. Now he wants to warn his family. This is brought up to emphasize what follows. YOUR BROTHERS HAVE MOSES AND THE PROPHETS TO WARN THEM. The rich man and his brothers thought worldly wealth was the only REALITY. The warning was there, lou... [ Continue Reading ]