Luke 16:1-31

Contents: Parable of the unjust steward. Jesus answers Pharisees. Rich man and Lazarus in the spirit world.

Characters: God, Jesus, disciples, John the Baptist, rich man, Lazarus, Abraham, five brothers of rich man, Moses.

Conclusion: Worldlings are often more consistent with themselves and more enthusiastically pursue their ends than Christians. Though they aim low they aim better, improving their opportunities and doing that first which is most needed. Let us be thus wise in spiritual affairs.

Prosperity is not a mark of being a favorite of heaven, nor poverty a mark of God's rejection of a man. Salvation is appropriated by those only who accept the evidence of God's Word during their lifetime, and, having died outside of Christ, there is no ray of hope eternally.

Key Word: Wisdom, Luke 16:8; opportunity lost, Luke 16:25.

Strong Verses: Luke 16:10; Luke 16:13; Luke 16:15.

Striking Facts: Luke 16:23. «Hell» is lit, «hades,» the prison place of departed unsaved spirits until the time of the Great White Throne judgment, when these spirits shall be resurrected for judgment and sent into the final hell forever. This is not a parable, for Jesus never names the characters in parables, with definite statements of things that took place.