Serve God with money. That is a hard truth. Our text from Luke 16 is one of the more confusing parables to folks. Yet, it’s message is simple. It’s not your money.
Hard Truth – The Found are Left
The found are left. On a certain level anything that is lost was at one point “found”, right? This point of logic matters spiritually because of how we look at the world around us. Where do you see yourself? Are you found or lost?
Hard Truth – The First Will Be Last
The first will be last. That sounds like it could be a confusing truth. As we look at our text from the gospel of Luke we see the hard truth.
Hard Truth – Division
Hard truth doesn’t sound very fun, does it? But just like straight talk from the dentist who wants you to keep your teeth, hard truth from your God comes from a loving heart that wants to save souls. Yet we tend to think of God as… nice.
Focused on Living
Jesus wants focused followers. However, one of the things that can most easily get in the way of our focus is our earthly possessions. It is no surprise, therefore, that Jesus’ words so frequently focus his followers on wealth. Jesus’ followers don’t reject earthly wealth or despise it. They can be grateful for every good gift that comes from the hand of God.
Christ Sends Ministers
Christ has not only given us his powerful Word. In his grace, he gives us ministers who proclaim that Word to us in whatever ways we need at the time: words of comfort, words of instruction, or even words of rebuke. Those who are entrusted with the care of Jesus’ flock are expected to shepherd that flock just as Jesus would.