Most Valuable

Read This Week: Luke 16

There was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen who lived in luxury every day. At his gate was a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. – Luke 16:19-23 NIV

It is ironic that those who were supposed to be the most spiritual among the crowd that Jesus spoke to in this chapter made fun of his teaching about the proper handling of money and stewardship. It says in verse 14 that the Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 

The word sneer means that they stuck their nose up at him and at his encouragement for people to love God more than money and possessions. The Pharisees were the ones that should have been agreeing with and championing Jesus’ message the most. They honored the Lord with their words, but with their love of wealth, they held on to the world. Sadly, many others today are caught up in the same deception and fail to grasp the most valuable thing in life.

Unsurprisingly, Jesus was not deterred by the Pharisees and the mocking of his teaching. He kept on instructing the crowds and us about what is most important in life through the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This man of wealth was among the richest in the city as he dined on expensive foods, wore the highest clothes, and lived in luxury every day (v.19). His lifestyle was ostentatious; his riches incurred the envy and admiration of the people. On the outside, this guy was living his best life.

In stark contrast to the rich man, Lazarus was a beggar who lacked the ability to walk or stand and was laid at the gate (v.20) of the wealthy man every day. Verses 20-21 tell us that he was covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. Lazarus was so destitute and impoverished that the only attention he could get was from the neighborhood dogs who licked his open wounds. All the while, the rich man could have helped him, yet he was too wrapped up in his own comfort. 

But as is with everyone who has ever lived, death is the great equalizer. Luke 16 tells us that both men died, and Lazarus, who suffered greatly in his life, went to heaven. The rich man who lived in the lap of luxury and solace on earth, went to Hades, where he was in torment. The next part of the story is difficult to read. The rich man can do nothing about his eternal condition and even begs for Lazarus, the one who sat at his gate every day begging for scraps from his table, to come and help him. Even in the depths of eternal despair, the rich man was self-centered and missed what is most important.

We must be careful not to think that the rich man is condemned because of his wealth and Lazarus is saved because of his poverty. Neither would be the case. The truth is that one understood what was ultimately more valuable – a relationship with God. One trusted in his riches, and the other trusted in the Lord. It is a timeless lesson for all of us to secure our focus on God and not on our stuff because valuable things are not the most valuable thing. It is our eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

5 Comments

  1. Heidi on June 30, 2022 at 10:14 am

    This is a great song for learning to live in the moment with God
    What matters to Father is that we want to, we pay more attention through out our day
    what Father God wants us doing for the family of God, we don’t want to miss out on what He has for
    us to do. So, keep asking Father God to help you to keep you in moment with Him.

    Keep me in the moment
    Jeremey Camp

    I’ve been thinking ’bout time
    And where does it go
    How can I stop my life from passing me by, I don’t know
    I’ve been thinking ’bout family and how it’s going so fast
    Will I wake up one morning just wishing that I could go back
    I’ve been thinking ’bout lately, maybe
    I can make a change and let you change me
    So, with all of my heart this is my prayer
    Singing oh Lord, keep me in the moment
    Help me live with my eyes wide open
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    Singing oh Lord, show me what matters
    Throw away what I’m chasing after
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    Keep me in the moment
    Oh, keep me in the moment
    Keep me in the moment
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    When I wake up in the morning
    Lord, search my heart
    Don’t let me stray, I just wanna stay where you are
    All I got is one shot, one try
    One go around in this beautiful life
    Nothing is wasted when everything’s placed in your hands
    Singing oh Lord, keep me in the moment
    Help me live with my eyes wide open
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    Singing oh Lord, show me what matters
    Throw away what I’m chasing after
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    Keep me in the moment
    Oh, keep me in the moment (Keep me in the moment)
    Keep me in the moment
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    I’ve been thinking about heaven
    And the promise you hold
    So, it’s all eyes on you
    Until the day you call me home
    Singing oh Lord, keep me in the moment
    Help me live with my eyes wide open
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    (I don’t wanna miss, I don’t wanna miss)
    Singing oh Lord, show me what matters
    Throw away what I’m chasing after
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    Keep me in the moment
    Oh, keep me in the moment
    Keep me in the moment
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me
    Keep me in the moment (Keep me in the moment)
    Oh, keep me in the moment (Keep me in the moment)
    Keep me in the moment
    ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me (What you have for me)

  2. Heidi on June 30, 2022 at 10:45 am

    What does the Bible say about biblical stewardship?
    Biblical stewardship means being a caretaker of God’s kingdom. As Peter said, in 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God.

    God was showing me is that we live in today with Him now.
    Jesus is teaching to be a good steward with our gifts and what He blesses us with.
    It all starts with wanting to do something for the Family of God and reaching out to those who don’t Know Father God yet.
    We don’t want to miss out on any moments, opportunities to help someone.
    Start your day with saying good morning to Father God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit,
    Ask Him what’s on His heart, Have a plan everyday how you can be apart of what God is doing. be intentional about growing in you faith.
    When your faithful in the little things God will bless you with more.
    Develop a plan to reach out to others, Have your testimony down to share when Father God gives you the opportunity.
    Everyday is a gift from God to invest into the kingdom in someway.
    Remember Everything comes from God, He gives us resources to serve Him to help others, we want to show His love by encouraging others, helping others as He leads us for Him.
    So we want to learn from Jesus, what to do and what not to do.
    Remember today is a new day with Father God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit

    Thank you Father God that we get to serve You, help others for You, Please help us to be more faithful and to invest into Your family more and more.
    Help us to be more aware of being a good steward, a good caretaker for You.
    Love you

    • Alma on July 5, 2022 at 4:53 pm

      This week I have a song in Luke 16 while listening to the message.

      Building a relationship
      Building a relationship with our Lord building a relationship with our Lord trusting obeying becoming closer to our Lord what a treasure knowing how much we are loved our Lord knows our hearts he knows what we’re thinking let’s stand together become stronger in our faith our father knows exactly what we need focus on our gods moment spending time in the moment getting what we need obey and trust in our Lord doing everything with our Lord building a relationship with our Lord building a relationship with our Lord trusting obeying and become closer to our Lord amen.

      My life has changed so much. So many times I just simply cannot believe how many treasures God has for you and me. Thanking you again God, Jesus and the holy spirit.

  3. reachchurch on July 3, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    This Week in the Life: Luke 16

    For the best experience, we suggest that you listen to the first song, then the message, and then the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-0703-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-0703-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-0703-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  4. Kathy on July 6, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    This was what I got from God in Luke 16. One day you will have to give account of your stewardship regarding your time, talents, your material possessions and your influence. You as a Christian, should take this seriously. This world would be a different place, if people pursued My kingdom, with the same zeal that they pursue worldly possessions and pleasures. You are not to depend on these things for your happiness. Depend on Me for your joy and happiness. Invest your resources for Me now, don’t wait until you think you have enough. If you want to receive spiritual riches, you can not be false and unfaithful in your everyday life. All your riches belong to Me, and you must understand you are managing My resources. If you are faithful in doing this, you will be blessed. You can not serve both money and Me. Sacrifice for the sake of Jesus. I know your heart and who you serve. I see who you really are. I want you to have passion to pursue My kingdom. Submit to and obey My word. Live your life loving and trusting Me.

    What this said to me is one day I will have to face God and give account of how I have lived my life, and how I have used my gifts that He has given me to help others. I need to depend on Him and serve Him, rather than worldly things. I need to be passionate about pursuing Him and submit to Him, and trust and obey His will for me.

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