Sermon snippet – Am I a Faithful Steward? Part II
INTRODUCTION – As we began to consider last week, we are not called to be great or famous; rather, we are expected to be “faithful” stewards (I Corinthians 4:1-2). Luke 16:14-31 teaches about the importance of stewardship. Specifically, Jesus emphasizes the eternal aspect of this stewardship.
- THE PROBLEM WITH OUR ASSUMPTIONS IS THAT THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS WRONG
We might occasionally assume something and be right, for a broken clock is right twice a day (at least the old-fashioned kind). The assumptions of “the Pharisees” (verse 14) are debunked in this extended parable. First, they thought that this “certain rich man” (verse 19) was pleasing to God. Their theology incorrectly held that a man’s material wealth was an indication of his closeness to God. Thus, like today’s New Age movement, they also assumed that the “certain beggar named Lazarus” (verse 20) was being punished by God with extreme poverty and poor health. At the very core of their teaching, then, the Pharisees (“who were covetous” – verse 14) were wrong about God. Second, they were wrong about other people. Their worldly assessment of these two men demonstrates their lack of spiritual insight. If we had been at the Cross watching Jesus die, we could have easily reached the conclusion that He was suffering because He was not the Savior, rather than the correct interpretation that He was suffering because He was and is the Savior. We must be careful about linking the troubles, trials, and traumas of others with their spiritual condition. Third, the Pharisees were wrong about themselves. Their smug self-satisfaction explains the seemingly incongruous inclusion of verse 18. Pharisaical self-indulgence included the cavalier casting away of a wife for any reason; of course, the wife was not permitted to do the same. This casual casuistry is devilish dogma, and Jesus rightly repudiates it. Because assumptions are dangerous, we need to seek certainties. Let us briefly (?) consider three certainties suggested by our text.
- THE CHANCE OF DEATH IS ABOUT ONE IN ONE
Enoch, Elijah, and Christians alive at the time of the Rapture are exceptions to the general rule. A few – those raised from the dead by the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles – died twice. For every one else, rich or poor, the chance of death is exactly one in one. A wise person prepares for this certainty. Hebrews 9:27 bluntly states, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” The second part of this verse leads us to a second great certainty.
- THE FUTURE HOLDS ETERNAL JUDGMENT
This parable tells us that there are two different destinations after this mortal life. Because it is a parable, we should not build a theology of heaven and hell exclusively on these verses (for example, communication between the two and also the rule of Abraham); however, everything here is consistent with the explicit teaching found throughout the New Testament regarding eternity. Future, everlasting outcomes are real, based on what we do with Jesus’ gracious offer of salvation (verses 27-31). Stewardship in this life demands that we be ready for the next.
- NOW IS THE TIME TO MEND AND TEND RELATIONSHIPS
We have already touched upon verse 18. Clearly, Jesus is telling all of us that marriage should be sacrosanct: “They two shall be one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31). Moreover, the rich man’s concern for his siblings is touching (verses 27-28), but it is inefficacious because it is too late. Now is the time to exercise faithful stewardship in our relationships.
CONCLUSION – Some have wondered why the poor man in this parable is named Lazarus. The answer is straightforward: Lazarus means “God is my help.” If we are to be faithful stewards, we need God as our help. Specifically, we need God the Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior. We must not assume that we are saved; we must be certain that we are trusting fully and only in Him for eternal salvation. Only then can we begin to become the faithful people that God wants and that people need.