THE TRUE RICHES Luke 16 11 By Ron

THE TRUE RICHES Luke 16: 11 [By Ron Halbrook]

Luke 16: 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 2

THE TRUE RICHES Introduction 1. True riches in kingdom of God: all spiritual blessings in fellowship with God 2. Common thread in Luke 16: attitude toward material things affects attitude toward spiritual things 3

THE TRUE RICHES Introduction 3. To obtain true riches: – Put God over mammon (vv. 1 -13) – Put truth over selfish desire (vv. 14 -18) – Put next world over this one (vv. 19 -31) 4

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon 5

Luke 16: 1 -2 1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 6

Luke 16: 3 -4 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 7

Luke 16: 5 -7 5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 8

Luke 16: 8 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9

Luke 16: 9 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10

Luke 16: 10 -12 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 11

Luke 16: 13 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 12

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon A. Parable of Unjust Steward: Unfaithful Jews – Something of value entrusted: accountability • Deut. 32: 15 God to give Canaan to Israel, then “Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked” • Amos 6: 1 “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion: ” prosperity, entertainment, apathy • Many Jews failed in their stewardship 13

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon B. Unjust Steward Acted Wisely: – Used his office to bless & befriend debtors who will receive him • • Vs. 9 God’s people should use possessions unselfishly to bless & befriend others in need When stewardship ends, we will be received in heaven by those we served 14

Use possessions to bless others Luke 16: 9 KJV 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luke 16: 9 NIV 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into everlasting dwellings. Be received in heaven by those we blessed 15

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon C. Vv. 10 -12 Distinguish the “Least” & the “Much” 16

Luke 16: 10 -12 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 17

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon C. Vv. 10 -12 Distinguish the “Least” & the “Much” – Least in value: material blessings • Land & nation promises— to prepare for Messianic kingdom • Squandered these blessings— selfish lives, not serve God & brethren • “That which is another man’s: ” temporary stewardship 18

Luke 16: 10 -12 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 19

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon C. Vv. 10 -12 Distinguish the “Least” & the “Much” – Much in value: spiritual blessings • Blessings of the Messianic kingdom • “The true riches” • “That which is your own: ” gift of salvation from sin, eternal life in heaven 20

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon C. Vv. 10 -12 Distinguish the “Least” & the “Much” – Jews unfaithful in use of material blessings: unfit to receive spiritual blessings • Selfish lives: valued the least above the much • Could not appreciate or properly use “the true riches” 21

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon D. Our Attitude toward Material Things? – Gal. 6: 10 Opportunity plus ability=responsibility 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 22

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon D. Our Attitude toward Material Things? – 2 Cor. 9: 7 Give with cheerful heart 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 23

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon D. Our Attitude toward Material Things? – Heb. 10: 34 Sacrifice temporal things for eternal 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 24

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon D. Our Attitude toward Material Things? – Use home, car, money, time to serve God & man – Give Bibles, gospel literature – Give money to support preachers, help them buy teaching aids – Visit gospel meetings, debates, singings – Encourage sons: preach, elder, deacon – Churches & individuals spread gospel worldwide 25

THE TRUE RICHES I. Vv. 1 -13 Put God Over Mammon E. Vs. 13 Choose One: God OR Mammon – BOTH cannot have 1 st place in our heart 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 26

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire 27

Luke 16: 14 -15 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 28

Luke 16: 16 -18 16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. 29

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire A. Vv. 14 -15 Jesus’ Preaching Applied God’s Word Covetous Pharisees got the point— resented, resisted, ridiculed Jesus shows they justify their own desires rather than submit to the law of God Abomination to God: vain pride, position, wealth, learning, eloquence, titles, perverting the truth to please men, blind followers, elevated in life & death 30

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire A. Vv. 14 -15 Jesus’ Preaching Applied God’s Word – God wants the truth exalted above men in sincere, simple, plain teaching – The Pharisees detested the teaching of Jesus as much God detested their pious pretensions 31

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire B. Vs. 16 “The Kingdom of God Is Preached” – John & Jesus proclaimed this kingdom near – Spiritual kingdom for poor, humble, contrite – The kingdom of God on the earth in the gospel age is the church of Christ established in Acts 2 32

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire B. Vs. 16 “Every Man Presseth into It” – Pharisees thought they wanted God’s kingdom & its riches – The truth Jesus taught prevented them entering with their materialism & pride – They wanted to enter the kingdom with their selfish desires in spite of the truth Jesus taught 33

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire C. Vv. 17 -18 Pharisees Not Enter God’s Kingdom – God’s law not yield one iota to man’s desires – God’s law on marriage illustrates their dilemma • Perverted Deut. 24: 1 -4 to allow divorce for any & all whims • The law of Christ will be stricter than Moses 34

THE TRUE RICHES II. Vv. 14 -18 Put Truth Over Selfish Desire C. Vv. 17 -18 Pharisees Not Enter God’s Kingdom – Man’s pride & perversion of truth prevent men from entering the kingdom while professing to enroll them in it! • Jesus confronted false doctrines & teachers out of a love for God, truth, & souls 35

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One 36

Luke 16: 19 -21 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 37

Luke 16: 22 -24 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 38

Luke 16: 25 -26 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 39

Luke 16: 27 -29 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 40

Luke 16: 30 -31 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. 41

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One A. Rich Man: Picture of Unfaithful Jews – Life of materialism & selfish desire • At ease in Zion • Not use possessions to serve God & man 42

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One B. Some Claim This Is a Parable – Text not say so—Lazarus a personal name – If so, it means such events happen often 43

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One C. Hadean World Real! – Righteous & wicked dead exist, conscious! – Righteous souls comforted: awaiting eternal state in resurrected body in heaven – Wicked souls tormented: awaiting eternal state in resurrected body 44

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One D. Vs. 26 “A Great Gulf Fixed: ” Our Destiny Cannot Be Changed After Death 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 45

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One E. God Does Not Measure As Man Does – Lazarus died in pain & obscurity: God esteemed him highly & comforted him – Rich man died in comfort & fame: his life an abomination to God & he was tormented (vs. 15) 46

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One F. God Ordained Truth as the Means to Save Us – If we want to be saved, we must obey the truth (not one iota will yield to our selfish desire, vs. 29 Abraham saith unto him, 17) They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 47

THE TRUE RICHES III. Vv. 19 -31 Put the Next World Over This One F. God Ordained Truth as the Means to Save Us – If we want others to be saved, we must teach them the truth 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 48

THE TRUE RICHES Invitation: 1. True riches in kingdom of God: all spiritual blessings in fellowship with God 2. Common thread in Luke 16: attitude toward material things affects attitude toward spiritual things 49

THE TRUE RICHES Invitation: 3. To obtain true riches: – Put God over mammon (vv. 1 -13) – Put truth over selfish desire (vv. 14 -18) – Put next world over this one (vv. 19 -31) 50

THE TRUE RICHES Invitation: 4. Christ offers the true riches now: – Acts 8: 22 To the erring saint 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 51

THE TRUE RICHES Invitation: 4. Christ offers the true riches now: – Gal 3: 26 -27 To the sinner in the world 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 52