He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.

Luke 16:21

Lazarus would have loved to eat off the floor in the rich man’s house. To understand the contrast here, we have to understand the role of dogs in ancient times. Dogs were not the prized companions that they are today. Traveling in wandering packs, they were seen more as the vultures of the ground.

The contrast here is not simply rich and poor. It is also a contrast between honor and shame. The rich man was viewed positively by his peers. Lazarus was viewed in shame by everyone.

In Jewish society, this was especially true. This rich man would have been seen as a true son of Abraham. His affluence served as evidence of his holiness in the mind of the Jewish society of Jesus’ day. Lazarus’ poverty was seen as evidence of his sinfulness. As a result, this parable turned the accepted thinking on its head.

Heavenly Father, I am so often reminded that You do not think the way we do. Your plans are different from ours. You can know it all ahead of time. Your ways are perfect. I can not comprehend You fully. I can only rely upon You for understanding. Thank You for allowing us to even know You at all. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise You, Amen.

But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate.

Luke 16:20

Notice very well the way this is stated. Lazarus was ‘left’ or ‘laid’ at the rich man’s gate. This poor fellow was obviously the victim of a malady that was not communicable. And, as such he was put in the place that he remained in much of the time. He was homeless. Likely his few friends had secured this spot for him.

We do not know if the rich man had anything to do with the placement of Lazarus, but they knew each other and the rich man was familiar with Lazarus’ predicament. He may even have felt himself very beneficent to allow this sore-covered fellow anywhere close to his home. Begging at this rich man’s gate at least provided for Lazarus a meager existence.

Heavenly Father, the material blessings that You give us are such a source of happiness for us. But when we think of spiritual blessings, the joy we can share with each other is boundless. Your grace, mercy, and love are endless. The wisdom, peace, patience, and endurance that we can gain from You are precious gifts. You are always new to us. Your ways and thoughts are so much higher than we realize. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.

Luke 16:19

There has always been a debate about this rich man. Did Jesus have someone in particular in mind? Personally I think it is very likely He did. But in any case, there were any number of rich folks in His days that this could be about.

Jesus starts this parable by giving us a descriptive picture of this individual. He is not simply well off. This man was among the ‘obnoxious’ rich. Everyone knew he was rich, and he liked it that way.

Heavenly Father, Your Name is Great and Your Word is Marvelous above all else. I can never grasp all that is to be known of You. But each day in pursuit of that knowledge brings me joy. Thank You for the choices You have made. You are always right and good. It makes life worth living. We can face tomorrow knowing You are in charge. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and everyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Luke 16:18

In my years I have come across some who felt this passage was too harsh, and should be buried in obscurity. But I have also met many who were very aquatinted with the horrors of divorce. They felt the weight and pain of the experience.

I have seen people survive divorce with their integrity intact. Far more often, it destroys the integrity of both parties. Therefore I find it very unwise to try and ‘water down’ the plain meaning of Scripture. Divorce and adultery are inseparably intertwined.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of marriage. You have always encouraged good, healthy, strong families. This is one of the many ways we see Your great wisdom and love. You understand us so much better than we understand ourselves. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out.

Luke 16:17

The Bible shares with us in many places the fact that God’s Word is changeless. It is tied to the LORD Himself, and as such is immutable. This is one of the many reasons that interacting with the Bible daily is so important. It serves as an anchor. Even for Christians there is still a temptation in our souls to be unstable.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your immutability. It is easy for us to misunderstand Your changelessness. We usually think that means You are rigid and hard, unfeeling and like a stone. But You are not. You are a wonderful, beautiful person that is more alive and full of feeling than we are. But You need not grow or modify Yourself. Instead, You are the Fountain of Life. You alone uphold everything. Existence is itself dependent upon You and Your Divine Essence. Thank You for being The Good One and The Only One! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it.

Luke 16:16

On several occasions Jesus signaled what time it was in the plan of God. His listeners, by and large, missed these messages. But He did indicate that there was a shift in progress, and warned the wise to be ready and responsive.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Truth! You are altogether wonderful and awesome beyond all imagination. We see only a glimpse of Your glory and are as yet overwhelmed. May we bring You praise in all that we do! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And He told them: “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.

Luke 16:15

Money was not an indication of righteousness. The theology of the Pharisees was all wrong. They thought they were good because they were rich. They did not value what God values, but what man values.

Heavenly Father, thank You for putting value into our lives. To be justified in Your sight by Your Son is a blessing beyond words. Self-justification is unnecessary and ineffective. But the cross is both necessary and effective. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and scoffing at Him.

Luke 16:14

How could the Pharisees reconcile their love of money with a love for God? They didn’t reconcile it, they equated it. In the mind of a good Pharisee, money was a signof God’s approval and blessing. Pharisees revelled in enjoying money because they saw it as evidence of their holiness.

The Pharisees scoffed because Jesus was not rich, nor did He value money the way they did. This is one of the key reasons that they rejected His message. They could not see their King in this man who did not understand the truth about money.

Heavenly Father, thank You for clarity. Only when we gaze upon Christ and see Him as He is do we begin to understand the realities of life. When we get a sense of the absolute and objective horrible nature of our sin, we begin to understand the breadth and height of the light and love You shed abroad by Christ. The wave of mercy and grace overcomes our pride and brings us to a profound humility. Oh to be like Christ! That is all that we need hope for. He is sufficient. Father, You are the Glorious One. I will love and praise You forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

No household slave can be the slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t be slaves to both God and money.

Luke 16:13

Jesus is making it clear here that He is not teaching we should let money be our god. The parable He shares here illustrates the need for faithfulness. But money is only a tool, and makes a poor master.

Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your Word! Having Your Truth available is such a blessing. Thank You for Your wisdom, grace, and love. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what is your own?

Luke 16:12

It is very important to understand the work ethic of the Bible. Working faithfully both with one’s own possessions, and those of others, is strongly taught. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that your possessions are meant to be used to bless others as well as yourself. Work is a gift from God, and is meant to be done in Christ’s Name to the Glory of the Lord God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for work! It is acceptable and admirable in all. Our duty to you and our fellow humans is of inestimable value to our lives. When we live by Your economy, our life brings glory to You. You are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.