Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 16 : 14-17 "NOW THE PHARISEES, WHO WERE LOVERS OF MONEY..." Luke 16:14"
Day 199 – Luke 16
Text: Luke 16 : 14-17
“NOW THE PHARISEES, WHO WERE LOVERS OF MONEY…” Luke 16:14
As Jesus taught great principles concerning how to view the issue of money, the Pharisees heard what He said. These enemies of Jesus were described by Luke as “lovers of money” (Luke 16:14). He did not merely describe them as “wealthy”. He pointed out that they were just people who loved money.
When they heard Jesus teaching about how one must be wise, faithful, and not having two masters, they objected. In fact, we read that “they derided Him” (Luke 16:14). They could not agree with Jesus, for there was that fear that they could be poorer if they applied His teachings into their life. Their premises were wrong and their conclusion was false. They ran into problems simply because Luke was right in describing them as “lovers of money”.
“YOU ARE THOSE WHO JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN…” Luke 16:15
Jesus did not rebuke them for their wealth, nevertheless they derided Jesus for His teaching on the subject of riches. Let us consider carefully why they derided Jesus. To “deride” is to “mock” or “scoff”. They literally laughed at Jesus!
Did they mock Him because Jesus did not have personal, material wealth? Did they scoff at Him because He was dependent upon the support of people? Did they mock Him to cover up the fears in their hearts that He was right?
The Pharisees were far more conscious of men than they were of God. They could always come up with an explanation for all they did. If they disagreed with Jesus, they could also find something that would enable them to justify themselves before men.
If Jesus had wanted to be wealthy through healing people, He could have been very wealthy indeed. He must have healed thousands of people, but He charged no fee.
Jesus could have earned His living through teaching God’s Word too. The Scribes made their living through teaching the Scriptures.
Jesus could have received many precious gifts from the people who heard Him and loved Him. However, He did not profit from those He helped and healed!
The methods of Jesus obviously differed from the Pharisees and Scribes. This disagreement was just one of many points of strong disagreements between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day.
“BUT GOD KNOWS YOUR HEARTS..” Luke 16:15
Jesus appealed to God as the final and great Arbiter. Who was right? Was Jesus right or were the Pharisees right? Jesus could say, “But God knows your hearts.” By so saying, Jesus pointed to God as the One who would judge correctly and righteously.
The Pharisees certainly would not dare to invoke the sacred Name of God to justify their actions! They could only seek to justify themselves before men, but not God!
Of course Jesus was right in His teaching. He who can appeal to God must surely know God’s mind on this subject. Jesus knew the Scriptures and what was taught. He knew exactly what God felt about material wealth. Thus He could appeal to God as One who knows the human heart.
“FOR WHAT IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS AN ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD” Luke 16:15
Wealth for its own sake was highly esteemed among men! Wealth should not be esteemed for its own sake.
1. Wealth should be seen as a special gift from God.
2. It should be seen as God’s blessing to those who have worked with wisdom, and in righteousness acquired wealth.
3. Wealth must be regarded as a responsibility as well. It was meant to be used for doing good, and for serving God.
4. Wealth should never be obtained through illegitimate means!
If wealth is highly esteemed for its own sake, then God’s view towards it would be “abomination”. Wealth itself cannot be an abomination, for it is God who gave the power to obtain wealth. However, when people become slaves to riches, then wealth would be an abomination to God.
A WISE MAN’S OBSERVATION
Solomon was arguably the richest of the ancient kings of Israel. One day, God offered to grant him any wish that he would request. Solomon asked that he might be given wisdom.
God was pleased with his request and He said,
“Because you have asked this thing,
and have not asked long life for yourself,
nor have asked riches for yourself,
nor have asked the life of your enemies,
but have asked for yourself
understanding to discern justice;
Behold ,I have done according to your words;
See, I have given you a wise
And understanding heart,
So that there has not been anyone like you before you,
Nor shall any like you arise after you.
And I have also given you what you have not asked ;
Riches and honour…”
1 Kings 3:11-13
When Solomon’s heart began to stray, he began to realize that all his wisdom and wealth did not bring any lasting comfort to his heart. He looked at all he possessed and said,
“I looked on all the works that my hands had done…
and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind”
Ecclesiastes 2:11
It is not wealth that satisfies, but God involved in our life.