Encounter the Truth

Here is the foundational promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus and the gospel. It all comes from God and his initiative. Abraham is the recipient, as we are recipients in Christ. This blessing is meant to go to the world—and so our missionary mandate is found here. The folly of Abraham here reminds us that the blessing rests on grace and not merit.

What does Jesus expect from us in terms of our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure? Perhaps to our surprise, he does not simply want us to guard the resources he has entrusted to us—he wants us to put them to use with energy and zeal. He wants us not to be risk averse, but rather to show a godly ambition for his work to move forward. He wants to see growth and dividends from what he has left in our care.

What does Jesus expect from us in terms of our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure? Perhaps to our surprise, he does not simply want us to guard the resources he has entrusted to us—he wants us to put them to use with energy and zeal. He wants us not to be risk averse, but rather to show a godly ambition for his work to move forward. He wants to see growth and dividends from what he has left in our care.

Jesus wants us to know how hard it is for the rich to be saved—not because riches are evil, but because they matter far too much to those who have them. When faced with the choice between keeping his riches and following Jesus, the rich ruler in Jesus’ story chose his riches—and so his story is a powerful warning to us. But Jesus also wants us to know that any disciple who makes sacrifices for him does not lose out in the end.

Jesus wants us to know how hard it is for the rich to be saved—not because riches are evil, but because they matter far too much to those who have them. When faced with the choice between keeping his riches and following Jesus, the rich ruler in Jesus’ story chose his riches—and so his story is a powerful warning to us. But Jesus also wants us to know that any disciple who makes sacrifices for him does not lose out in the end.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is here to show us what matters in the long run and what does not. The rich man enjoyed good things in this life, but they mean nothing to him beyond the grave—where he finds himself excluded from the bliss of the Lord’s presence and the Kingdom. From the other side of the grave, his greatest wish is for his loved ones to be warned to repent, but he is powerless to help them by that time. This vision of eternity gives us a powerful and clear perspective on wealth and what really matters.

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is here to show us what matters in the long run and what does not. The rich man enjoyed good things in this life, but they mean nothing to him beyond the grave—where he finds himself excluded from the bliss of the Lord’s presence and the Kingdom. From the other side of the grave, his greatest wish is for his loved ones to be warned to repent, but he is powerless to help them by that time. This vision of eternity gives us a powerful and clear perspective on wealth and what really matters.

Jesus has surprising praise for an unlikely role model: the dishonest manager. But in the surprise of what Jesus has to say, we learn a key lesson about money: its very best use in this world is to invest in people and make friends for eternity.

Jesus has surprising praise for an unlikely role model: the dishonest manager. But in the surprise of what Jesus has to say, we learn a key lesson about money: its very best use in this world is to invest in people and make friends for eternity.

The Lord has entrusted us with resources and opportunities to use fruitfully while we await his return. Jesus has a stark warning for those who would use those things for personal indulgence rather than fruitful service. We need to keep in mind the reality of his return when we consider how we use that which he has given us. ‘Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.’