16:1-9 The Master did not commend the steward for being dishonest; he FIRED him for that.  He commended the steward for forgoing his short-term commission (which may have been a normal charge) in exchange for long-term security through better relations with the master’s clients.  Moral:  We must put our own long-term (eternal!!)

interests above our short-term earthly interests. We must put money in it’s proper perspective relative to eternal life.

17:7-10  We cannot pay back Christ for the gift He has given us:  we are servants with a job to do.  We owe Him, not the other way around!

19:1-10 (Zacchaeus)  Emphasis:  Treatment of the poor, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness.

(What is your plan to help the needy? We are not saved by faith alone, at least not in the way Luther meant it! Faith means a relationship, which necessitates service.)