Lesson 179 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13).

Notes

Stewards

In the first part of this lesson Jesus spoke to His disciples in a parable. It concerns an unfaithful steward who wasted his master's goods. A steward is one who is put in charge of the affairs of another -" one who is entrusted with the managing of affairs not his own.

Jesus taught in other parables that all persons are stewards, entrusted by God with the things they have, including their lives and talents, as well as other possessions. The day will come when "every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

The unjust steward of Jesus' parable had wasted the goods of his master. We are not told in what manner they were wasted, whether they were stolen, misused, or damaged and lost through carelessness. The time came when he was required to give an account of his stewardship.

If you were called today to give an account of your life, would you prove to be an unfaithful steward, too? Is your life being used to give glory and praise to God by living for Him? Or is it damaged by sin and lost by being used for your own pleasure and gain, carelessly forgetting God?

The steward was commended by his master for acting wisely, not for doing wrong. If the unfaithful steward was dismissed, he would be in want. Perhaps he had not thought about it before, but then he wondered what to do. He said, "I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed," No doubt he meant that he would not rather than that he could not. We do not read that he was either lame or old. Perhaps he was lazy and was not used to digging, and he was too proud to beg.

There are many people whose souls are in want. They will not beg for mercy. Their own ability and the labour of this world will never satisfy nor save their souls.

Acting Wisely

By gaining favour with the debtors, when he was turned out, the unjust steward hoped to secure for himself a place in their homes. Even though he considered his condition late, he acted with foresight and did what he could with what was left. He bargained with the debtors for an amount much less than they owed -" to put himself in favour with the debtors.

True Riches

The Lord would have His people to be as spiritually concerned as the children of this world are concerned about materials things.

Some people are greatly concerned about their material welfare, and even when they are young their thoughts are for preparation for temporal gain. Through this parable God would speak to us to consider less the riches of the world, which are fleeting, and to concern ourselves more with the grace and glory of God.

One cannot serve two masters -" God and Satan -" at the same time. By serving God one can have the true riches. "Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness" (Proverbs 8:18). To those "rich in faith" God has promised that they will be "heirs of the kingdom" (James 2:5). Let us trust "in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy"; let us "be rich in good works," laying up in store for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life ([1TM:6:17-19]).

Criticizers

Some of the Pharisees heard Jesus speak this parable of the unjust steward, and began to ridicule Jesus. In their hearts they were justifying themselves. They sought the things which brought the admiration of the world instead of seeking the things of God. Then Jesus taught a lesson concerning the life to come. The way one lives on earth determines the way he will spend eternity. Jesus showed to these mockers the end of the lives of two men, and what happened to them after they left this world. Jesus spoke this as an actual happening, not as a parable.

Two Men

A rich man, whose name is not given, had adorned himself in rich clothing. He had provided himself with whatever his appetite and taste craved and his money could buy. Apparently he indulged in that which pleased his body -" a life of ease and pleasure, and ruin to his soul. We are not told how he gained his wealth; perhaps it was by honest means.

It is not unlawful to have good food, good clothing, and riches; but many times wealth becomes dangerous. Often people become proud and forget God.

At the gate of the rich man's home Lazarus was laid. He was a beggar, poor and afflicted. He would have been content with the crumbs from the rich man's table. He desired to be fed, but we are not told that he received any help or sympathy from the rich man. The poor man must have suffered more than hunger, for his body was full of sores. The dogs were more kind to him than the rich man was, for they licked Lazarus's sores, perhaps in pity and friendliness.

We note that the rich man did not abuse Lazarus nor forbid him to lie at his gate. He was unconcerned, and perhaps went by Lazarus without a word of kindness or sympathy.

Death

In time both men died, for death is common to all people, the rich and poor alike. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement" (Hebrews 9:27).

A person's spiritual condition cannot be judged by his outward condition. As it is possible to be rich and righteous, so it is possible to be poor, afflicted, and forgetful of God. Lazarus was carried to Abraham's bosom because he was a righteous man, not because he was sick and poor.

After Death

The rich man was buried, perhaps with a great funeral. Compare Lazarus' honour and happiness with the torment of the rich man who failed to make his peace with God.

The rich man prayed -" too late. In hell, while he was enduring utmost misery and anguish, he saw the comforts of Lazarus. The rich man found that hell is real. He did not sleep. He was conscious and had possession of all his senses. He could see Lazarus, which, no doubt, added to his torment. He felt the flame, which burned and did not consume. He could hear Abraham's voice; and he remembered the things he had once enjoyed.

In Torment

The rich man cried in his misery to Abraham. This man, who had not shown mercy, begged that Lazarus, the victim of his merciless neglect, might be sent to show him mercy. The rich man did not ask to be released. He begged for only a little relief. His request was small -" Lazarus' finger dipped in water to cool his tongue. He did not even ask for a drink -" only that the finger of Lazarus might be dipped in water to cool his tongue. To be tormented by fire is very painful, and causes terrible suffering for the body.

The rich man suffered more than pain, for Abraham told him to "remember." Perhaps he thought of the comforts and luxuries of his home where he had given commands to others. Now he was begging for relief. Probably he remembered with regret, how many times he could have showed kindness to Lazarus.

The rich man was told that his request was impossible. No request is granted in hell. His sins had separated him eternally from God ([ISA:59:2]). Even if Lazarus would have desired to help him, it could not have been done, for a great gulf was fixed.

The rich man abandoned all hope for himself, but he made another request. He was concerned about his family. Undoubtedly in life he had done nothing to help them spiritually. Now he wanted them to make the most of their opportunity, while they were alive and could make their peace with God. So long as there is life there is a chance to avoid such an ending as the rich man suffered. After death, nothing can be done. "If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be" (Ecclesiastes 11:3).

Too Late

The rich man was acquainted with Lazarus and called him by name, and he knew his brothers would recognise Lazarus. He thought surely his brothers would repent if Lazarus returned from the dead. Perhaps Lazarus had testified to them before he died, at least by his life if not in words. The rich man was told that the Bible tells people how to be saved, and they could escape punishment if they believed what was written by the prophets. If a person does not believe the Bible, he will not believe even though someone should rise from the dead. The rich man became concerned about himself and his brothers too late.

Jesus gave us this lesson to show the reward for one who serves God, and the torment that awaits one who serves mammon.

How are you living? Like Lazarus, one may not always have everything in this world to make him comfortable; but by repentance and faithful service to God he can be happy here and avoid the torments hereafter. "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" (Deuteronomy 32:29).

Questions

1. Why was the steward unjust?

2. How are you as a steward?

3. Why was the steward commended?

4. How were Lazarus and the rich man different from each other in life?

5. How were they different after death?

6. What caused the difference?

7. How can a person avoid the torments that the rich man endured?

8. Why did not the rich man get some relief?