Luke 16:11-15
Luke 16:11 (KJB)
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will
commit to your trust the true riches?
Jesus contrasts the mammon with the true riches. Mammon is a Semitic word which
can refer to money or riches. Jesus states that if a person cannot be faithful
in the handling of mammon, which for Jesus was a person who lived in a state of
materialism, then how could one be expected to have the true riches committed to
them. This, of course, was pointing to the greed and materialism of the scribes
and Pharisees who hoarded their money to gain wealth and schemed to make more
money. If they were handling that in a very evil manner, then who could trust to
them the real riches which is the true Gospel? (Rom 8:5 KJV) For they that
are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the
Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Luke 16:12 (KJB)
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give
you that which is your own?
Jesus drives the point home that if a person is unfaithful in handling the
wealth of another man, then how can one be trusted with something of their own?
The point here is that all material things belong to God and we are just
caretakers of a very small part. (Psa 24:1 KJV) The earth is the LORD'S, and
the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. If we begin to
prove ourselves unfaithful in this task given to us by God, then what right do
we have to claim our heavenly reward which is ours forever? Let’s bring this
done to today. If as a child I cannot handle my allowance properly, then how
will I handle the finances I will make when I go to work?
Luke 16:13 (KJB)
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon.
Mammon - The word “mammon” is from the Latin “mamona” and is a term of reproach
for money, wealth, or possessions which are regarded as an evil influence or an
idol in one’s life.
The Lord Jesus Christ is now speaking about someone who is double minded, that
is, serving two masters. (James 1:8 KJV) A double minded man is unstable in
all his ways. James states it plainly that a double minded man is unstable in
all his ways. The reason for that is if he is trying to serve two masters,
then he will be pulled in both directions. What is good and proper in serving
one master may not be good and proper in serving the other master. How can I
serve God and the world at the same time? It cannot happen. The world states
that you should accumulate as much of the world’s goods as you can but the
Scriptures state that we should be content with the things that we have. How can
you be greedy and content at the same time? Those are two philosophies of life
diametrically opposed to each other. Jesus is trying to convey to His hearers
that you cannot serve the world and all its sinful snares and God at the same
time since they are also opposed to one another. Eventually if you attempt to do
it, one of the masters will win out and no doubt it will be the master of the
world because you will be able to see the wealth accumulate and the other you
must take by faith, which the world disdains. Jesus knew that if you attempt to
serve both, then the world would win out. (2 Tim 4:10 KJV) For Demas hath
forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;
Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Demas is a perfect example of
attempting to serve God and the world because he allowed the world to win out.
Luke 16:14 (KJB)
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they
derided him.
The Pharisees knew that these parables and warnings were being aimed at them and
instead of them learning from them, they instead derided Jesus for telling them.
The word “deride” means to “scoff or ridicule.” The Pharisees were a very
covetous group and did not take to heart the essence of the message of Jesus.
Instead of them being concerned with the eternal spiritual condition, their
blindness to reality overshadowed them and their common sense. They would rather
die rich than with the true riches!
Luke 16:15 (KJB)
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God
knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination
in the sight of God.
The Pharisees had built a system of justification to surround themselves so they
would not see their covetousness as covetousness. They may look good in front of
people, especially when they look so holy and practice things which are not even
in the law of God. The thing that should scare these hypocrites is the fact that
there are two they are not fooling. First, God knows their heart as the
Scripture above states. He knows that their heart is evil and all they care
about is wealth and position. The second is themselves. They know their heart is
evil and that there goal in life is wealth and status. They do not fool
themselves when they are acting holy in front of people, because they know it is
only an act. This act may be highly esteemed among people because of the way it
looks but God judges motives more than He does accomplishments. The way of the
Pharisees is an abomination in the sight of God because they are toying with the
eternal souls of people.