Luke 16. Jesus’ parables in this chapter are all directed toward the elite sect of the Pharisees, who trusted in their personal wealth as a sign that they were in God’s favour. Jesus said that the Pharisees justify themselves before men, but God knows their hearts. He knows that money is their true god.  So Jesus teaches them using two parables –the dishonest manager (1-9); the rich man and Lazarus (19-31). Both have a reversal of expectations.  The manager is going to be fired (2); The rich man is not going to rest in Abraham’s side (23).  The point Jesus was making had nothing to do with the future (what happens at death). It had to do with the false security the Pharisees had in the present. They were attempting to serve two masters: God and money (13).  The dishonest manager had to take sides. He had to cheat his present master in order to prepare for his future. The Rich man discovered too late that his allegiance was to the wrong master – his money.

LORD, we want to serve you and you alone. Purge us from our selfishness.