One of the Worst Sins, Part 3 – Luke 16:15

God sees and knows every human heart. Nothing is hidden from Him. Jesus speaks in this passage about the inner person—the heart—which God examines fully. As He exposed the hearts of the Pharisees, so He knows ours.

The idolatrous heart is detestable in the sight of God.
The heart is the center of thought, desire, and moral decision-making. It reflects who we truly are and how we respond to God. God’s knowledge of the heart goes beyond outward behavior to inner motives and intentions. We cannot conceal our hearts from Him.

What does God do with man’s heart?

He exposes what is within it.
He breaks the heart (mind and will) through suffering, frustration, circumstances, and failure.
He purifies and renews the heart through new life in Christ.

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

For believers, this truth is comforting. God knows our weaknesses and invites us to approach Him humbly for grace, comfort, and peace.
“A bruised reed he will not break…” (Isaiah 42:3).

Yet Scripture also teaches that evil flows from the human heart.
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts…” (Mark 7:21–23).

The Bible describes hearts that are hardened, divided, proud, or unbelieving. The greatest barrier to spiritual growth is not merely sin, but an unwilling heart. A spiritually dead heart requires God’s intervention and renewal.

Jeremiah 17:9 declares:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and extremely sick…”

Because the human heart is deceitful, people cannot fully understand themselves. Unbelief and hypocrisy grow from this self-deception. Only the Holy Spirit can convict, lead to repentance, and bring saving faith in Christ.

Modern culture encourages people to “follow your heart,” but Scripture warns that this leads to destruction. Apart from God, the heart cannot be healed. Only the light of the gospel reveals the true human condition.

Jesus, the true Light, exposes the heart and brings salvation to those who receive Him (John 1:9–12). He revealed the Pharisees’ idolatry—they loved money and power more than God.

“To be free of idols you must live with God…” (J. Douma).

The proud heart is detestable in the sight of God.
The Pharisees were not only idolaters but also proud. Pride places self on the throne rather than God. All sinners possess pride because God is not central in their lives.

Even believers can harbor subtle pride, often revealed through anxiety, discontentment, frustration, or a victim mentality. This mindset resists correction and avoids repentance. Pride is especially offensive to God because it is a vertical sin against Him and damages all relationships. Scripture records God’s severe judgment against the proud (Acts 12:22–23).

Believers must remain vigilant, for “a proud heart is Satan’s throne” (Charles Bridges). Pride separates people from God, as seen in Adam, Eve, and Moses. Pride relies on self and rejects God’s word.

Jesus Christ is the supreme example of humility.
“Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3, 5).

Pride is destroyed only through union with Christ. When the old self is crucified, Christ reigns in the heart. Humility marks those who truly abide in Him.

The Pharisees refused to die to self and were therefore an abomination to God. This warning remains true today. We must examine our lives for idolatry and pride and repent.

Let us ask whether idolatry or pride characterizes our daily lives. If so, may we repent and walk humbly before our Lord.

December 14, 2025 0

One of the Worst Sins, Part 2 – Luke 16:14-15

We sin every day, but we usually only count the sins that are made in the sight of man. We must remember that sin is always committed in the sight of God. While all sin is sin, not all sin is equal. Scripture clearly distinguishes between sin in ignorance and intentional sin. God considers motivation, impact, and their heart of rebellion when evaluating sin. (John 19:11). In our text, we see some of the worst sins.

The Love of Money

Money is a tool, but when you love money, it is an abomination. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Tim 6:10). When money is loved, it replaces love for God, leading to idolatry. The love of money motivates sinful behavior, creates spiritual blindness, and aligns our hearts with worldly values instead of Godly virtues. You cannot serve God and money together.

Unbelief

Unbelief is demonstrated by scoffing, turning up the nose, and holding Jesus in contempt. Even with Christ’s miracles, great teaching, and genuine character, those who practice unbelief refuse to believe. This refusal stems from a corrupted heart—morally ruined, spiritually diseased, and possessing a darkened mind. Unbelief is the suppression of the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-19). Healing from this deep corruption requires God’s regeneration and new life, revealed through the Holy Spirit’s correction and rebuke.

Undenied Self

The third severe sin is the outcome of the undenied self. Self is the root of human problems; it is the source of pride, self-seeking, and rebellion, ruling our hearts and decisions apart from God. Inside, we are all born full of robbery and wickedness (Luke 11:39).

Self-justification is when a person defends their own actions and motives instead of acknowledging their mistakes. In a spiritual sense, this practice is extremely dangerous because it:

Prevents Repentance: It keeps us busy defending the self, leading to no confession of sin.
Hardens the Heart: It blinds us to spiritual reality, causing repeated sin without remorse.
Blocks Grace: Self-justification makes one proud and unable to receive the grace offered through Christ (Luke 23:39).
Opposes Christ: It is the ultimate rebellion, denying the cross and rejecting the grace of Jesus. Self-justification claims we do not need Christ, who alone is the antidote for sin (Galatians 2:21).

We must embrace being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). This is not physical death but the daily, spiritual mortification of the self. It means surrendering self-centered pride, letting Christ’s life govern our actions, and yielding to God’s will over self-control. We live by faith, trusting Jesus who died for us. A Christian should obey before understanding. That doesn’t mean we don’t understand but we obey even if we don’t understand.

Seeking Human Approval

This is another worst sin we practice often. Seeking human approval means valuing the praise, acceptance, and recognition of people more than what is God-honoring. The Pharisees were trapped in this sin, seeking to justify themselves “in the sight of man” (Luke 16:15). They seek popularity and attention (Matthew 23:5).

Seeking human approval is devastating because it:

Replaces God: It is a form of idolatry, replacing our loyalty to God with loyalty to people.
Produces Hypocrisy: It corrupts motives, turning worship into performance and sincerity into showmanship (Matthew 6:1-2, 5).
Suppresses Obedience: Fear of man’s disapproval leads to silence regarding the truth and the rejection of God’s will.

A key cause of people-pleasing is a lack of fear of God. When people look strong, and God seems weak, the fear of man becomes a snare.

Cure for Human Approval: We must find our identity in Christ. Your worth is rooted in being loved and adopted by Him. We must grow in the fear of God, knowing He judges perfectly, seeing the inside, while man only sees the outside. Make it your daily aim to please God, because pleasing people leads only to slavery. We are called to live for eternal evaluation.

Remember, we are all God’s kingdom priests. The work of salvation is finished by Jesus. There is no room for self. We are called to seek His kingdom and His righteousness, defeating these worst sins by choosing simply to trust and obey Him every day.

December 7, 2025 0

One of the Worst Sins – Luke 16:14-15

In today’s passage, Jesus shifts His focus from the disciples to the Pharisees. The Pharisees, the religious leaders of Israel, appeared outwardly righteous but were inwardly marked by hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matt. 23:28). John MacArthur issues a sober warning about those who outwardly seem devoted to God but inwardly oppose Him: “It is a paradoxical truth that those who are the most dangerous enemies of God are not the ones who openly oppose Him, but rather those who outwardly appear the most devoted to Him… Apostate Judaism and false Christianity, along with all their deceiving teachers, are haters of divine truth and of God.” This is not only a warning about false religion but also a caution to Christians, who can fall into the same temptations—particularly the lure of wealth—which gives rise to hypocrisy. Jesus exposes two of the worst sins produced by false religion, both prominently displayed by the Pharisees.

The first great sin is the Pharisees’ love of money and love of self (v. 14; 2 Tim. 3:2). Jesus had just taught, “No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and wealth” (v. 13). The Pharisees were “lovers of money.” False religion elevates the self to the place of God, and money becomes the means of glorifying the self before others. Since the fall, false religion has been unable to address the brokenness of the human heart. In contrast, true faith demands self-denial, crucifying the flesh, and following Christ (Matt. 16:23). The dividing line is faith.

The Pharisees boasted about their religiosity and wealth, believing that material prosperity proved God’s favor. Scripture teaches the opposite: true blessing comes from saving faith, which produces a transformed life and peace with God. Wealth has no connection to genuine divine blessing.

Loving money is among the gravest sins because it becomes an idol that competes with God for the heart. It often leads to moral corruption—greed, deceit, injustice—and hardens the soul against righteousness. Money itself is not sinful, but the love of it leads to spiritual blindness and lawlessness. Judas Iscariot is a vivid example: though he heard Jesus’ teaching daily for years, his love for money prevented true repentance and faith. Scripture warns soberly, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10).

What are some signs that we love money?
– When money, rather than God, determines our decisions.
– Anxiety or fear when finances are threatened; loss of peace when income fluctuates.
– Difficulty giving generously or sacrificially; resentment toward those who have more.
– Finding identity or pride in financial success.
– Compromising integrity for financial gain.
– Constant preoccupation with money, leaving little room for God.
– Treating people differently based on wealth.
– Neglecting spiritual growth because of busyness or worldly concerns.

When money displaces God in the heart, it becomes one of the greatest spiritual dangers, blocking God’s work within us. Warren Wiersbe writes, “They professed to trust God, but they measured life by wealth and possessions… Far too many professed Christians today are making the same mistake. With their lips they honor the Lord, but with their wealth they live like the world.”

Money is merely a tool—given to meet our needs and to advance God’s kingdom. Living this way acknowledges Christ’s kingship and keeps us under His rule rather than living apart from it. We must cultivate contentment: “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment… If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:6–8).

A Christian’s life is also marked by serving God and storing up treasures in heaven. Our hope is fixed on our eternal home, and we should regularly reflect on it. A believer rejects sordid gain and trusts in God’s provision. Because we are not orphans, our confidence must rest fully in our Father. Guarding our hearts against the love of money is essential for living a simple, God-centered life.

The second great sin is unbelief, expressed in rejecting Jesus Christ. The Pharisees listened to Jesus—not to believe but to accuse and destroy. After hearing His teachings on money, they scoffed at Him. This is the nature of unbelief: sinners refuse to come to Christ for life (John 5:40).

The Pharisees rejected Jesus for several reasons:
– They despised Him because He was a Galilean.
– They viewed His teachings as foolish and impractical.
– They felt threatened because He challenged their authority and placed Scripture above their oral traditions.
– He exposed their secret love of money.

Even today, unbelief does not stem from a lack of evidence but from a moral refusal to submit to Christ. People reject Him because their hearts are self-reliant and attached to other loves. Every unbeliever treasures something above God. Christians, too, must guard against the drift toward unbelief. Many believers subtly resist Christ’s commands, thinking they are too radical or meant only for a select few. We often assume Jesus’ warnings apply to others but not to ourselves. The love of money and the desire for earthly comfort can make us defensive and spiritually dull. Are we living primarily for this present life rather than for our eternal home?

Hear the Lord’s rebuke:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot… Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked” (Rev. 3:15–17).

And His invitation:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20).

Most people profess love for Jesus with their lips while their hearts cling to something else. In America, especially, the love of money often prevents Christ from being Lord over one’s life.

Unbelief is not mere ignorance; it is a deliberate rejection of Jesus Christ. We cannot place Him on the margins of our lives. He must dwell at the center. If He does not abide in our hearts, we must repent without delay. Tragically, so many Christians lose their spiritual effectiveness because of their idols. Let us stop pretending to love Christ, for He knows our hearts.

November 30, 2025 0

Thanksgiving On Board – Acts 27:33-38

We turn to the book of Acts, where we find the Apostle Paul in a dire situation. He is on an Alexandrian ship caught in a violent wind known as the Euraquilo. These sailors, who were experienced and strong, had exhausted every effort to save themselves. After many days fighting the storm, they were wet, tired, hungry, and suffering from low morale, fearing they would run aground on hidden rocks and be lost to the sea. Yet, in the middle of this terrible situation, where there was no hope, Apostle Paul gave thanks to God.

To a non-believer, this behavior is impossible. How can one give thanks on a sinking ship while facing imminent death? But Christians are called to be distinct. Christians may be known for many things, but one thing we should always be known for is thankfulness. From the earliest days of the church, the world observed Christians being somber or sorrowful, but at the same time also thankful, even at funerals. This is not pretending or showing off, but it is a genuine response of thanksgiving to God who is with us and who has saved us. Christians are thankful for Jesus Christ, who is their Lord and graciously provides eternal life. We have the greatest reason to be thankful in every circumstance, and it is Jesus. But the disappointing reality is that we forget; therefore, we are not thankful at all times.

Thanksgiving is not merely a response to favorable circumstances; it is an act of faith. It is anchored in who God is, not our situation or our emotions. He is Yahweh. No one else is the object of our faith but God. And God is with you.

God is Sovereign: Everything happens according to God’s will, even the storms in our lives. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, He works all things for the good of those who love Him.
God is Good: Even when the journey is difficult and seems unfair, God is infinitely wise. As A.W. Pink noted, God’s goodness is behind every difficult situation. He gave us eternal life through His Son (Romans 8:32)—if He did not spare His own Son, what greater evidence of goodness do we need? We have the greatest gift in Jesus. God’s goodness is not sentimental, but moral and faithful.
God is Faithful: Hudson Taylor said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” (Philippians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:3). We can depend on Him because He has never failed us in the past, and we know He will be faithful now.

Attributes of Thanksgiving

1. It is a Sacrifice: Paul had sacrificed his whole life to serve the Lord, and look at where it ended up. He could have pitied himself. Instead, Paul gave thanks to God. His thanksgiving was based on faith, not on his emotions. Apostle Paul gave thanks as his sacrifice, resisting his feelings and fears.

2. It is a Hidden Work of God: When Paul gave thanks, the spiritual atmosphere of the ship shifted. The text tells us, “All of them became cheerful and they themselves also took food.” Paul’s private act of thanksgiving became a public blessing, turning the crew’s despair into cheer. Just as King Jehoshaphat saw victory through worship (2 Chronicles 20:21-22), thanksgiving opens the door to God’s blessing, not just for us, but for everyone around us.

3. It is a Privilege: Of the 276 people on that boat, only Paul could truly give thanks because only he knew the Father personally. Christians are not slaves to fear or but they are able to see God’s grace. Christians know God personally. This is a unique privilege available only to the believer. We have access to the throne of grace and the Holy of Holies. Thanksgiving is the means of drawing near to the presence of God.

4. It is a Testimony: Paul gave thanks “in the presence of all.” A Christian thanking God in a crisis is a powerful testimony to the world. Apostle Paul’s act of thanksgiving encouraged everyone else on the boat. This kind of thanksgiving leads to gospel moments, just as Paul and Silas’s praise in prison led the jailer to seek them out, “What must I do to be saved?” The jailer desired the powerful salvation he had witnessed in the Apostle Paul.

5. It is for Small Things: Apostle Paul gave thanks for a simple piece of bread. Often, our prayer lives are poor because we are waiting for massive miracles while ignoring daily mercies. If we learn to be thankful for the small things daily, our spiritual lives will become vibrant and resilient. Jesus was also thankful for the small things

6. Thanksgiving is possible everywhere: Paul was thankful on a sinking and dying ship. This was not a cruise ship. He was thankful regardless of his situation and circumstances. Daniel thanked God in a lion’s den. Moses thanked God in the wilderness. The believer is able to give thanks anywhere.

How to be thankful when life is painful?

It is not natural to be thankful when we are in pain. How do believers maintain this posture when life falls apart? We do not give thanks for the pain, but in the pain (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Pain may hide God’s goodness from our eyes, but it does not cancel it. We need to be more thoughtful. We not only see the pain but also see God who is working. Satan is always whispering doubts, asking, “Does God care?” We must answer by remembering God’s character and meditating on His attributes. Pain becomes the seed of God’s blessing when we trust Him through it.

Remember what God has done. The Lord has always been faithful; therefore, He will be faithful again.
Thank God for His presence more than His outcomes. Many Christians have testified in their suffering: “My situation did not change, but God changed me”.

Out pray your trials. No matter what, we keep praying, we keep giving thanks, and the Lord will bless you.
We must anchor our hope in eternity. Even if suffering lasts a lifetime, it is brief in light of eternity and will not follow us into heaven. God is just, and His justice will one day make all things right. Therefore, our hope is in Jesus Christ, who is alive today and is our “Immanuel”—God with us—forever.

“Better than I deserve.” What a response to a typical “How are you?” In light of God’s grace, we are always doing better than we deserve. As Apostle Paul declares, we are who we are by the grace of God. Therefore, Christians have no reason to be downcast. Jesus showed us his might, love, and grace on the cross and in His resurrection. In His salvation, we live on with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not just our duty but our desire to honor Jesus who died for us and gave us life in Him.

November 23, 2025 0

You Can’t Serve God and Money – Luke 16:13

In the world of sports, many athletes excel, but only a few have played multiple sports at a high level—figures such as Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders come to mind. Even they, however, were not dominant in both sports equally. This illustrates an important truth: it is impossible to be great at two things simultaneously. Jesus uses this very point when He teaches that no one can serve two masters—specifically, God and wealth. A Christian cannot faithfully or equally serve both. One will always take precedence over the other. Some believers may think they can manage both loyalties, but history proves that every attempt has ended in failure.

When Jesus declares that “no servant” can serve two masters, He means that such divided service is utterly impossible. To serve is to reveal our treasure and where our heart truly rests (Matt. 6:21). Service expresses what we act upon, what directs our decisions, and ultimately what becomes our god or idol. The two masters Jesus describes have fundamentally different purposes and ways. Therefore, a loyal servant cannot faithfully serve both.

Jesus gives clear reasons why divided service cannot exist. First, service requires undivided devotion. There is no room for divided loyalty because wholehearted commitment is necessary for true obedience. God does not compromise on this. As Jesus explains, one will love one master and hate the other. God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). He requires the same devotion when He tells the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions in order to follow Him (Luke 18:22). Jesus makes it clear that discipleship demands complete devotion—even to the point of hating one’s own life in comparison (Luke 14:26).

Serving wealth is an insult to the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture distinguishes between loving money and serving it. Loving money reveals our interest in it; serving money means obeying it, shaping our lives around it, and allowing it to dictate our actions. Those who serve money may honor God with their lips but serve another master in their hearts. Their devotion is misplaced, revealing a rebellious spirit. Jesus warns us against attempting to serve both masters because, in practice, either God will be elevated in our lives or money will be. Wealth is meant to serve us—not to rule us—and it must be used for God’s glory.

At the beginning of verse 13, Jesus speaks vaguely of “no servant,” but by the end He addresses His disciples directly: “you cannot.” This is a command to obey God and avoid the sin of serving money. Ultimately, our loyalty must belong to God alone. To serve money is idolatry.

Even Christians may fall into idolatry when money becomes their highest priority. When this happens, money—not God—rules the heart. We must ask ourselves: is our first thought each morning to earn more money, or to glorify God? We must resist the lie that money can offer lasting security, comfort, or happiness. More often, it brings sorrow and destruction. When our emotions are driven by greed, fear, and covetousness, wealth has become an idol. John Calvin once wrote, “Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority.”

Ten diagnostic questions reveal whether money has become our master:

Does money influence your decisions more than prayer does?
Do you feel more anxiety about finances than trust in God’s provision?
Do you struggle to give generously because you feel you “can’t afford it”?
Do you think about money more often than God?
Do you avoid obeying God when obedience may affect your income or comfort?
Do you find identity in what you earn or own?
Do you envy others’ income, lifestyle, or possessions?
Do unexpected expenses provoke fear or irritation?
Do you neglect time with God because you are busy pursuing financial goals?
Would losing money trouble you more than losing intimacy with God?

These questions serve as early warning signs of a heart drifting toward idolatry. As J.C. Ryle warns, “We may love money without having it, just as we may have money without loving it. It is an evil that works very deceitfully… Once let it get the mastery, and it will harden, palsy, sear, freeze, blight, and wither our souls. It overthrew an apostle of Christ; let us take heed that it does not overthrow us. One leak may sink a ship; one unmortified sin may ruin a soul.”

How can we avoid idolizing money?

Recognize that money is a tool for God’s glory.
The amount we earn is not what matters most. What matters is how we use what God has entrusted to us—whether little or much. Prayer reminds us of our dependence on God and His provision.
Remember that God owns everything.
We are stewards of His possessions, not owners. When we truly grasp this, we freely use our resources for His purposes.
Cultivate contentment.
Loving God over money produces genuine contentment. To place our contentment in wealth is spiritual death. Only when we surrender everything to God does He shape us into vessels useful for His work.
Jerry Bridges describes discontentment as questioning the goodness of God. In contrast, the contented believer rests in God’s provision and grace, finding satisfaction that greed and envy never provide.
Practice generous giving.
Giving is an expression of true life. Generosity flows from understanding that all we have belongs to God and that we were created for good works (Eph. 2:10). God’s sufficient grace enables us to give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7–8).
As Charles Spurgeon said, “Giving is true having.”
Biblical giving is self-sacrificial and unconcerned with the amount. True generosity gives—and forgets.

Whatever our financial circumstances, we must remember that Jesus is our Rescuer. In Him, we find rest, and in Him, our deepest hunger and thirst are satisfied. We must serve Christ as our only master. Although the temptation to serve money is real, we can resist because Christ has loved us and demonstrated His love through His life and death.

November 16, 2025 0

Faithful Stewardship – Luke 16:10-12

Heaven is the place where believers will ultimately enter and be rewarded for their stewardship (2 Tim. 4:7–8). One of the most frequently overlooked commands is the call to be a faithful steward. Although salvation is guaranteed for the believer, heavenly reward can be minimal—or even lost. Our desire as Christians should be to enter heaven and receive the full reward of faithfulness. For that reason, Jesus emphasizes the essential quality of a faithful steward: character.

Character matters—especially regarding how we handle financial and spiritual responsibilities. Biblical character is Christlike character: living out God’s truth from the inside out. It is a life oriented toward God and righteousness. Jesus teaches that the character of stewardship is tested by God, particularly in relation to heavenly rewards.

In Luke 16:10, Jesus underscores faithfulness as a defining biblical characteristic. To be faithful is to be trustworthy. He states that “whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.” This principle is widely understood as a universal maxim. But why does faithfulness in small matters matter so greatly? Because consistent faithfulness in the small things reveals a heart that can be trusted with greater responsibility.

In this context, the “very little” refers specifically to money. God uses our stewardship of money as a litmus test of our loyalty to Him. How, then, can we demonstrate faithfulness with our finances?

By being thoughtful and intentional
By maintaining a God-centered, not self-centered, mindset
By being eternally minded rather than earthly focused
By setting our thoughts on heavenly reward

Money may seem like a small matter in comparison with eternal spiritual truths, yet Jesus calls it “little” precisely to show that if we cannot be faithful with something so temporary, we cannot be trusted with “much,” meaning greater spiritual responsibilities. Joseph’s life illustrates this principle: after proving faithful in ordinary, humble tasks, God elevated him to a position of authority second only to Pharaoh.

The life of William Colgate—founder of the Colgate company—offers a modern example. Colgate, a Baptist and church deacon, gave faithfully when he earned little, and as his income grew, he continued to increase his giving. He did not view a percentage of his income as God’s portion and the remainder as his own. Rather, he recognized that everything he possessed belonged to God. His financial success did not change his faithfulness because he had been faithful with little.

In contrast, Jesus warns that “the one who is unrighteous in a very little is also unrighteous in much.” If believers cannot be trusted to use earthly, unrighteous wealth for God’s purposes, why would God entrust them with true riches (v. 11)? Money is considered “unrighteous” because it belongs to a fallen world and is often used for selfish gain. The world’s system is driven by greed, injustice, and the love of money, which fuels sin and destruction. Christians, too, can fall into unfaithfulness—as seen in the life of Lot (2 Pet. 2:8)—but such unfaithfulness must not remain. A believer may misuse money for a season, but faithful stewardship should be the direction of spiritual growth.

What, then, are the “true riches” Jesus refers to? These are eternal blessings—spiritual wealth and heavenly reward. John Gill describes them as works that “will follow [believers], and will be found to praise, and honor, and glory, and will be graciously rewarded by Christ at His appearing and kingdom.”

In verse 12, Jesus teaches that what we have—ultimately God’s possession—is entrusted to us to manage faithfully. This verse also implies that while our salvation is secure, our eternal rewards are not. Scripture warns believers not to lose what they have worked for:

“Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward” (2 John 1:8).
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).

What keeps Christians from caring about heavenly reward?

Ignoring or denying God’s ownership of all things
Unfaithfulness with resources
Love for the world
Misunderstanding stewardship as merely financial, rather than spiritual
Failing to see earthly money as a test of eternal faithfulness

Salvation is not the end of the Christian journey. Stewardship is a means of sanctification—evidence of a life being transformed into Christlikeness.

John MacArthur questioned it pointedly:

“Do you think God is going to reward you in eternity if you have frittered and wasted your opportunity, your stewardship? You can buy yourself endless junk and trinkets and creature comforts and earthly possessions… and when you come into the presence of the Lord do you expect Him to give you the true riches… that eternal reward that comes to those that are faithful?”

Jesus taught:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19–20).

The world seeks honor and applause for accomplishments, sacrifice, and success. But God calls His people to something different—to honor Him through faithful stewardship of His resources. A Christian of true character surrenders not only their heart but also their wallet to Christ. Giving may feel like loss, yet in the eyes of Christ, it is gain. Scripture tells us that giving is better than receiving because it aligns us with God’s heart of generosity and yields eternal reward.

May we, then, serve the Lord with faithfulness and live as wise stewards of all He has entrusted to us.

November 9, 2025 0

Biblical Stewardship – Luke 16:9-13

We are looking again at the parable of the unrighteous steward, where Jesus is challenging His disciples to be much more shrewd and wise than their worldly counterparts in securing their eternal future. Worldly people are shrewd for earthly security, but we ought to be much more shrewd to gain eternal security. It matters because there is an afterlife. This life is much shorter than our next life. We know this because Jesus proved eternal life is real when He died and rose again. Our eternal future, portrayed as “eternal dwelling,” “true riches,” and “your own,” is real and will not be disappointing. Jesus emphasizes His message using the phrase “I say to you”, a phrase Jesus used to declare truth with full divine revelation and authority, similar to His “I am” statements. When Jesus uses this “I,” He declares Himself as God (Isaiah 46:9). Ultimately, Luke 16:13 mandates that you must serve Jesus, the true master, instead of money. As John Wesley observed, the last part of a person to be converted is his wallet. If you have not surrendered your wallet, you have not fully converted in your surrender to Jesus Christ.

Jesus is addressing the believer. A believer is both a disciple and a steward. Discipleship is following Jesus as Lord, which requires not just believing but obeying, and it changes who you are. Stewardship is managing what belongs to God — your time, money, body, and all the resources He has entrusted to you. While discipleship is internal, stewardship is external. Stewardship is the expression of your discipleship; the two go hand in hand. A mature disciple is a wise steward. The unrighteous steward in the parable was shrewd in securing his earthly future, but Christians must be even more shrewd and wise in eternal matters. This parable does not refer to being saved, as every Christian is saved, but about being a good steward to gain a future reward. If you are not shrewd, you might be saved but still miss out on future rewards.

How do we prepare for our eternal future, especially when dealing with money? Money, or “mammon: in Aramaic, refers to wealth, possessions, or anything we might put our trust in, meaning it easily becomes an idol. Jesus wants disciples to secure their eternal future by using their money wisely and faithfully. We are commanded to “make friends” using the “wealth of unrighteousness. Money is worldly and has caused much wickedness, making it the “wealth of unrighteousness”. This command does not mean buying friendship, but it means to evangelize, advance the kingdom of God, and make friends who will dwell with you in heaven one day. This involves using all our resources, whether it be time or money, helping unbelievers know Jesus and getting close to them. For example, taking an unbeliever out to lunch to build a relationship and share the gospel with them.

Remember, you are a steward, and it is God’s money, not yours. Use your money as a tool, not an end. We must invest in people, avoid unnecessary debt, keep an eternal view, and be charitable and generous. Spending money for the glory of God is not wasteful; it is heavenly investing. This investment is a channel to draw rewards from heaven, ensuring that when you “make your friends for yourselves,” it benefits you eternally. How wise, wonderful, and necessary it is to use what God has given us for His glory and our eternal reward. It is shameful and foolish to invest in earthly things like the world does. We have a greater promise, therefore, even more so, we must be diligent and shrewd stewards of what God has given us.

Everyone is equal in salvation and will enter heaven, but not all are equal in reward, which is based on faithful stewardship. The Apostle Paul labored to gain a reward, not satisfied with salvation alone. The phrase “When it fails” (Luke 16:9) reminds us that one day, we will die, and all our money, accomplishments, and memories will vanish. Only our eternal investment will remain. The friends we make with our finances—those whom we have evangelized and rescued—are the “they” who will take us into eternal dwellings. Imagine those you helped reach glory before you, waiting to welcome you into heaven. What a joyful thought. If you are worried you have not made any friends yet, start today with just one sinner. Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). The Lord encourages us to diligently, sacrificially, and faithfully invest in others for Him, and we will be rich in heaven.

November 2, 2025 0

Practical Christianity – Luke 16:1-9

This challenging parable appears only in Luke’s gospel. Many readers wonder: Is Jesus condoning the dishonest steward’s criminal behavior? The answer is a resounding no. Instead, Jesus uses this story with its surprising twists to make a crucial point about how Christians should approach their spiritual lives.

Jesus now turns from addressing the scribes and Pharisees to speaking directly to His disciples. The context in the rest of Luke 16 deals with money and stewardship and is significant to understanding this parable. Money itself isn’t evil, but how we handle it matters greatly. This parable addresses our relationship with worldly resources and eternal priorities.

The parable features two characters: a rich master and his steward (manager). The steward is a schemer and cheater who has wasted his master’s possessions, likely through embezzlement or fraudulent bookkeeping. When the master discovers the steward’s wickedness, he demands an accounting and declares he will fire his servant.

Faced with this crisis, the steward quickly realizes his dilemma. As a white-collar worker, he’s not suited for manual labor. Too proud to beg, he immediately forms a clever plan. Before losing his position, he summons each of his master’s debtors and significantly reduces their debts. 100 baths of oil becomes 50, 100 kors of wheat becomes 80. These reductions weren’t from legitimate commissions or interest (which the Torah prohibited among Israelites). The steward’s dishonesty continued even in this final act.

Surprisingly, the master commends the steward, not for his morality, but for his shrewdness and quick thinking in securing his future. The King James Version mistranslates this passage by using “the Lord,” which would suggest Jesus is represented by the master in the parable and therefore Jesus is praising wickedness. The correct reading is “his master”, which means he was not Jesus but a worldly master, and most likely also wicked based on how he responded to the stewards shrewdness.

Jesus isn’t condoning the steward’s criminality. His point is far more profound: this unrighteous man was shrewd enough to secure his temporal future. Shouldn’t those who belong to eternity be even more shrewd about eternal matters?

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus commands His followers to be “shrewd as serpents.” While serpents represent evil in Scripture (see Genesis 3:1), here shrewdness means being wise, discerning, foresighted, and practical. The children of this world excel at navigating temporal relationships and securing temporal benefits. They recognize this world is all they have, so they work tirelessly for it. They don’t pray, yet they work endlessly to achieve their goals.

But what about the “sons of light” – those who are Christians, sons of righteousness whose true home and inheritance are in heaven? Tragically, we often exhibit less urgency about eternal matters than unbelievers show toward temporal ones. We become complacent about our salvation, treating this life like retirement since “Jesus did everything.” Yet Scripture calls us to pursue sanctification with the same diligence the world applies to temporal pursuits.

The key insight comes from verse 2. The steward didn’t expect sudden accountability. His stewardship ended abruptly, leaving him unprepared. This mirrors our reality: we have no guarantee of tomorrow. Death can come suddenly, or Christ may return at any moment (Luke 12:40). As the psalmist prayed: “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Eternal life isn’t only in the future. Our eternal life has already begun, from the moment we were saved. We enjoy it daily through our relationship with Christ. Therefore, we must work hard and be shrewd in living for eternity every single day.

How do we apply this wisdom? First, we recognize that salvation is just the beginning. It gives us purpose and direction. Prayerlessness is not an option. We must give glory to God through consistent communion with Him. We need wisdom to labor for the Lord with an eye toward future rewards. Without wisdom and shrewdness, our work stems from our own strength and selfish desires, driven by pride. Such works will be burned up (1 Corinthians 3:15). But with wisdom, we endure faithfully, and our labors will endure for God’s glory.

The Thessalonian church provides a model: they diligently prayed and suffered faithfully for the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22). As Jesus explained through the parable of this shrewd steward, the stewards of God should be more shrewd in their eternal work. “The diligence of worldly men about the things of time should put to shame the coldness of professing Christians about the things of eternity.” – J. C. Ryle

We must not be foolish to think that this world will last forever. Instead, we prepare through prudence and wisdom, fearing God and walking in His Word. This means living fully: quick to forgive, seeking forgiveness through repentance, and loving others freely. May we learn from the world’s shrewdness about temporal things and apply even greater wisdom to eternal matters. Let us enjoy the Lord, give glory to Him, and live each day with the urgency and wisdom that befits those who belong to eternity.

October 26, 2025 0

Hope for the Religious – Luke 15:31-32

In today’s text, Jesus offers hope for the older son in the parable of the prodigal—representing those who are religious yet spiritually lost. Though outwardly moral and devoted, the religious often remain unsaved. They paint themselves with the colors of service and virtue, yet their hearts are marked by self-righteousness, hypocrisy, and a fixation on external traditions rather than inward transformation. Still, God extends hope even to them—the hope of escaping final judgment through his compassion, his promise of salvation by faith alone, and his joy over the lost who are found.

God’s Compassion for the Religious

God’s heart is tender, even toward the self-righteous. As long as there is life, redemption remains possible. In verse 31, the father calls the older son “son,” a translation of the Greek huios, which conveys deep affection, sympathy, and pity. This same word appears in Luke 16:25, where Abraham compassionately addresses the rich man. The repetition underscores God’s compassion toward those who seem furthest from grace. His mercy offers the religious another chance to repent and believe.

Christians, therefore, are called to share this same compassion by clearly presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ—the only source of true hope and salvation. Through the gospel, even those bound by legalism can experience freedom and forgiveness.

The Promise of Salvation Through Faith Alone

God’s promise of salvation rests entirely on faith in him. This promise holds both present and future dimensions: forgiveness now, and the hope of eternal glory to come. God’s promises are rooted in his unchanging nature and perfect faithfulness—when he speaks, he fulfills.

In the parable, the father reminds the older son that “all that I have is yours.” This represents the blessings of God’s covenant offered to Israel and, by extension, to all who believe. Yet many religious people fail to recognize these blessings. They strive for acceptance through performance, not realizing that God’s grace has already been extended. Their ingratitude blinds them to the fullness of God’s promise.

The Religious Misunderstanding of Salvation

The tragedy of religion without relationship is that it mistakes service for salvation. The elder son points to his years of labor and obedience as evidence of his worthiness, yet he remains estranged from his father. This mirrors the heart of the religious person who seeks to earn God’s favor through moral effort.

Such striving breeds self-righteousness, not forgiveness. Because they have not received grace, the religious cannot extend it to others. In verse 31, the father gently invites his son into personal relationship through faith—a call the religious often resist, preferring to labor in vain rather than rest in grace.

Faith and Inner Transformation

True faith is more than belief—it is the reception of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, resulting in an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit. Those who receive Christ walk daily with him in loving obedience, not out of duty but devotion. This promise of personal relationship is available to all, even the most hardened religious heart. Faith in the gospel is the only path to forgiveness and salvation—the only hope of true life.

God’s Joy in Redemption

God’s greatest glory is revealed in redemption. Jesus declares, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7), and again, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

In every act of redemption, God’s justice, mercy, and love shine together in perfect harmony. Heaven rejoices because salvation magnifies God’s character. Christians, too, should rejoice, recognizing that every person’s greatest need is salvation through faith in Christ. Once enslaved by sin and separated from God, believers have been redeemed and set free by his power.

The elder son, however, could not comprehend this joy. Spiritually dead, he could not understand the miracle before him—that his brother, once lost, was now found; once dead, was now alive (v. 32).

God’s Relentless Pursuit of the Lost

God’s pursuit of sinners is relentless and rooted in eternal love. “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Even when hearts grow cold and consciences harden, the Holy Spirit continues to stir and awaken the lost. Christ’s ongoing intercession before the Father reveals God’s active pursuit—he does not wait for sinners to come to him but initiates redemption himself.

God patiently calls for repentance, as Peter reminds us: “The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). His compassion precedes our turning, and his love endures even in our rebellion.

A Call to Examine Our Hearts

This passage invites believers to examine their own hearts. Do we still find joy in God and his word? When our delight in him fades, we risk becoming like the elder son—religious but distant, busy in service yet barren in love.

When serving becomes mere duty, knowledge turns cold, and worship loses its truth. True worship flows from a heart anchored in God’s word and shaped by faith, not emotion. To avoid falling into empty religiosity, we must daily fight to love Christ, walk by faith, and depend on prayer. Only then can our service be joyful, our worship sincere, and our relationship with God alive.

October 19, 2025 0

True Christianity – John 14:15

The backdrop of John 14 is the Last Supper, where Jesus is preparing His disciples for His physical departure. The disciples are deeply grieved, disturbed, frightened, anxious, worried, and confused by Jesus’s predictions of betrayal and eventual absence, as they cannot imagine a world without Him.

Jesus offers comforts, urging them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God also believe in me”. He promises to prepare a place for them in heaven and to come back again to take them there. He also states they will perform greater works. Furthermore, Jesus promises to answer their prayers if they are made in His name, to His glory, and to His purpose.

Amidst these promises, verse 15 appears: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. This verse serves as the qualifier, defining for whom those promises are given: those who love Jesus and obey His commandments. This relationship is the defining character of a genuine Christian. A true Christian is one who loves and obeys.

Love and obedience are inseparable. Love is the inner motive, and obedience is the outer expression.

Jesus says “If”. This is a first-class conditional particle which assumes the condition is true. If you truly love Jesus, the result (obedience) is assured. The use of “if” describes the natural outcome of authentic faith, rather than expressing doubt or serving as a threat. This is the inseparable connection between love and obedience.

Jesus uses agape for love. There are other types of love, but eros for romantic, philia for friendship, and storge for familial. Agape love is self-sacrificial, selfless, conscious, and empathetic. It is an ongoing, active reality and a continuing state of love. Agape is unconditional love centered on the well-being of the loved one.

Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2), demonstrates agape love. Abraham revered and loved God so much that he obeyed God’s commandment, even though it was painful and costly. Abraham obeyed before knowing a substitute would be provided, revealing that love for God is relational, not transactional.

The word keep means to watch over, guard, or preserve with careful intentional observance. The grammar indicates an assurance: you will keep (future indicative), which is a prediction of what genuine love for Jesus produces in a believer’s life.

Commandments refers to a direct order or command from an authority, specifically referencing Jesus’s own teachings throughout His ministry. Jesus’s words are not separate from God, but are the Father’s words (John 14:10). God’s word is living, eternal (Matthew 24:35), produces life and spirit (John 6:63), and brings truth (John 17:17) and freedom (John 8:31-32).

Genuine love and obedience must not be confused with the following:

Not Mere Emotion: Agape is conscientious and intentional. Human emotions are fickle and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Relying on theatrical or emotional church experiences does not produce lasting change; away from the stimulus, these individuals may look no different than non-believers. Instead, the believer must “Delight yourself in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4) so that their desires align with God’s will.
Not Mere Profession: Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-17); external confessions or good intentions are worthless if not followed by genuine action. Peter spoke big game, promising to die for Jesus, but ran when Jesus was arrested. When Jesus later asked Peter if he loved Him (Agape/Philo), Jesus followed the affirmation with the command to “feed my sheep”, showing that love must manifest in obedience.
Not Legalism: Legalism emphasizes strict adherence to rules to earn favor (“If I do this, then God will do that”). Many who prophesied or performed miracles were rejected by Christ because they lacked a relationship built on love (“I never knew you”—Matthew 7:21-23). The will of the Father is simply to love Him. Eternal life is about relationship: to know God and Jesus Christ (John 17:33). Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed (Matthew 6:1); the true test of faith is found in what you do in secret, when no one else is watching.

Agape love is a divine gift that we cannot create ourselves. Our love is responsive, granted because God first loved us, initiating His love even when we were His enemies.

In His absence, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit’s indwelling as Helper and Spirit of Truth (John 14:16-23). If anyone loves Jesus and keeps His commandments, the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) will make their abode in them. The Holy Spirit awakens our dead spirit and enables us to obey his commandments. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered Peter and the disciples with boldness and fervor to obey God rather than men, even when jailed or threatened.

The true demonstration of faith rests on the relationship between agape love and obedience. Jesus died for your entire life, meaning your previous life is forfeit, replaced by a new life granted through the Holy Spirit. Because the Triune God makes an abode in you, you are able to love God fully and completely. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Do not limit God by believing that genuine obedience is “not possible in my life,” or only for “more faithful men,” because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If you find yourself operating in a legalistic, emotional, or transactional manner instead of genuine, selfless love, the command is to repent and ask the Lord to grant you the love that enables you to obey His commandments.

October 12, 2025 0