Tag: luke

Signs of the Hell-Bound – Luke 16:27-31

The rich man in this passage is depicted as suffering intensely in hell, tormented not only by his own anguish but also by the dreadful realization that his family may share the same fate. His misery is compounded by the awareness that those he loves remain on the same path of destruction. Within this account, Scripture reveals several indicators that led to his eternal ruin—signs that characterize those who are bound for judgment.

The hell-bound take the Word of God lightly.

One defining mark of the hell-bound is a dismissive or indifferent attitude toward the Word of God. Though the rich man was a Jew and therefore regularly exposed to the preaching and teaching of Scripture, his heart remained unmoved. He showed no genuine concern for applying God’s Word to his life. Rather than esteeming Scripture as primary, he relegated it to a secondary place beneath religious tradition and outward expressions of piety. External religiosity replaced heartfelt obedience.

When Jesus refers to “Moses and the Prophets,” He is affirming the authority of the Old Testament—what we now understand as both the Old and New Testament that make up the Bible. This principle extends to the whole of God’s Word. Scripture possesses ultimate authority because it proceeds from God Himself; it stands above all human opinions, traditions, and philosophies as the final standard for truth and morality. When Scripture speaks, God speaks. It reveals who He is, who we are, and how we may be saved. It confronts sin, corrects error, and calls for obedience. God’s Word is not merely theological in abstraction; it is personal and demands response. Just as Noah obeyed God’s command to build the ark in faith, so every hearer is called to trust and obey. The hell-bound, however, resist this authority through deliberate lawlessness—an inward rebellion that eventually manifests outwardly.

Jesus further emphasizes that the Word of God is sufficient to save. No miraculous sign, not even a resurrection, can persuade a hardened heart apart from Scripture. The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture teaches that the Bible contains all that is necessary for salvation and for a life of faithful obedience. It clearly reveals God’s plan to reconcile sinners to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. No additional spectacle or human innovation is required to accomplish what God has already provided in His Word.

Scripture is sufficient because it is effective. As Isaiah declares, God’s Word accomplishes His purposes and does not return void. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the Scriptures, works powerfully through them to convict and regenerate. If the Spirit does not move upon the sinner’s heart, that person remains governed by self-will and spiritual blindness. The fundamental problem, therefore, is not lack of evidence but resistance of the heart.

True hearing of God’s Word produces faith, understanding, submission, and trust. Many may listen outwardly, but few receive the gospel with humility and openness. Without divine revelation, sinners cannot rightly grasp God’s holiness or the depth of their own sin. The rich man’s tragedy was not ignorance but indifference. A heart filled with pride and love of sin grows increasingly hardened over time. Salvation ultimately hinges not on the extent of knowledge but on the posture of one’s heart before God.

The hell-bound is natural and earthly.

Another defining characteristic of the hell-bound is a natural, earthly mindset. The rich man’s request that Abraham send someone to appear before his brothers reveals his belief that visible proof would be more persuasive than Scripture. For him, seeing would produce believing. Yet Scripture teaches that the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are spiritually discerned. Human reasoning, pragmatism, and sensory evidence often take precedence over divine revelation in the natural mind.

The rich man’s proposed solution is centered on spectacle rather than Scripture. In doing so, he reflected a worldview grounded in human creativity and showmanship. If his brothers relied on such methods, they too would follow him into judgment. Signs and dramatic experiences cannot create genuine repentance. Even Judas Iscariot witnessed countless miracles performed by Jesus, yet his heart remained unconverted. Abraham’s response makes clear that salvation does not come through visible wonders but through the faithful proclamation of God’s Word.

The hell-bound does not live by faith.

Finally, the hell-bound are marked by an absence of true faith. Hearing the Word of God is essential, for it is the ordained means by which saving faith is granted. Through Scripture, the spiritually dead are made alive. Genuine repentance produces outward change because it flows from inward transformation. No one is brought to saving faith apart from God’s revealed Word, and those who reject it will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. The raising of Lazarus demonstrated this sobering reality, as many still refused to believe despite witnessing extraordinary power.

How, then, can we know whether we are heaven-bound rather than hell-bound? Jesus teaches that true disciples abide in His Word, know the truth, and are set free by it. Authentic conversion bears fruit in a life of ongoing sanctification. Christians are not sinless, but they are marked by a growing hatred of sin, a continual struggle against the flesh, and an increasing love for and conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The reality of hell carries eternal weight. If hell exists—and Scripture affirms that it does—it should profoundly shape our priorities and our concern for others. This parable calls us to sober self-examination and earnest compassion for every soul we encounter. After death, the opportunity for repentance is gone. As R.C. Sproul solemnly warned, a true understanding of hell’s reality should drive us urgently and humbly to the cross—the only refuge for sinners and the only path to eternal life.

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Urgent Request from Hell – Luke 16:27-28

Living righteously rather than comfortably carries eternal consequences. Our daily pursuits reveal whether we seek to honor God or merely secure worldly ease. In Jesus’ parable, the rich man represents a life compromised by comfort and self-interest, while Lazarus exemplifies faithful endurance. Though outwardly religious and materially blessed, the rich man lacked genuine spiritual life. Like the warning in Matthew 16:26, he gained the world yet forfeited his soul. As John MacArthur observes, his wealth likely reinforced his false assurance of divine favor. In contrast, Scripture teaches that those bound for heaven live by God’s grace, denying ungodliness and pursuing righteousness (Titus 2:12). From the rich man’s urgent plea to Abraham, several sobering truths emerge.

First, hell is depicted as a place of conscious agony and irreversible separation. The rich man experiences intense torment with no relief (vv. 24–26). His suffering underscores divine justice: there is no crossing the chasm fixed between heaven and hell. Separation from God is not trivial; it means the absence of all goodness and the presence of unending judgment.

Second, the rich man becomes an unexpected evangelist. Realizing the horror of his condition, he pleads for his family to be warned (vv. 27–28). His request highlights the urgency of evangelism. Christians, who know the biblical truth about judgment, are called to proclaim the gospel and warn others while there is still time. Like the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:3, believers should feel deep concern for the lost and urge repentance and faith in Christ as the only way of salvation.

Third, the parable teaches the finality of eternal separation. Though dialogue appears between the rich man and Abraham, Jesus uses this imagery to emphasize the permanent divide established by God. Communication between the living and the dead is not possible, countering beliefs such as necromancy. Scripture alone provides sufficient revelation about death and judgment. The responsibility to proclaim truth rests with the living; the dead cannot return to call others to repentance.

Finally, the only opportunity for repentance is in this life. Any notion of a second chance after death contradicts biblical teaching. Eternal separation affirms God’s justice, while eternal life reflects His mercy toward those who repent and trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Genuine faith results in transformed living. While believers continue to struggle with sin, true conversion produces visible fruit through the Holy Spirit’s work.

Salvation is urgent. Many postpone repentance, assuming there will be more time. Yet life is uncertain, and death brings judgment (Hebrews 9:27). As R.C. Sproul warns, God’s mercy has a boundary—the end of one’s earthly life. After that, it is too late. A right understanding of hell should compel sinners to flee to Christ and motivate believers to share the gospel earnestly.

The rich man’s plea remains a solemn warning. May Christians pray and labor so that those around them hear and respond to the good news of salvation found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Hell Is Hellish – Luke 16:22-26

In today’s text, Pastor Paul will explore the biblical description of hell, with the hope that believers will be compelled to proclaim the gospel to sinners so that they might avoid going there. Hell is real. Hell is hellish. Though this passage may be presented as a parable about Lazarus and the rich man, the reality it conveys is sobering—many are entering hell today and will remain there for eternity. On Earth, people receive second chances and opportunities to recover from failure. But once someone enters hell, there is no return.

Hell is described here as Hades. Hades is the general dwelling place of the dead. Broadly speaking, it consists of two realms—the place of blessing and the place of torment. The rich man, in torment, looked up and saw Lazarus in comfort. In Hebrew, Hades is referred to as Sheol, the realm of the dead. In this intermediate state, the righteous and the unrighteous are separated. What is experienced in Hades anticipates the final reality of hell.

Hades foreshadows hell. The dead await the return of Christ. After the millennial kingdom and the final judgment, those in Hades will be cast into hell (Gehenna), the lake of fire. In other words, sinners are presently confined in Hades awaiting their final sentencing. Revelation 20:14 declares, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

Hell is a conscious state of existence following physical death. In hell, they experience real suffering rather than ceasing to exist. Some deny consciousness after death, but Scripture clearly teaches otherwise. “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom…” (Luke 16:23–25, 27–28). Both the rich man and Lazarus are conscious. They remember their lives, their identities, and even their families.

Although sinners are conscious in Hades, they are consciously separated from God. Their awareness intensifies their suffering. The rich man cried out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me… for I am in agony in this flame” (Luke 16:24). He was fully aware of his pain and helplessness.

Jesus depicts several sobering images of hell in this passage:

  • Torment and fire. The agony never ends. Hell is the outpouring of God’s righteous wrath. It is divine justice. In hell, sinners are utterly separated from God and from all that is good.
  • The undying worm. This imagery conveys relentless, unending torment without relief.
  • Unquenchable thirst. The rich man longed for even a drop of water to cool his tongue (v. 24), but God’s judgment would not permit it.
  • Memory and awareness. The rich man remembered the comforts of his earthly life, which only deepened his anguish. The torment is not merely physical but also psychological and spiritual.

The torment of hell is just. God’s justice demands full accountability. Hell is the consequence of a sinner’s decision to remain in unbelief. Even in torment, there is no repentance. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “The gates of hell are locked from the inside.”

  • Christopher W. Morgan describes it this way:
  • “Those in hell suffer intense and excruciating pain—emotional, spiritual, and physical. Hell is worse than being drowned in the sea. It is worse than any earthly suffering. The suffering never ends… The intensity of the suffering corresponds to the wickedness of the person’s behavior. Hell is utterly dreadful; the suffering is constant.”
  • Revelation 14:11 declares, “The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night.”
  • Hell is eternal because the soul does not die, and sin is committed against an eternal, holy God. The infinite worth of the One sinned against explains the eternal weight of judgment.

There are several impossibilities in hell:

  • Irreversible unbelief. The rich man cried, “Father Abraham,” revealing his Jewish heritage. Yet lineage and religious background cannot save. There is no repentance after death.
  • No transformation. If the heart is not changed on earth, it will not be changed in hell. The rich man sought relief, not repentance.
  • Unbridgeable separation. A great chasm separates the righteous from the unrighteous. This division is fixed by God Himself.
  • No mediator. The rich man appealed to Abraham, but there is no mediator in hell. The only mediator between God and man is Jesus Christ.
  • No annihilation. Scripture does not teach that hell is temporary or that its inhabitants cease to exist. The language of “destroy” often refers to ruin and ongoing torment. Revelation describes the torment as “forever and ever.” Hell is a present and continuing reality.

Understanding the permanence of hell and the impossibility of escape should drive every Christian to examine their faith and urgently proclaim the gospel. None of us knows when our last day will be, yet most live as though we have unlimited time.

R.C. Sproul warns:
“Two words you never want to hear from God are ‘too late.’ God is merciful beyond human comprehension. But His mercy has a boundary—the end of your life. ‘It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment’ (Heb. 9:27). If we cry for mercy after we’re dead, it is too late. If you truly understand the reality of hell, you would crawl over broken glass to the cross—to the only One who can bring you safely home for eternity.”

Do you desire to be saved? Nothing is more important. Nothing should come before your salvation. Delaying your salvation is dangerous. Today is the day of salvation. If, by God’s grace, you understand the gospel, then repent of your sins and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life.

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The Sobering Truths – Luke 16:19-22

Introduction

Death is a sobering reality; everyone lives on God’s borrowed time. Death comes for everyone, to anyone, at any time, and no one can stop it. In Genesis, Methuselah lived 969 years, and he died (Genesis 5:27), but on average, just as the amazing Bible explains, our days are seventy or eighty years (Psalm 90:10). It is a mistake to believe that death is extinction, unconscious nothingness, or the end of personhood. Death is not annihilation; rather, it ends one mode of existence—the earthly and fleshly—and transitions the individual into a new mode of existence, either in Christ or outside of Christ.

There are three types of death: physical death, where the soul and body separate; spiritual death, which is separation from God; and eternal death, the second death, where one remains in heaven or hell forever. Death was brought into the world by the curse of God as a judicial response to the consequences of sin. It is the natural effect of humanity’s rebellion, conformed by God’s law and tied to the curse. As Romans 5:12 states, sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, affecting all humanity. However, not all death is equal. The quality of death is different for every person because how one lives today determines the kind of death they will experience.

Living Well is Not Enough

The first sobering truth is that living well is not enough to result in being separated unto God. A person can be respected, wealthy, and successful in the eyes of the world without a guarantee of going to heaven. Jesus describes the rich man in this passage with vivid detail, noting he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. Purple fabric represented royalty, luxury, and power, and this man feasted sumptuously every single day, not merely occasionally (Luke 16:19).

Jesus did not charge the rich man with a specific crime or dishonest character, but his habitual life of luxury revealed a life full of sin and an orientation centered entirely on self. It is not a matter of perfection but orientation; the rich man turned blessings into self-service rather than stewardship for God. He did not deny himself; he avoided the cross (Luke 9:23) and, while he gained the whole world, forfeited his own soul (Luke 9:25). Those who live blindly and recklessly for themselves, ignoring Jesus, will eventually hear the ultimate response: “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).

Living Right is Essential

The second sobering truth is that living right is essential to being separated unto God in death. No one is born to live right, and if life were fair, everyone would be hanging on a cross (Romans 3:10). Living right is impossible through human trials or inventions; it is only possible through being justified by faith and having peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Jesus specifically names Lazarus, whose name means “God helps,” showing that while many are called, few are chosen.

The life of Lazarus reflects a spirit in complete poverty; he had nothing to offer God and relied entirely on His mercy. True Christians are “poor in spirit,” possessing a humility that knows they need only what God provides (Matthew 5:3). Lazarus was content even with crumbs, showing that living right is the fruit of salvation, not the root. This orientation of total dependence on God’s mercy is the most necessary fit for being separated unto God.

Everyone Dies and the Consequences Follow

The third sobering truth is that everyone dies, and the consequences follow. Both the rich man and Lazarus died, but their deaths were not equal. When Lazarus died, he was carried away by angels to Abraham’s side. This royal escort language implies that after a Christian dies, it is a grand homecoming where God notices and initiates a glorified transition. For the believer, death is a relocation, not a loss; because they have been crucified with Christ, they have already gone through the first death and only eternity remains. Death loses its power to harm and becomes a gateway to Chris,t where no more tears or sin exist. Abraham’s side is a place of comfort, safety, and rest, where the believer is a companion of the righteous in the joy of God.

In contrast, the rich man also died and was buried. His death was miserable and empty because he had no Jesus. He was not carried by angels; he was simply buried, which represents the emptiness of a final earthly end. While a non-Christian might have an impressive funeral with beautiful eulogies, they enter a state of conscious separation from God and immediate regret. They must face the final Judge, and for them, death is not a gateway but a wall. For the non-believer, eternal suffering starts at death because they have no hope in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Everyone is living on God’s borrowed time, and this precious time must be used wisely for salvation. If a person is not yet saved, they must repent and trust the Lord, not testing God’s patience. If saved, the call is to worship, love, and obey Him in all circumstances, enjoying the transformation God has provided. God can transform those who used to be like the rich man into those like Lazarus, who totally depend on the Lord. While life on this earth will end, those in Christ have a guarantee that it is not the end, but a gateway to a perfect and eternal home because Jesus did everything perfectly.

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Damning Spiritual Wickedness – Luke 16:16-18

In Luke 16, Jesus gives a serious indictment of the Pharisees. While they appeared righteous on the outside, Jesus, who knows the heart, exposes their true spiritual deadness. Our current passage leads directly to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, warning us that those who appear “nice” but remain spiritually wicked will face eternal damnation.

Spiritual Blindness

Spiritual wickedness is not just an outward moral failing; it is evil that operates in the realm of faith, worship, and authority. It is the willful corruption of what is holy, often masquerading as righteousness. The Pharisees would argue over the minutiae of the Sabbath as a pretense of righteousness while they would challenge Jesus, the Lord of Sabbath. Spiritual wickedness is sin against God. Like Eli’s sons who “did not know Yahweh” despite being priests and committed horrible sins in the name of God, spiritual wickedness is a sin primarily against God rather than man (1 Sam 2:12, 25). This wickedness leads to spiritual blindness, where one can no longer recognize the truth of God’s Word or the person of Jesus Christ.

The “Law and the Prophets” refers to the entire Old Testament. The Law means the books of Moses and the Prophets means the rest of the books in the Old Testament. All of them, starting in Genesis, tell of the coming Messiah. They could not see the role of God’s word and the role of John the Baptist and ultimately could not recognize Jesus ChristThe Pharisees spent their lives studying these scriptures, yet they missed the “real thing” standing before them.

  • The Old Testament is not inferior; it is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16). God used human authors like musical instruments to play His melody.
  • From Moses (Deut 18:15) to Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7), the scriptures clearly pointed to Jesus.
  • Even today, we can be spiritually blind if our Bibles gather dust or if we lack “spiritual perception”. We must tremble at the Word (Isaiah 66:1-2) rather than treating it as a common or familiar thing.

Spiritual Insensitivity: Failure to repent 

John the Baptist served as the bridge between the old and new eras. His role was to prepare the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance. John the Baptist cannot be separated from Jesus Christ. The Law shows us our sin and weakness, and John the Baptist points us to the Lamb of God who takes away that sin. The Pharisees hated John’s message because the spiritually blind hate to repent; they think they are already pure based on their own self-righteousness. Do you know your heart condition? How wicked and sinful you are? If you really knew, there is nothing you can do but repentance in Jesus. The wicked are blind to this desperate need. They think they can be blessed without repentance.

Spiritual Arrogance

From the beginning (Genesis 3:15), the good news of Jesus has been provided. The promise was given to Eve that her offspring would defeat the serpent. This promise is proclaimed loudly and clearly all through the Old Testament. It is impossible to miss the good news. The Kingdom of God is “good news” because Jesus is a righteous and life-giving King. It is good news because the Kingdom is not just a political entity; it is a “family business” where we are co-heirs with Christ. However the Pharisees’ kingdom was political. They had their own kingdom, separate from the Kingdom of God. They could not get into God’s kingdom because they were not willing to repent. No one in hell will say, I tried so hard to get saved by Jesus but it didn’t happen. It is because you refused to repent. (Matthew 3:2)

The Cure to Spiritual Blindness 

For the non Christian, you are spiritually blind if your salvation and Jesus is not the most urgent need in your life. Psalm 90:3 says your life is fragile and temporary. Today must be the day of salvation. For the Christian, if your transformation and godly character are not your priority then you might be spiritually blind. We need signs of love and growing holiness and mortifying sin. The cure is the same. Repentance

How do we know if we are no longer blind? We find ourselves “forcing” our way into the Kingdom (Luke 16:16).

  • Holy Zeal: This is not salvation by works, but a “pressing hard” with intensity and determination. It is the mark of someone who sees the light and pursues it like a person lost at sea rowing toward a lighthouse.
  • Pressing On: Like the Apostle Paul, we must reach forward and “press on toward the goal” (Phil 3:13-14).

Jesus loves us and He shed his blood for us. He showed His love for us. We must reciprocate that love with our passionate pursuit of Him. If you claim to see but do not strive, your sin remains. We must acknowledge our blindness, turn from our self-righteousness, and desperately pursue Christ through repentance and faith.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

  1. Does money influence your decisions more than prayer does?
  2. Do you feel more anxiety about finances than trust in God’s provision?
  3. Do you struggle to give generously because you feel you “can’t afford it”?
  4. Do you think about money more often than God?
  5. Do you avoid obeying God when obedience may affect your income or comfort?
  6. Do you find identity in what you earn or own?
  7. Do you envy others’ income, lifestyle, or possessions?
  8. Do unexpected expenses provoke fear or irritation?
  9. Do you neglect time with God because you are busy pursuing financial goals?
  10. 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?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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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.

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