Luke 16 Devotional

A Word Already Given

“Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’””Luke 16:31 (BSB)

Luke 16 is about money, and it is not comfortable. A dishonest manager about to lose his job cuts the bills of his master's debtors so they will welcome him later, and he is commended for acting shrewdly (16:1-8). Wealth is temporary and should be used with eternity in view, since no one can serve both God and money (16:9-13).

Then he tells of a rich man who feasts every day while a beggar named Lazarus lies at his gate covered with sores (16:19-21). After death their places are reversed, and the rich man asks that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers. Abraham answers that they have Moses and the Prophets, and that anyone who will not listen to them will not be persuaded even by someone rising from the dead (16:29-31). Jesus himself would soon rise (Luke 24:6). God has not left anyone without a word. The Scriptures already speak, and the risen Christ stands behind them, so you can listen now, while there is still time to change course.

To think about: What has God already made plain to you in Scripture about your money that you have been waiting for some further sign before acting on?