Ang Tusong Katiwala | Lukas 16:1-15 | Baitang 10

Summary

In this video, the parable of the cunning steward from the book of Luke (chapter 16:15-18) is explored. Jesus tells a story about a rich man’s steward who, after being caught mismanaging his master’s property, uses worldly wisdom to secure his future by reducing the debts of others. The lesson emphasizes using worldly wealth for good, being trustworthy with little before being entrusted with more, and the incompatibility of serving both God and money. The Pharisees, who loved money, ridiculed Jesus, but He reminded them that God knows what is in people's hearts, and what is valued by men is often an abomination in God's eyes.

Takeaways

• 😀 A parable is a short story with a lesson, often drawn from biblical teachings, and may contain elements of mystery.
• 😀 In Luke 16:15-18, Jesus tells the story of a steward who mismanages his master's resources and faces dismissal.
• 😀 The steward, realizing he's about to lose his job, decides to reduce the debts of his master's debtors in a clever move to secure his future.
• 😀 The steward's actions are praised by the master, who sees the steward’s worldly wisdom, contrasting it with the often misplaced wisdom of the godly.
• 😀 Jesus encourages using worldly wealth for good, so when it runs out, people will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
• 😀 Faithfulness in small matters translates to faithfulness in bigger things. Similarly, deceit in little things reflects greater deceit.
• 😀 If you can't be trusted with worldly wealth, you won’t be entrusted with true riches.
• 😀 If you aren't faithful with someone else’s property, you won't receive your own.
• 😀 You cannot serve both God and money at the same time; loyalty to one will lead to despising the other.
• 😀 The Pharisees, who loved money, mocked Jesus' teaching, but Jesus reminded them that God sees what is in their hearts, unlike the way people judge them.
• 😀 Jesus warns that what people find important may be an abomination in God's eyes, emphasizing the difference between human and divine values.

Q & A

What is a parable?

A parable is a short story with a lesson, usually taken from the Bible. Parables often have a suggestive tone and may contain elements of mystery.

What lesson does the parable of the steward in Luke 16:15-18 convey?

The parable conveys lessons about wisdom, trustworthiness, and the use of worldly wealth. It teaches that being trustworthy in small matters leads to greater responsibilities, and warns that one cannot serve both God and money.

Why did the steward in the parable decide to reduce the debts of his master's debtors?

The steward reduced the debts to ensure that, even after losing his position, he would be welcomed into the homes of the debtors as he would no longer be employed.

How did the master respond to the steward's actions?

The master praised the steward for his wisdom, acknowledging that worldly people often use wealth more wisely than those who are godly.

What does Jesus teach about the use of wealth in the parable?

Jesus teaches that people should use the world's wealth to do good for their neighbors, so that when the wealth is gone, they may be received into eternal dwelling places.

What does Jesus mean when he says, 'He who is trustworthy in a very little thing will be trustworthy in much'?

Jesus means that how a person handles small matters reflects their ability to handle greater responsibilities. Trustworthiness in small things indicates trustworthiness in bigger tasks.

What warning does Jesus give about being deceitful with worldly wealth?

Jesus warns that if someone is deceitful with small amounts of wealth, they will also be deceitful with larger amounts, and this could hinder their ability to receive true riches.

What does Jesus say about serving two masters?

Jesus states that no one can serve two masters at the same time. A person will either love one and hate the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. This applies to serving both God and wealth (mammon).

How did the Pharisees react to Jesus' teachings, and why?

The Pharisees ridiculed Jesus because they were lovers of money and did not agree with his teachings about the proper use of wealth.

What does Jesus mean when he says, 'what is considered important by people is an abomination in the sight of God'?

Jesus is highlighting that human values, particularly those centered around wealth and status, are not aligned with God's values. What people prioritize may be seen as sinful or wrong in God's eyes.