Day 293 – Jesus’ Stories about Riches & Wisdom

• The parables in Luke coming coming thick and fast, don’t they? The ones yesterday were clear and easy to understand. You might have found today’s stories harder.
• Don’t worry about the specifics of the actions that the manager took in the first parable. Consider instead his situation. He had just been sacked. How was he being wise in helping both his ex-boss, the people who owed his boss , and himself, in the actions he took? Are you able to be wise in otherwise difficult situations?
• What will you be, if you are faithful in the little things, according to Luke 16:10-11? In this context, what were the “little things? How do you think you can show wisdom and trustworthiness in your young age, in preparation for bigger responsibility when you’re older?
• How does this link in with Jesus’ teachings on “true riches”? Where do you think “true riches” are ultimately found?
• Describe the lives of Lazarus and the rich man. What happened to them both after they died? Who was at peace, and how were their situations reversed? Think carefully – it’s not as simple as the poor being good and the rich being bad.
• Consider that a rich man, with many blessings, might have a lot to thank God for. A poor man, with much pain and sadness in his life, might resent God. Why is this so often not the case? What gets in the way?
• The rich man, in a parable-version of Hell, is shown as begging Abraham to send a message back to his friends and family. What is Abraham’s response? Focus in on Luke 16:30-31. I hope you made the connection with Jesus in the final verses; someone *did* come back from the dead, and yet still people didn’t believe, did they? That is still the case today!
• Today’s passages have been focussing on wisdom – and putting others (and God!) ahead, instead of living for yourself. Flick over to the passage in 1 Corinthians. Why was Paul unconcerned with the judgement of man? Who was he concerned with pleasing?
• In the third reading, we’re reminded that every seven years people could be forgiven their debts. What heart challenges were given to those who might not have wanted to lend money just before the debt-cancellation year?

There are different types of wisdom. There is wisdom in making sensible human decisions. The first parable touched on that. And then there is the wisdom that the world might think foolish – the wisdom of putting aside your own aims and desires and living for God, in the knowledge that there is a life eternal after the one we have now.

This is the greater wisdom for sure! How are you doing at that?

When we think of wisdom, you might naturally think back to our time looking at Israel’s third king, Solomon. He had God-given wisdom of both the types I’ve just mentioned. But he didn’t always live by that wisdom. In the end, he came to regret his life choices, realising that he found nothing of meaning by chasing after the temporary riches of this world. I wonder if you have a path like Solomon’s ahead of you – one that knows wisdom, but chooses not to follow it. Where might you be in ten years, or fifty? What steps can you put in place, do you think, that might help you to continue making wise choices each and every day?