Unit 2 LESSON 10

May 4, 2025

Study Text: Luke 12:13-21; 16:1-31

             Central Truth: We are deciding now what our afterlife will be.

KEY VERSE: Luke 12:21 So is he [a fool] that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (KJV).

"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want people to remember you once your life ends? The Bible teaches us that the way we live now will affect how we experience the afterlife. As Christians, our eternal worldview should transform how we live here and now. The things we value and the way we treat people should flow from the reality of our eternal relationship with God. This lesson focuses on three parables Jesus told about the afterlife. Jesus did not tell these stories for the purpose of explaining exactly what eternity will be like. Instead. His ministry focused on how people should love God and others in this life. Jesus taught His foll punishment and eternal reward.owers to live in such a way that they were prepared for the kingdom of heaven. Jesus' goal is to compel people to evaluate their earthly words and actions in light of the reality of eternal punishment and eternal reward.

PART 1- The Rich Fool

The Measure of Life        Luke 12:13-15

As Jesus was teaching, He was interrupted by someone who wanted Him to settle a dispute over an inheritance. This person wanted a summary judgment in his own favor. Instead od addressing the man's request, Jesus chose to address the attitude of the man's heart: "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed" (Luke 12:15). Jesus' warning indicates the man was possibly in spiritual danger and needed to actively confront the greed that would consume him. Jesus explained that the measure of a person's life is not found in his or her possessions. When God weighs our lives on Judgment Day, He will not use the standard the world uses.

Discuss? What are some ways we can actively guard against greed?

Storing the Right Things                        Luke 12:16-21

In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus followed up His warning to guard against greed by telling a story. Listening to Jesus story, the people would have realized the man with the productive farm was extremely wealthy. Yet the man's focus was on himself. His goal was his own pleasure, regardless of the cost to others and the eternal consequences (verses 17-19). In verse 20, Jesus concluded the story with words from God Himself: "You fool! You will die this very night." His foolishness was evident in his decisions that did not account for God. He believed he was in control of his own destiny. However, death came unexpectedly. The man was forced to leave his wealth behind, completely out of his control. Jesus reminded His listeners that storing wealth on earth is temporary endeavor. Only investing in a rich relationship with God will provide everlasting security.

Discuss? What are some of the signs that a person has a rich relationship with God?

Part 2-- The Unjust Steward

A Worldly Example                        Luke 16:1-7

In Jesus' parable a rich man heard that his steward had wasted his money and decided to fire him. The employee did not argue with the employer's decision, indicating that he accepted the blame. As the steward was preparing his final report before leaving, he considered his options. Being removed from his master's house meant he would lose his home and his status. He knew he was too weak to do manual labor, and he was too proud to become a beggar. Before leaving his job, the steward decided to meet with his employer's clients to reduce their loan amounts. If he wiped away some of their debt, they would owe to reduce their loan amounts. If he wiped away some of their debt, they would owe him favors. Neither the rich employer nor his dishonest employee set an example of good moral behavior. But Jesus was about to use this illustration to teach His listeners a valuable lesson.

DISCUSS? In what way was the servant's behavior clever? In what way was it dishonest?

          A Heavenly Principle                  Luke 16:8-12

The dishonest servant used a worldly strategy and resources to solve his dilemma. Jesus was not suggesting that His followers should do the same, rather, He told them to use their worldly resources to make sternal investments. The rich man had to grudgingly admire his servant for being so clever (Luke 16:8). Jesus also encouraged His followers to cleverly prepare for their future in God's kingdom. We should show generosity, using our earthly wealth to make friends and, by extension, make disciples. This is part of what it means to "store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:20). Then, when we enter the afterlife, the friends who have reached their reward before us will "welcome [us] to an eternal home" (Luke 16:9).

DISCUSS? How are you using your resources in this life to prepare for the next life?

      Part 3- The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Great Reversal      Luke 16:19-25

Jesus

Discuss?  How can the promise of an afterlife give us hope when we are grieving?

Jesus opened this parable by creating a caricature of a ridiculously wealthy person who is entirely self-indulgent (Luke 16:19). He lives in the lap of luxury, denying himself nothing and insisting on the best of everything. Then Jesus portrays another caricature, this time of a miserable poor man named Lazarus, who lay at the rich man's gate every day, desperate for scraps from the dinner table (verse 20). The parable does not say the rich man mistreated Lazarus, simply that he took no notice of him at all. He was so focused in his own life that he couldn't be bothered to even glance at the poor man lying near his home. In this parable, the point isn't that all the poor get an eternal reward and that all rich people receive eternal punishment. Rather, Jesus showed clearly whose side God was on; He elevates the lowly and condemns the proud. Great success or poverty in this world doesn't dictate the outcome in the next. Most people wouldn't call themselves wealthy, but truthfully, most of us have more than we need. As Jesus' followers, we must be aware of the suffering of others and compassionately meet their needs as the Lord enables us. We should not use our earthly blessings for selfish reasons, but to lift up those in need.

Discuss? What are some ways people show indifference to others' needs?

A Fixed Destiny                  Luke 16:26-31

During his lifetime, the rich man in Jesus' parable took no notice of Lazarus. Even in the afterlife, he refused to speak to Lazarus himself, instead addressing his comments to Abraham. He tried to use his relationship as one of Abraham's descendants to explain what he should use his relationship as one of Abraham's descendants to explain why he should get relief from his suffering (Luke 16:24,27,30). At first, the rich man wanted to use Lazarus as a servant to relieve his suffering (verse 24). When that failed, he wanted to use Lazarus as a messenger to warn his brothers of the judgment awaiting them (verse 27-28). Even in torment, the rich man still had no regard for Lazarus. Even when Jesus himself rose from the dead, some people would choose to continue in their unbelief.

Discuss? What are some ways a person can change their perspective and focus. on eternity?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Every person's eternal destiny is determined in this life. Our time is short from an eternal perspective, so we should seek to have a rich relationship with God. We must wisely and compassionately use the time and resources we've been given. We should always be looking for ways to bless the people God places in our path. Our legacy shouldn't be large barns filled with material possessions, but disciples whose lives have been changed by God working through us.

LIVING IT OUT

Evaluate the kinds of treasures you are storing up. Are they temporary or eternal?

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                        Monday: Death and Burial of Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:5-12).

                 Tuesday: The Last Words of David. (2 Samuel 23:1-7)

                Wednesday: Job on the Resurrection. (Job 14:7-15)

                             Thursday: Jesus Receives a Christian Martyr (Acts 7:54-60) 

                   Friday. Death. (Hebrew of an Ungodly King. (Acts 12:20-25) 

                                   Saturday: Contrasting Destinies Revelation. (Revelation 21:1-8)

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 106 Number 3. Mar. Apr. May 2025