Saved By Grace

The parables of “The Unjust Steward” and “Lazarus and the Rich Man” [1] follow the parables of “The Lost Sheep,” “The Lost Coin,” and “The Lost Son.” [2] Both the unjust steward and Lazarus are men who had nothing to offer the Lord in terms of wealth or a great resumé, and yet, both escape with their lives at the end of their stories.

“He [Jesus] also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.’” [3]

The steward or treasurer in this parable of Jesus either messed up or was falsely accused. His rich boss was about to terminate him, so he made friends with his bosses’ debtors by reducing one’s debts by 50% and another’s debt by 20%. He hoped they would take him in after he was fired. Based on the context of the chapter in which this parable is told, I believe the treasurer was just trying to survive.

Jesus told His disciples, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” [4] The emphasis is not to love worldly wealth more than God.

“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” [5]

Money and success are highly esteemed among people who want to justify themselves. But this kind of self-worth is an abomination to God. People are intrinsically valuable to God. He created us in His image. We do not need to prove our value. God loves us.

Jesus told another parable in the presence of the Pharisees. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted-up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” “Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” [6]

The rich man assumed that he was safe due to his abundant provisions, but his life was devoid of God. He had no compassion on poor Lazarus. He had no relationship with God.

Lazarus had nothing to offer God, but a wounded, homeless, and hungry man. The Lord had mercy on Him and brought him to be with Father Abraham. Like the steward of the rich man who failed his master, he knew that he needed grace if he was going to have a place to live in the future. We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be welcomed into His eternal home. He is the only Savior from sin. 

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You are my Savior. I trust You to save me though I do not deserve to be saved. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 16
[2] Luke 15
[3] Luke 16:1
[4] Luke 16:13
[5] Luke 16:14-15
[6] Luke 16:19-20, 22-2, 25