Irmela

2. Who are the "little ones" that Jesus seeks to protect from sin? (17:2b) "Little ones" can refer to infant believers (not necessarily only those new in the faith), these could be believers of any age. Could be said of persons lacking in importance, influence or power. Those lowly in rank (according to the Amplified Version). At different times anyone can be placed in that category as a term of endearment by our Lord.

1. Why do you think Jesus warns his disciples so strongly about not being a cause of temptation to others? Why does Jesus use a millstone to make his point? (17:1-2) Sin is serious. If someone sins because of me and then becomes so trapped by not only the sin but also the guilt which comes with it. It is like I have bound that person with fetters. Most often it does not stop with one sin, but becomes a multitude of sins. By just that explanation above one can understand that it is better not to be a cause of temptation to someone. The millstone was something they all knew. It was heavy and with that around your neck you would definitely not be able to stay above water, you would quite definitely drown. The guilt too, of leading someone into sin, would be a heavy burden on you. That too could be described as a millstone around you.

6. Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor? The difficulty we face so often is who are genuine and who are play-acting. I have seen how those who have so much actually grab and stuff into pockets and bags if something is given away free of charge, so when the poor come at the end of the line there are literally crumbs left for the taking. At street corners or on the places close to stop streets so called "beggars" stand and ask for money. It is hard to know if that money is used for an addiction or towards feeding a whole group of people at home. Several yrs ago the public was asked to refrain from giving out cash as young children found this to be an easy way to get money and thus lived on the street and ran away from stricter discipline at home. Then they themselves started experimenting with sniffing glue and using drugs etc. It is also hard to know to what extent to give, when you yourself are not well off. I have found that when one starts to give there is an expectation to just go on and on. Something is then expected from you which you do not even allow yourself to indulge in. To work with or among them, you have to be like one of them also. You cannot go among the poor carrying a fancy bag, phone or camera etc. Like them, a plastic bag must suffice for carrying stuff in. Like them you eat food wrapped in newspaper and share it with whoever is with you. (Broken off with sometimes grubby hands) If you do carry cash it must be on your body out of sight. You need to be prepared to share all. One is hungry. .... all are hungry. One feasts .... everyone feasts. That is the "general rule" among the down and outs I have worked with. There are also different classes of poor. There are some who are very poor, yet they are clean and empeccably well-behaved. Morally they are not poor. Then you have those who are poor but seem to blame anyone and all around and these are the ones that it is hard to be with. They take everything they possibly can from you and within days have nothing left. Then they start scrounging again. They will also easily steal just for the sake of having that item not because of needing it. These are also the "morally poor". The POOR is definitely not an easy subject to deal with. We certainly need wisdom from above. Just that bit of insight opens up a picture why one struggles to be around the poor. There is an expectation that one cannot fulfill.

5. Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS he teaching? Answer as written by "Hanks" covers it all. Thanks.

4. What does the Old Testament teach about helping the poor that the rich man was responsible for knowing and obeying? (See Exodus 22:25-27; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25:25-28; Leviticus 25:35-37; Leviticus 25:39-43; Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:2-14; Deut. 24:12-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Neh. 8:10; Psalm 37:21; Psalm 37:26; Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:4-5; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:7; Proverbs 31:9; Proverbs 31:20; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:3-4; Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Daniel 4:27; Zech. 7:10) The passages of Scripture referred to above, would all have been familiar to the rich man. He would have been well aware of what his duties to the poor and afflicted, were. Lazarus was at his gate and the rich man probably went in and out in the course of daily duties and should have been aware of him being there. Actually he is even admonished to take the poor and afflicted into his home to care for him. He should have dealt kindly with and showed mercy to Lazarus. Possibly through nourishment, healing could have been the result. In Is 58 we do notice that there is admonition to divide your bread (food) with the hungry and also to cover the naked, to satisfy the need of the afflicted. This should have been done by the rich man. In Nehemiah we read that when Ezra read from the Law of Moses to the people, they wept because of not having lived the way they ought to have. To counteract their previous actions, they sent portions of food to those who did not have. Again it was something the rich man would have learnt about. If the Scriptures are adhered to, by rights there should not really be poor. They are given produce of the land, which they can harvest. Not even just a hand out, they do the collection themselves. So they keep their self esteem and don't need to think it's a hand out. Every 7th yr whatever grows on portion of the land was actually for the poor. For them to gather. Also at the end of every 3 yrs the tithe of the increase was for the ones that did not have. (Levites, strangers/temporary residents, fatherless, widow ...) At the end of 7 yrs whatever was lent to a fellow-Israelite was to be released. If he worked for you, he was to be released after 7yrs and also was not to leave empty handed. From the little shared above one can see provision was made for the destitute. The rich were just to live their part correctly.

3. In this parable, why was the rich man punished? He had not in his life on earth, amended his ways and heeded the Law and the Prophets. (He had not served God) He had not shown mercy to the poor and justice to the downtrodden. He had great wealth but in not also using it to show mercy to the poor, he portrayed a wicked lifestyle. He basically closed his eyes to the truth as revealed in the Law and the Prophets and by so doing ignored what lay ahead in the afterlife. He actually secured eternal damnation for himself.

2. What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty? The rich man is described as dressed in purple and fine linen then the added phrase lived in luxury every day. Finally, a gate to the rich man's property is mentioned. Purple dye was extremely expensive. It was obtained from the shellfish murex. To extract this, tens of thousands of snails were needed. It was collected by crushing the snails or by milking them. Obviously requiring substantial labor. So this was only used by the extremely rich. The fine linen garments were also used by those who could afford this type of luxury. It was not something worn by everyone. Dr G. Campbell Morgan states in his book, The Parables and Metaphors of our Lord, that a robe of fine linen was worth six times its weight in gold. Then we get the phrase lived in luxury everyday, this speaks for itself. He lacked nothing. No need to expound on it. A gate to the rich man's property is mentioned. The word "pulon" is used, which means it was full of artistry and exquisite beauty. They were closed for security reasons at night and opened during the day. The rich man's estate seems to have been like a castle ( or similar) Lazarus is termed to be a beggar, laid at the gate of the rich man. He was covered with sores. He desired to eat what fell from the table. Then we have an even more thought provoking picture of dogs licking the sores. We see here a beggar, who, from the sounds of it, could not even walk himself. He was placed at the gate, where he would possibly/hopefully be noticed. Another aspect was that he was covered in ulcerated sores. (Could be because of lack of proper nourishment) As he had nothing to eat, he was hoping for the scraps that would usually be thrown to the uninvited scavanges around the tables. Dogs would also often gobble these pieces up. These same dogs were also pictured as licking his sores. The picture painted is one of utter poverty and misery.

1. Jesus has been teaching about money in chapter 16. What has been the essence of his teaching up to this point in the chapter? He was teaching about materialism and money - the unjust steward, serving mammon and stewardship. The Law stands as is, it is not to be done away with., that is it is to be rightly interpreted. (all the bits which they call the interpretation of the Law, that is to be left out. The Law as God gave it, that is to be correctly interpreted and kept).

6. How can we both press fervently towards perfection and at the same time have peace and contentment in Christ? Aren't these mutually exclusive? We aren't perfect. Only when we are looked at but Christ is seen (Christ liveth in me) can perfection be seen. By striving (pressing fervently) towards perfection we go against any stumbling block put in our way and keep our eyes focused on Christ. In this we have peace and contentment because we are doing His will.

5. Why do we need to "force" our way into the Kingdom of God? Why should it be so difficult? Shouldn't salvation be easy? When I became aware of how far I had walked away from or turned away from what I knew God's Word to say about how I should live, it was not an easy switch on to come back. So many excuses were made that it was for this or that reason etc. I feel quite sick about it all now. It was an inward battle (could that be taken as forcing) to finally accept Christ's gift of forgiveness with no works on my side. I think if it were not so there would not be any real repentance and it would be a superficial kind of lifestyle. Falling back and forth into serving God with all that you have and then again being in the world. (Basically like sitting on the fence). Christ has done it all for us. Our part is the repentance and turning away from the evil lifestyle and following Him wholeheartedly. The Amplified Translation sheds a different light on this verse. V16 (b) since then the good news (the Gospel) of the Kingdom of God is being preached, and every one strives violently to go in - would force his [own way, rather than God's] way into it. From the above the forcing aspect is seen and understood quite differently.

3. Why do you think Jesus was accused of doing away with the Law? Did he? Jesus did not follow the oral traditions ( e. g. He was accused of working on the Sabbath when He healed someone) or do what the Pharisees interpreted the Law to mean. He did not agree with the legalistic approach to the law. He definitely did not do away with the Law. The Law, interpreted correctly was there and there to stay. 4. Is it possible to hold a high view of the sanctity of marriage at the same time as we love as Christian brothers and sisters those who have been divorced and remarried? Jesus Himself spoke about the marriage and divorce portion in the Scriptures, so He obviously held marriage in high regard. At the same time Jesus also reaches out to those of us who have sinned and failed Him, He forgives us and calls us to follow Him. (regardless of how low I have fallen). Thank You, my Lord for Your unfailing love. For Your grace and Your mercy.

2. Just what is the "good news of the Kingdom of God"? The good news is that the Law will be written on the hearts and be in the minds of the people, i.e., it will be part and parcel of them. They will all know the Lord, from the least to the greatest of them all. The sins and wickedness will be blotted out and no longer remembered. Truly Good News!!!!

1. How did John the Baptist's message (3:3, 16) differ from the prophets who came before him? The prophets before John indeed warned of ONE who was coming, ONE WHO would deliver them, ONE WHO would indeed be on the throne of David. They warned them to turn from their unrighteousness (seen when compared to the Law). They were in the "age" of the "LAW AND THE PROPHETS" and called the people to repent and return to the Law. John went about the countryside and preached a baptism of repentance, an amending/changing of their ways with abhorrence for past wrongdoing, unto the forgiveness of sin. Also he told them there was ONE coming Who was mightier, than he, Who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. In other words he was telling them that the Kingdom of God is near and that it had indeed come. He was in the change over to the KINGDOM AGE. After him they preached the message of Salvation.

9. Jesus states that high human values tend to be the things most detestable to God. How can we know that we have really conformed our lives to God's values rather than just kidding ourselves? God knows our hearts and motivations. Our actions will not be able to hide our true heart for long. We should be able to test our lives by checking if 1) we use the money entrusted to us to accomplish godly acts and spiritual goals 2) we act responsibly with the money and property which is actually God's 3) we are trustworthy and honest concerning what God has entrusted to us (be it a little or a lot, be it a small job or a big one) 4) we are free from money's control of our lives (do we go where there is more pay or do we go where God leads us) 5) we truly live fully in God's control. Are we fully owned by God. I guess an honest look into our lives and actions will reveal where we really stand.

8. Why is it so difficult to try to serve both God and Money? What God puts first is not necessarily what 'Money' puts first. We serve God and He lays on our hearts to give an amount to someone. If He alone is Master of our life it will easily be done ... BUT If Money also is being served, then immediately a difference will ensue and certain thoughts will come up to stop the giving ... No it is not necessary, he has enough, he does not need it, that's too much to give, let's make it less, etc. Looking at the situation like this, one can see that it is not feasible to serve God and Money.

7. In what ways are we not property "owners" but property "stewards" of what God owns? What are the implications of this for our lives? Whatever we own, actually belongs to God. It is entrusted to us to use while we are in this world. In that way we are stewards and not owners of what God owns. We are responsible for how we use what is given to us. We cannot just do anything with it. What would God have us do with it.

6. Why are giving alms and tithing (or sacrificial, generous giving to God's work) so difficult for money-obsessed people? When money has a hold of you, then it is not easy to have faith and believe that there will be enough to see us through the month when sharing/giving to those who don't have. In this way it is very difficult to let go of money. So money has power over you..

5.In what kinds of experiences does Jesus test and seek to mould our trustworthiness with money? Is it possible for a money-obsessed person to become a committed disciple of Jesus? If not, how might this occur? If we are entrusted with little and do our best there and prove that we can be trusted with it, then very likely we will soon be entrusted with much more. If and when a person is obsessed with money i. e. he is owned by money then even if he tithes, he has no real love or compassion for the poor. To become a committed Christian, it is important to give all to Christ. Like that, money or possessions will not have a hold of you. Even time will be committed to Christ.

4. In what ways should we use money to secure our eternal future? (16:9) Giving alms to the poor, secures a reward from God. He remembers kindnesses shown. We are rewarded for giving to the poor but do not secure a place in heaven for it. When the rich young ruler came to Jesus,he asked Jesus what essentially good deed he should do, to possess eternal life. Then Jesus said to him, keep the commandments. After that discussion Jesus said, if you would be perfect(have spiritual maturity which accompanies self-sacrificing character)... Sell all that you have and give to the poor and you will have riches in heaven. So that means our reward is there in heaven.

3.What about the steward's actions does the master commend? What is the point that Jesus draws from this parable? His shrewdness. He acted dishonestly and by so doing gained some friends. (Birds of a feather flock together.) These so called friends would stand by him in time of him struggling for money. (Basically he will be rewarded for his shrewd actions and get support by the one time debtors) When and if giving to the poor, you will be remembered and rewarded.

2. In what way did the steward use money to secure his future? He jippoed the accounting books. He let the debtors reflect a lesser amount owing to his master. In other words, he did not directly get the money into his hands but while he was still in control and in an official and legal capacity acting on behalf of his master he let them reflect a lesser amount to be pd to him. He basically gave them discount on the amount owing. Those debtors in turn would feel compelled to help him out when he was out of a job. So he was securing an income for himself. He could use what he suggested they do to blackmail them that he would reveal it openly that others would see that they were corrupt. (He never wrote or changed anything. They could not prove him guilty. )

1. Why was the steward in Jesus' parable (16:1-8) being fired? What in the passage displays his character? The steward or manager was wasting the rich man's possessions according to verse 1. After he had been called in and relieved of his responsibilities, the manager showed his true colors, by suggesting to the masters debtors that they change the amount that they actually owed him. This reflected a big flaw viz., dishonesty. It was not him that changed the amount. It was the debtors themselves that changed the amounts. This reflected shrewdness on his part. No finger could be pointed to him to have done a crooked deal.

6. How should we celebrate the repentance of sinners in ways that we are not already doing? We should rejoice. (I do not really think that I have not rejoiced over someone that has repented) I get very excited over the slightest change (for the better) seen in someone. Sometimes too early even. (I am extremely excitable) If we go according to this parable a feast is made and there is great rejoicing.

5. How does your own compassion level match your Heavenly Father's compassion towards the lost? What can you do to conform your heart to his? In no ways can we match His compassion towards the lost. We can only rely on Him for help to be transformed according to His pattern and have compassion towards those we come in contact with. Only He can fill us with His love, with wisdom and understanding. Nothing I do in my own strength will suffice.

4. The parable ends with the father urging the elder son to come into the celebration. As you read the characters, how do you think the story turned out? Did the elder son soften and come inside, or did he stiffen and remain outside? Part of me hopes for restoration and that the elder brother recognized what he was saying. That he sees how he was reacting to a father who had been heart-broken previously by a son's rejection and how he himself was driving him to more hear-ache, by not forgiving and embracing his younger brother. My hope would truly be repentance on his side and restoration.