Read Luke 17:1-10

JESUS TELLS ABOUT FORGIVENESS AND FAITH
Jesus may have been directing this warning at the religious leaders who taught their converts their hypocritical ways. They were perpetuating an evil system. A person who teaches others has a solemn responsibility.
To rebuke does not mean to point out every sin you see; it means to bring sin to a person’s attention with the purpose of restoring him/her to God and to fellow humans. When you feel you must rebuke another Christian for a sin, check your attitude before you speak. Do you love that person? Are you willing to forgive? Unless rebuke is tied to forgiveness, it will not help the sinning person.
A mustard seed is small, but it is alive and growing. Almost invisible at first, it will begin to spread, first under the ground then visibly. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. Although each change will be gradual and imperceptible, soon this faith will have produced major results that will uproot and destroy competing loyalties. You don’t need more faith; a tiny seed of faith is enough if it is alive and growing.
The disciple’s request was genuine; they wanted the faith necessary for such radical forgiveness. But Jesus didn’t directly answer their question because the amount of faith is not as important as its genuineness. What is faith? It is complete trust and loyalty to God that results in a willingness to do His will. Faith is not something you use to put on a show for others. It is complete and humble obedience to God’s will, readiness to do whatever He calls you to do. The amount of faith isn’t as important as the right kind of faith – faith in our all powerful God.
If you have obeyed God you have done your duty, and you should regard it as a privilege. Do you sometimes feel you deserve extra credit for serving God? Remember, that obedience is not something extra you do; it is your duty. Jesus is not suggesting that your service is meaningless or useless, nor is He advocating doing away with rewards. He is attacking unwarranted self-esteem and spiritual pride.

Read Luke 16:19-31

THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR
This Lazarus should not be confused with the Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead in John, chapter 11.
The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person’s righteousness. Jesus startled them with this story in which a diseased beggar is rewarded and a rich man is punished. The rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he was selfish, refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him. The rich man was hard hearted in spite of his great blessings. The amount of money you have is not as important as the way you use it. What is your attitude toward your money and possessions? Do you hoard them selfishly, or do you use them to help others?
The rich man thought surely his five brothers would believe a messenger who had been raised from the dead. But Jesus said that if they did not believe Moses and the prophets, who spoke constantly of caring for the poor, not even a resurrection would convince them. Even Jesus, Himself, on His way to Jerusalem to die, was fully aware that even when He had risen from the dead, most of the religious leaders would not accept Him. They were set in their ways, and neither Scripture nor God’s Son Himself would shake them loose.

Read Luke 16:1-18

tHE PARABLE OF THE SHREWD MANAGER
Your use of money is a good test of the lordship of Christ. 1) Use your resources wisely because they belong to God, and not to you. 2) Money can be used for good or evil; use yours for good. 3) Money has a lot of power, so you must use it carefully and thoughtfully. 4) You must use your material goods in a way that will foster faith and obedience.
You must make wise use of the financial opportunities you have, not to earn heaven but to help people find Christ. If you use your money to help those in need or to help those in need or to help others find Christ, your earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. When you obey God’s will, the unselfish use of possessions will follow.
Your integrity is often put on the line in money matters. God calls you to be honest even in small details we could easily ignore. Heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if you are not trustworthy with your money here on earth, you will be unfit to handle the vast richness of God’s kingdom. See that you maintain your integrity in all matters, whether big or small.
Money has the power to take God’s place in your life. It can become your master. How can you tell if you are a slave to money? 1) Do you think and worry about it frequently? 2) Do you give up doing what you should do or would like to do in order to make more money? 3) Do you spend a great deal of your time caring for your possessions? 4) Is it hard for you to give money away? 5) Are you in so much debt that you can’t repay?
Money is a hard master and a deceptive one. Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver. Great fortunes can be made and lost over night, and no amount of money can provide health, happiness, or eternal life. How much better is it to let God be your master. His servants have peace of mind and security, both now and forever.

Read Luke 15:11-32

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON
The younger son’s share of the estate would have been one-third, with the older son receiving two-thirds. In most cases he would have received this at his father’s death, although fathers sometimes chose to divide up their inheritance early and retire from managing their estates. What is unusual here is that the younger son initiated the division of the estate. This showed arrogant disregard for his father’s authority as head of the family.
According to the law, pigs were unclean animals. This meant pigs could not be eaten or used for sacrifices. To protect themselves from defilement, Jews would not even touch pigs. For a Jew to stoop to feeding pigs was a great humiliation, and for this young man to eat food that the pigs had touched was to be degraded beyond belief. The younger son had truly sunk to the deepest depths.
The younger son, like many who are rebellious and immature, wanted to be free and live as he pleased, and he had to hit bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the only one that can help them – Jesus. Are you trying to live life your own way, selfishly pushing aside any responsibility or commitment that gets in your way? Stop and look before you hit bottom. You will save yourself and your family much grief.
In this story, the father watched and waited. He was dealing with a human being with a will of his own, but he was ready to greet his son if he returned. In the same way, God’s love is constant, patient, and welcoming. He will search for you and give you opportunities to respond, but He will not force you to come to Him. Like the father in this story, God waits patiently for you to come to your senses.
The son left his father out of selfishness. God’s great love reaches out and finds sinners no matter why or how they got lost.

Read Luke 15:8-10

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN