The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. (Luke 16:16–17) The Pharisees scoffed at Jesus’ statement that a person can’t serve both God and money. (See quoted above. He highlighted the Pharisees’ efforts to dilute God’s Word so it wouldn’t challenge their own bad theology. The Pharisees created 30 additional books called the Talmud as a basis for interpreting Jewish religious law. Among other things, the Talmud said a man could divorce his wife if she overcooked his meal or put too much salt in the soup. Jesus referred to the scriptural view of marriage to show that God’s Word will not change. Many men today create their own version of biblical teachings that are easier to swallow and fit in better with our culture. We all need to step back and ask the Holy Spirit to challenge our assumptions 29 Wednesday—November 1•Creating Our Own Theology Luke 16:13.) In response, Jesus confronted their love of money and then gave the statement so that we can build on the solid foundation of God’s revealed truth. WEEK Week 4 Prayerfully consider any specific areas where you’ve created a theology to support your own desires, rather than submitting to what the Bible really says. Share your thoughts with other men in your group. Daily Reading: Ezekiel 1:1–3:15, Hebrews 3:1–19, Psalm 104:1–23, Proverbs 26:24–26 Thursday—November 2•The Rich Man and Lazarus There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. (Luke 16:19–21) Jesus’ story about a rich man and a beggar is the only parable where Jesus actually named a character. It’s interesting that He didn’t name the wealthy person who was powerful by earthly standards. Instead, Jesus identified the poor panhandler, calling him Lazarus. If you finish the story, you’ll find that both men died, and Abraham welcomed Lazarus into a good place, while the wealthy man went to a place of torment. Was this because God’s judgment automatically rests on those who have money? No. Abraham himself (along with many other people described in Scripture) was extremely wealthy, and God did not judge him for having money. God looks on the heart, not the financial situation. God doesn’t condemn rich or poor men to hell. Rather, men condemn themselves by their attempt at self-justification. Sometimes that is revealed when they value possessions more than people. In America, with almost all of us being incredibly affluent by historical standards, this is a very real danger. All men, both rich and poor, need to find righteousness through faith in Jesus. WEEK Week 4 Have you ever valued possessions or things more than people? What was that like? Ask another man about his experience in this area. Daily Reading: Ezekiel 3:16–6:14, Hebrews 4:1–16, Psalm 104:24–35, Proverbs 26:27
20514 Man in Mirror
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