Luke 16:1-8

He 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. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

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The statement that the steward wasted his master’s goods means that Christians are using the life and wealth entrusted to them by God for their own self-boasting and worldly pleasures.

The master ending the steward’s management signifies that God takes away a person’s life. Even if it seems like a person still has a normal lifespan remaining, there are times when death draws near suddenly due to illness or accidents. This is a warning from the Lord that the end of that person’s life is near, meaning they must prepare for the world after death.

The purpose for which God created the world and human beings is to fulfill the kingdom and righteousness of God. However, many people misuse the life and property they received from God. Such people no longer have a value to exist in the world because they live contrary to God’s purpose. Just as an unfruitful vine branch is cut off, those who disobey God’s will and live without bearing fruit will be discarded.

However, the unjust steward realized his situation, even if it was late. He knew that what was entrusted to him was not his own forever. In the same way, human beings must acknowledge that the life and property given to them do not belong to themselves but belong to God.

If you have lived stingily until now, you must change from now on into a life of giving to others. You must abandon a life of fiercely pursuing only your own benefit and transform into a person who yields what is yours to be at peace with others.

The Lord commends those who realize this and turn back. And when that person leaves this world, the Lord guides them into heaven.

Luke 16:9-13

“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 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.”

Regarding God’s things as one’s own is an unrighteous thought. However, every person’s heart inherently remains at this level. That is why the Lord expressed the wealth of this world as “unrighteous mammon.”

Everything a person possesses is not their own from the beginning. Life belongs to God, wealth belongs to God, and time and talents also belong to God. Therefore, a human being is merely a steward entrusted with God’s things.

The Lord said that He would entrust true riches to those who are faithful in what belongs to another. Here, what belongs to another means God’s things. God gives true possession, namely heaven, to those who are faithful in God’s things.

Just as a servant cannot serve two masters, a Christian cannot serve both God and wealth. If you love wealth, you will lose God, but if you love God, you will use wealth according to God’s will.

Therefore, we must not use wealth for our own greed and worldly pleasures, but use it for the kingdom and righteousness of God. Furthermore, we must use it to serve neighbors, forgive, give, and achieve harmony.

This is the Lord’s will to make friends by unrighteous mammon. Worldly wealth disappears after a short while, but the fruit of using that wealth according to God’s will will be rewarded in the eternal dwelling place.

Romans 16:25-27

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

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God’s gospel is not a word that appeared suddenly. It was hidden within God’s will before the creation of the world, and it is the word of salvation manifested to the whole world through Jesus Christ when the time came. From the beginning, God did not abandon humans who fell into sin but prepared the way of salvation. Genesis 3:15 states that the seed of the woman will bruise the serpent’s head, which is a promise foreshowing that Jesus Christ would break the authority of Satan in the future.

The prophets also witnessed this gospel in advance. Isaiah 53:5 states, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.” Humans cannot resolve sin by themselves. No matter how much religious life they live or how many good deeds they do, the wages of sin is death. Therefore, God Himself came to this earth clothed in flesh. John 1:14 states, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus Christ is not a mere prophet, but God Himself who came to save us.

The first word Jesus preached was repentance. Matthew 4:17 states, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Therefore, the gospel is not merely knowledge confessed with the mouth. The gospel is the way of life where a sinner realizes their sin, repents, receives the washing of sin by the blood of Jesus, and from then on obeys the word of God. Acts 2:38 also states, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Faith must surely manifest as obedience. James 2:17 states, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Jesus also said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Going to heaven is not achieved just by calling out, “Lord, Lord.” Matthew 7:21 clearly states, “He who does the will of My Father in heaven” shall enter.

The purpose for which God made the gospel known to all nations is to make people believe and obey. The gospel does not belong to the Jews alone, nor does it belong only to a specific denomination or nation. Revelation 14:6 states that the “everlasting gospel” is preached to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. Therefore, today we must also preach this gospel to the whole world. We must preach to receive the remission of sins through the blood of Jesus, repent daily, obey the word, and bear the fruits of loving God and loving neighbors.

The ultimate purpose of the gospel is God’s glory. Philippians 2:10-11 states that every knee should bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The mystery that was hidden has now been clearly revealed. Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life. Those who believe and obey this gospel will stand firm, and those who repent and obey to the end will enter heaven. Glory belongs forever and ever only to the wise God alone.

1 Corinthians 1:3-8

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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God created the heavens, the earth, and all things, and He supplies us with life and everything we need. Furthermore, He forgave our sins through the death and precious blood of Jesus Christ. This is the grace of God.

Therefore, we must always strive so that our lives, words, and actions are fitting for the Lord’s will. Also, we must repent of our shortcomings and sins every day. This is the knowledge of salvation and the right faith taught to us by the Bible.

However, humans do not have the ability to perfectly carry out God’s will by their own strength. The Holy Spirit must help us so that we can obey the Lord’s words. When we rely on the Holy Spirit and strive to practice the Lord’s will, the Lord pours out the necessary gifts and power upon us. Thus, He enables us to handle God’s work.

However, Satan and the demons always oppose God’s will. They deceive saints to make them disobey the Lord’s words and prevent them from repenting even after sinning, so that they cannot enter heaven.

Therefore, we must always stay awake so as not to fall into the sins of the world. Yet, there are times when we sin because we are weak. Every time that happens, we must repent immediately. If we conceal or excuse our sins, the Holy Spirit cannot accompany us.

If a Christian sins and does not repent, they will eventually degenerate into a servant of Satan. The human doctrine asserting that “since one has confessed Jesus as Savior once, a life of obedience and repentance is no longer necessary” is not the knowledge of salvation. It is the knowledge of Satan that deceives God’s people and leads them to destruction.

We must always prepare ourselves so that whenever the Lord comes back, we can enter heaven as those who are blameless. The Holy Spirit helps those who strive to obey the Lord’s words with the power of creation.

However, when we sin because we are weak, we must surely repent. Then, the blood of Jesus cleanses us again. This is God’s unchanging love, abundant grace, and infinite power of salvation.

Therefore, we must discard all human doctrines and knowledge that do not align with the words of the Bible. We must hold onto only the word of God and follow the Lord to the end through repentance and obedience.

1 Corinthians 1:9-14

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

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The only one who cleansed sinful human beings with the blood of Jesus and enabled them to receive God’s salvation and love is the Lord. Should Christians, who gained life again through the death of Jesus, dispute with one another?

Therefore, you must be at peace with one another and ensure there are no contentions. Contentions disappear when we live according to the words of Jesus. We must forgive one another, discard selfishness and pride, and achieve humility and goodness. At that time, harmony is achieved, and resentment, complaints, and strife disappear.

Whenever a feeling of grievance arises, we must think of the sacrifice of Jesus who saved us. God poured out life and grace to us abundantly and commanded a life of love. However, humans disobeyed the Lord’s will and went down the path of destruction.

When the Lord came into the world clothed in flesh to save mankind, people hated listening to Jesus’ words. Rather, they crucified Him to death. However, Jesus shed His blood through that death, and with that blood, He remitted the sins of humanity.

Humans betrayed the Lord boundlessly, yet the Lord forgave and loved us boundlessly. When we remember this boundless forgiveness and longsuffering of the Lord, we can forgive one another and endure even when we face unfair things.

Contentions arise when the hearts of Christians narrow. Even inside the Corinthian church, an absurd problem arose. One person said, “I belong to Paul,” another said, “I belong to Apollos,” and yet another said, “I belong to Cephas.”

However, it is not important by whom you were baptized. This is because the Savior is only one, Jesus Christ. Obeying Jesus’ words is the core of salvation. The blood of Jesus washes away everyone’s sins. No other conditions are needed besides repentance and obedience.

Today, there are many factions within the church as well. Even within the same church, people follow certain pastors and elders while ignoring others. Even within large churches, they form groups and show animosity and dispute with each other. However, this is not following the words of Christ. Dividing into factions within a church is going down the path of destruction.

All the words of the Scripture are God’s will and are connected to each other. However, the attitude of excessively liking certain Bible verses while disliking other Bible verses is not right faith. The word of God is not something to be picked and believed according to human taste. All words must be accepted as God’s will and obeyed.

God the Creator is eternally one. The one God worked in various ways to save souls. The Old Testament is the word promising that God would come to the world clothed in human flesh. The New Testament is the truth that God came clothed in human flesh and spoke to us directly.

Therefore, we must not divide God into two or three. The Savior is only one, and He is the Lord Jesus Christ who died by shedding His blood for us and rose again.

1 Corinthians 1:17-20

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

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Paul preaching the gospel was not for the purpose of baptizing. A person is not saved through some religious ritual. Being baptized with water and eating the bread and wine at Holy Communion does not mean one is saved.

Whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the unique Savior and repents of their sins will be forgiven of all sins and reach salvation. And they must keep this faith until the end.

However, those who are perishing do not believe this truth. They consider the unique way of salvation foolish and do not live a life of repentance and obedience.

God’s power of salvation comes upon those who believe in Jesus and repent. All humans are sinners. The power to wash away sin lies only in the blood of Jesus. When we repent and obey, the blood of Jesus cleanses us and makes us people of heaven.

The master of heaven is Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must follow Jesus’ words to enter heaven. Aside from this way, philosophies and teachings created by humans are all futile.

Everyone must return to the words of the Lord. The Lord is waiting for a long time to save everyone. However, there are many who do not turn back until the end. Such people will eventually perish.

Where is human prudence? False human doctrines and theories will all be brought to nothing. Theologians and pastors who do not follow the Lord’s truth have already left the path of salvation.

God will bring to nothing all knowledge, wisdom, and prudence of humans on the last day. Therefore, one must discard human doctrines, theories, and teachings that lead their life to destruction. One must obey only the word of Jesus Christ who gives eternal salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:21-25

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

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God cannot be known through human wisdom. Therefore, God makes the way of salvation known to people through preaching.

What is preaching? It is conveying the fact that Jesus Christ is the unique Savior, and that whoever believes in Jesus, repents of their sins, and obeys the Lord’s words is saved.

What the Old Testament and the New Testament witness together and conclude is Jesus Christ alone. The unique God created humanity, the heavens, the earth, and all things, and gave the words that humans must keep. However, humans disobeyed God’s will and fell into sin, going down the path of destruction.

So the Lord came to this world clothed in a human body and died on the cross. The Creator God who came into the world clothed in a human body is precisely Jesus Christ.

The blood of Jesus redeemed all sins of humanity. Therefore, whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the unique Savior and confesses Him with their mouth is redeemed from sin and becomes God’s person. This is the gospel. And proclaiming this gospel is preaching.

However, responsibilities surely follow those who have received the remission of sins and become God’s people. That responsibility is to love God and love neighbors. The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that were in the Garden of Eden were the standards revealing whether Adam and Eve truly loved and obeyed God. However, they disobeyed God’s word.

It is the same today. Everyone who has received Jesus as Savior holds the responsibility to love God and neighbors. This is because God is love.

The purpose for which God created humans is to bear the fruit of love and give glory to God. However, fallen humans cannot realize God’s will by themselves. That is why God makes people aware of God’s existence and understand God’s will through preaching.

Titus 2:14 states: “who gave Himself for us, that He might... purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Jesus giving Himself instead of us was not merely to forgive sins. It was to purify us and make us God’s own people who strive for good works.

Exodus 19:5-6 also states: “for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

God’s people are those who listen well to God’s words and keep His covenant. They must prove being God’s people through a life of obeying God’s words, rather than just saying they are God’s people with their mouth.

Jesus also said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Also, in John 15:10, He spoke like this: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.”

Loving Jesus is not just confessing it with words. It is keeping Jesus’ commandments and abiding within the Lord’s words.

John 3:36 states it even more clearly: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Believing in Jesus Christ must eventually be proven by the fruit of loving God and loving neighbors. Faith begins with the confession of the lips, but that faith must appear as the fruits of obedience, repentance, and love.

Of course, we are weak. That is why we must repent daily. Through repentance, we are forgiven of our shortcomings and return to the path of obeying God’s words again.

This kind of life is the life of true faith. This kind of life is the life of one who received the gospel. And through this kind of life, we truly become those who proclaim Jesus Christ.