Introduction
Jesus exposes their false religion. The meal is full of pharisees and scribes of the pharisees. Jesus and the ill man have been invited. They normally wouldn’t invite an ill man cause they consider him a sinner. They are trying to trap Jesus to heal him on the sabbath. Jesus exposes that they don’t love God or neighbor.
They are not humble servants of God. They are seeking their own glory. Jesus was the most kind loving man on earth but He would not let them get away with their false religion.
The man who invited Jesus invited the rich because he wanted to get something back from them. Their motive was greed. That’s how false religions and false teachers operate. Greed is the currency of false religion.
“But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.”
Luke 11:39 NASB1995Isaiah 56:11 (NKJV) Yes, [they are] greedy dogs [Which] never have enough. And they [are] shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his [own] territory.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NKJV) 18 [Let them] do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Seek the heavenly reward V14
There is a reward when we act unselfishly. When we serve and give freely without selfish and ulterior motives the Lord blesses us.
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
2 Corinthians 9:9-10 (NKJV) 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have [sown] and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
Malachi 3:8-10 (NKJV) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, [Even] this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you [such] blessing That [there will] not [be room] enough [to receive it.]
The heavenly reward at the resurrection. A promise of salvation. Generosity. The Christian is to give freely.
Don’t live for the influence of men, don’t live for the treasures of this life. Don’t exchange the riches of God for the riches of men. Be rich in Christ. Believe in Him and serve Him freely and generously. When we share food and drink share the Gospel.
Luke 14:12-14 (NKJV) 12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 “But when you give a feast, invite [the] poor, [the] maimed, [the] lame, [the] blind. 14 “And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”