Luke 16:1-17:10 | John 11:1-54

Jesus tells the story of the unrighteous steward, or business manager, who is going to get fired for wasting his master’s resources.  Before he is fired, he goes to those who owe his master rents, and negotiates better terms for them, so as to set himself up favorably with them after he is out of a job.  Jesus uses this story to make a point, which is for us to use the resources of this world to prepare for our future in eternity, which echoes what He said elsewhere - “store up for yourselves riches in heaven”.  The Pharisees ridiculed Jesus for this story, because they loved money, but Jesus told them anything they regard as important is an abomination before God.  He tells them the story of Lazarus and the rich man, who regrets his poor decisions in life, but Abraham tells him that even if someone came back from the dead to warn the man’s family, they still wouldn’t believe.  This was demonstrated when another Lazarus was raised from the dead, and when Jesus was raised - unbelievers persisted in not believing.

In response to a request from the disciples to increase their faith, Jesus tells them a story about the proper role of servants, and how servants should have no personal expectations, other than to serve the master.  With this attitude, servants also have no concerns, as the master will be responsible for everything they need.

Jesus raises their friend Lazarus from the dead after being in the grave for 4 days.  He could have healed Lazarus before he died, but God received far greater glory in the way He chose to respond in that situation.  Of course, the Pharisees hated seeing him alive, and plotted to kill him because he was a living demonstration of the power of Jesus Christ.