What Jesus Did! 'What this World Honors' — Luke 16:14-15

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all [of Jesus' teaching] and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God."
— Luke 16:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

Who switched the price tags? Our world values things very differently than God does. The Pharisees loved their money, and they tried to look righteous in public. They were honored for their apparent religious dedication by many with a worldly perspective. After all, they were outwardly religious and blessed. God, however, knew that much of their wealth came from a covetous and greedy heart - their wealth was an abomination instead of being a blessing! They scoffed at Jesus' words - not because they were wrong, but because those words were right and their hearts were not. How about us? What do we dearly love? How are our hearts?

Today's Prayer

Father, I pray for a wise mind, an open heart, and a generous spirit as I use the financial blessings you have placed in my care. Guard me against greed, materialism, and covetousness. Help me see the way you want me to use my blessings for your Kingdom's work. Dear Father, please let nothing have a hold on my life other than my love for you and your Son, your Kingdom, and your righteousness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Managing Your Assets with Spiritual Wisdom
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Over the ages, people have freely talked with each other about almost everything, except how they spend their money. Once the talk..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 16:14-15 NLT — "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, September 23, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spirit-Warned' (Ac. 21:4)
"[Paul and his traveling companions] looked up the local disciples [in Tyre] and stayed with them seven days. Their message to Paul, from insight given by the..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Acts 2:4
"Rich were the blessings of this day if all of us were filled with the Holy Ghost. The consequences of this sacred filling of the soul it would be..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Charles Swindoll:
"Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. ..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Ephesians 5:25-26
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!