Luke 16:14-15

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.  And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Luke 16:14-15

We are told here in verse 14 that the Pharisees derided Jesus. In the Greek, it means to “turn up one’s nose.”  The thing is even though the Pharisees followed the strictest of religious practices, it didn’t change their hearts, because they loved money.  They professed to trust in God, but they measured life by wealth and possessions.  Kind of like the world we live in today!

I think we all can sometimes get caught up in the material things of this world.  And when I am more concerned about reviewing my portfolio than studying God’s word, or when I am more concerned about myself and how I look before others, rather than looking for people to share with; that is the worldly way.  

Jesus says here in verse 15, that ”what is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination to God.”   Wow!  That ought to catch our attention. The things that the world thinks are sooooo important, God thinks are an abomination.

So, what is important to you these days?  It’s a good thing to ask yourself sometimes.  Are you preoccupied with money, things, and stuff?  Or are you preoccupied with God?

Keeping my eyes on Jesus,

Pastor Rich Kikuchi