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And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.Luke 16:9

No different than when He commanded us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” here Jesus instructs us to view our earthly resources as “friends,” as missiles to send up-range into the eternal glory that we are headed, aimed toward! This wisdom is what God calls “durable riches” or those which are forever.

“Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.” Proverbs 8:18-19

Using Our Temporal Money, Investing it, for Eternal Rewards

There is no eternal wealth to be had in this fleeting world, other than to use the temporal to fund the eternal. Yet Jesus taught that we can use the temporal to fund, to create wealth in the eternal. Only that done for the eternal glory of Christ will last, will be waiting for our arrival in the eternal.

As we take a peek into this parable of the unjust, shrewd steward, let us ask “Just what was Jesus communicating here?” What was our LORD trying to teach, to impart into us?

And let us remember that a parable is simply an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

The Parable of the Unjust Steward or Parable of the Penitent Steward is a parable of Jesus which appears in Luke 16:1–13. In it, a steward who is about to be fired tries to “curry favor” with his master’s debtors by remitting some of their debts. Fittingly, this teaching of Christ extends to us just after He taught about the prodigal son who took his inheritance wealth and went off and squandered, wasted it. Jesus then segues into telling His disciples the parable of the unjust steward.

This parable is about how to handle money correctly.

Jesus’ Teaching Luke 16:9-13 – Parable of the Unjust, Shrewd Steward

9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail (die, pass away from this temporary earthly life), they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
13  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Of this teaching, one writer notes:

“God appears, and in the sovereignty of His grace turns that which man has abused on the earth into a means of heavenly fruit. The things of this world being in the hands of man, he is not to be using them for the present enjoyment of this world, which is altogether apart from God, but with a view to the future. We are not to seek to possess the things now, but by the right use of these things to make a provision for other times. It is better to turn all into a friend for another day than to have money now.”

In summation of these words of our LORD Jesus above, John Wesley writes:

“And I say to you – Be good stewards even of the lowest talents wherewith God hath intrusted you. Mammon means riches or money. It is termed the mammon of unrighteousness, because of the manner wherein it is commonly either procured or employed. Make yourselves friends of this, by doing all possible good, particularly to the children of God: that when ye fail, when your flesh and your heart faileth, when this earthly tabernacle is dissolved, those of them who have gone before may receive, may welcome you into the everlasting habitations.”

Adam Clarke on Luke 16:9:

“The mammon of unrighteousness – Μαμωνα της αδικιας – literally, the mammon, or riches, of injustice. Riches promise Much, and perform Nothing: they excite hope and confidence, and deceive both: in making a man depend on them for happiness, they rob him of the salvation of God and of eternal glory. For these reasons, they are represented as unjust and deceitful. It is evident that this must be the meaning of the words, because the false or deceitful riches, here, are put in opposition to the true riches, Luk_16:11; i.e. those Divine graces and blessings which promise all good, and give what they promise; never deceiving the expectation of any man. To insinuate that, if a man have acquired riches by unjust means, he is to sanctify them, and provide himself a passport to the kingdom of God, by giving them to the poor, is a most horrid and blasphemous perversion of our Lord’s words. Ill gotten gain must be restored to the proper owners: if they are dead, then to their successors.

“The expression seems to be a mere Hebraism: – they may receive you, for ye shall be received; i.e. God shall admit you, if you make a faithful use of his gifts. He who does not make a faithful use of what he has received from his Maker has no reason to hope for eternal felicity. See Mat_25:33; and, for similar Hebraisms, consult in the original, Luk_6:38; Luk_12:20; Rev_12:6; Rev_16:15.”

Sending it before you…by using your earthly coins to lay up treasure in Heaven, eternal wealth, capital assets that shall never stop giving, is what Christ commanded us to do (Matthew 6:19-24).

The Believer’s Bible Commentary notes the following about this stewardship teaching of Jesus in Luke 16:

“We should make friends for ourselves by means of unrighteous mammon. That is, we should use money and other material things in such a way as to win souls for Christ and thus form friendships that will endure throughout eternity. Pierson stated it clearly:

‘Money can be used to buy Bibles, books, tracts and thus, indirectly, the souls of men. Thus what was material and temporal becomes immortal, becomes non-material, spiritual and eternal. Here is a man who has 100. He may spend it all on a banquet or an evening party, in which case the next day there is nothing to show for it. On the other hand, he invests in Bibles at 1.00 each. It buys a hundred copies of the Word of God. These he judiciously sows as seed of the kingdom, and that seed springs up into a harvest, not of Bibles but of souls. Out of the unrighteous, he has made immortal friends, who when he fails, receive him into everlasting habitations.’

“This then is the teaching of our Lord. By the wise investment of material possessions, we can have part in the eternal blessing of men and women. We can make sure that when we arrive at the gates of heaven, there will be a welcoming committee of those who were saved through our sacrificial giving and prayers. These people will thank us saying, ‘It was you who invited me here.’”

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7

Those who send their wealth forward into eternity, may appear poor on this earth and yet are full of treasure in heaven!

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Jesus taught:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24

Only that done for Christ with the temporal money of this fleeting world carries an “eternal weight of glory.”

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name, asking You to forgive my misuse, my mis-stewarding of the resources You have and are giving me in this temporal life. Please forgive my sin of self-idolatry. LORD I ask You right now to truly be the LORD, the rightful Master of my life from this moment forward. Please grant my heart and mind to be imbued with an eternal perspective. Teach me Your wisdom O God and unite my heart to fear Thy holy Name, as I look eagerly and expectantly for Your soon return Jesus! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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STORE | Support

The Return of Christ

Stewardship

Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]

10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

Where to Give and Where Not to Give

Fruit Abounding to Your Account!

Parable of the Talents [podcast]

Proving Jesus Matters [podcast]

Money, Material Wealth, and Riches

Rusted Gold and Fire Untold [podcast]

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Articles

The Essential of Forgiveness: Are Your Hands Around Someone Else’s Throat? [podcast]


Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

GOD SAW IT ALL – HE SAW ALL YOUR SIN AND YET YOU HOLD UNFORGIVENESS TOWARD ANOTHER. IF you want to be forgiven, you MUST forgive. Do it now (Mark 11:25-26). Begin by admitting aloud to God what He already knows – that you are pure evil and have sinned against Him innumerable times! cry out to Him for mercy and declare aloud that no one needs Jesus more than you do!

“Harboring unforgiveness against someone else is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” unknown

The reason people have a hard time forgiving, is that they’ve not yet been brought to the place in God to realize just how wicked THEY themselves are – and how merciful God was when He sent His only begotten Son to die for them “WHILE we (they) were yet sinners.” (Romans 5:6-8)

Outside of Christ’s righteousness, YOU are utterly wicked and depraved in the eyes of a holy God (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, 7). When this finally sinks down into your heart, you will immediately and freely forgive all you’ve harbored ill will against – in utter forgiveness. This breaking all begins when we repent (Acts 3:19).

The sins that should concern us the most, are our own!

People who don’t forgive simply do not realize just how wicked they themselves are.

God will not forgive the sins of any person who refuses to forgive all others – from their heart (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26, etc.). Unforgiveness is non-negotiably, irrefutably, soul damning sin.

Forgiveness is a Non-Negotiable Essential for having a relationship with the LORD and going to Heaven.

ANYone who doesn’t forgive EVERYone is going to hell irrevocably! Matthew 18:21-35

GOD mercifully forgive each of us, His children, not on our own merit or behalf, but rather on the perfect behalf of Christ Jesus! He now requires us to freely forgive all others as He mercifully forgave us. Non-negotiably saints.

We shall not receive divine mercy unless we freely show it to others (Mark 11:25-26). And anyone who denies this calls the son of God a liar.

Father, please forgive my hardness of heart, my obstinance, my heart rebellion. Please forgive my gross sins and grant this heart to be a heart of flesh dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Unforgiveness is poison to your soul. I see many who think by holding hatred and anger they are hurting the person they are mad at! But it damns their own soul! And will destroy you from the inside out! That is God’s judgment if we choose not to forgive.” Karen Cochran

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant:  A Parable is Simple an Earthly Story with a Heavenly Meaning. Matthew 18:21-35

Mat 18:21  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 
Mat 18:22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 
Mat 18:23  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 
Mat 18:24  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 
Mat 18:25  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 
Mat 18:26  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 
Mat 18:27  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 
Mat 18:28  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 
Mat 18:29  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 
Mat 18:30  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 
Mat 18:31  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 
Mat 18:32  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 
Mat 18:33  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 
Mat 18:34  And his lord was wroth (furious), and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 
Mat 18:35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. 

Forgiving others is essential to answered prayer. It’s a non-negotiable, divinely required condition.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, FORGIVE, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24-26 

Clear it all out…. the past is the past saints … “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

God forgave us in our wickedness, “while we were yet sinners”, on the basis of Christ’s righteousness and in spite of our own evil, sinful state (Romans 5:6-8). Now, as His children, we are non-negotiably commanded to freely forgive all. If we don’t, the Father will not forgive us and if we die that way, we shall perish irrevocably (Mark 11:25-26).

ALL it takes to go the eternal hell is to not forgive just 1 person (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26).

You are not forgiven if you don’t forgive – all, from your heart.

When we realize just how “desperately wicked” WE ourselves are outside of the present saving mercy of God, then will we freely forgive all others (Jeremiah 17:9).

IF THE LORD ISN’T A GOD OF MERCY, WE’RE ALL IN TROUBLE…. SELAH. GIVE OUT MERCY LIKE YOU NEED IT – BECAUSE YOU DO!!!

AS you were shown mercy in your sin, God requires that you show mercy to all others – and if you don’t, you lose His divine mercy. Repent. Acknowledge your own utter wickedness and myriad of sins before God in true repentance, and forgive all – now. Memorize James 2:13 now. 

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

A sure way to bring judgment on ourselves is to judge another while we have sin in our own life (Matthew 7:1-5; James 2:13). Repent now.

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I come to You as a vile sinner in and through the precious blood and name of Jesus Christ. I am guilty of infinite sin before You and here and now express to You my thanksgiving for sending Your only begotten Son to die on that cross for me, for my sin of which I am 100% guilty. There is no good thing in me except You LORD Jesus. I am not good but You are dear LORD. Having been freely forgiven by You LORD, I have no business not forgiving all others. In light of how You’ve mercifully forgiven me, I fully understand that You will damn my soul to eternal hell if I refuse to forgive all others of all offenses. Jesus please rebuke and break me to the core of my being, taking away all hardness of heart and granting to me a heart of flesh. Please fill me with Your love Father, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven with Todd Tomasella and Frank Telford [podcast]Forgiveness | Mercy | The Daily Cross

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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Apostasy

The Blessings of Bible Reading [podcast]


Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

The quickest and surest way to get blessed is to simply read God’s Word. This is so simple that most miss it.

  • Bible reading is the key to learning the things of God (Prov. 22:17-22).
  • Bible Study is paramount to spiritual growth (1 Pet. 2:2).
  • Reading God’s Word etches the image of Christ upon the canvass of the heart (Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46).
  • Bible reading instills the fear of the LORD (Deut. 4:10, 17:19).
  • Bible reading and obedience guarantee answered prayers (John 15:7).
  • The Word gives us God’s direction (Ps 119:105).
  • Bible learning comforts the soul (Rom. 15:4).
  • Reading the Bible enhances one’s intelligence and mind (Ps 119:99-100).
  • Bible reading wards off the enemy (Ps 17:4).
  • Reading the Bible dispels darkness (Ps 119:130).
  • Bible Study clears and cleans the mind and heart (Jn. 15:3).
  • Studying God’s Oracles equips for battle (Eph. 6:17).
  • Bible reading washes the religion out of us (Matt. 15:6,9, 22:29; Eph. 5:26).
  • Studying the Word corrects our faulty thinking (2 Tim. 3:16).
  • Bible reading imparts divine wisdom (2 Tim. 3:15).
  • Pouring over God’s Truth fully equips us to minister divine truth in love (2 Tim. 3:17).
  • Bible reading fills the heart with joy (Jer. 15:16).
  • Reading the Bible increases discernment (Ps 17:4; Heb. 5:11-14).
  • Bible study increases our spiritual strength (Prov. 24:5).
  • Bible study excites and energizes prayer (John 15:7).
  • Bible reading causes a spiritual fire inside the heart of the believer (Jer. 20:9).
  • Bible reading increases faith (Rom. 10:17).
  • Reading the Bible stirs evangelism (Rom. 10:13-17).
  • Bible reading makes one sure of His salvation and more confident in the LORD (Jn 20:31; 1 Jn 5:11-13).
  • Bible reading comforts the heart in times of trouble (Ps 119:50,76,171).
  • Bible learning imparts wisdom to the believer (Ps 19:7).
  • Studying God’s Word builds up the disciple in the faith of Christ (Acts 20:32).
  • Bible reading sanctifies the Christian (Jn 15:3; 17:17; Eph. 5:26).
  • Bible study reveals Christ to the heart of the believing reader (John 5:39).
  • “Wondrous things” are beheld by those who ingest, read God’s Words (Psalms 119:18).

God blesses those who read His Word

“Blessed is he that readeth” Revelation 1:3 

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and READ.” Isaiah 34:16

YES God’s people are to “study” His Word and how else to do such than to begin by “READING” His words? 2 Tim 2:15

“Till I come, give attendance to READING, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:13 

“Bless is he that READETH ….” Revelation 1:3

Years ago I found that if I don’t get up early to read God’s Word and spend quality moments in prayer first and foremost, it will never happen. God must be put first and this requires ruthless discipline.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Reading all of God’s Word is the priority of ever astute follower of Jesus.

There’s no way to learn God’s Word other than reading it yourself (2 Timothy 2:15) God gave you His Word in tangible format in order for you to learn of Him from Him and by Him. Those who leave it to others to teach them God’s Word are self-deceived and will be misled by those they depend on to teach them the Bible.

GOD’S WORD

Saints, in order that some may be encouraged, below, let’s talk about our current personal Bible reading…..

“Presently, I am in 1 Kings, reading all the way through the Bible again, and also reading through Revelation backwards. Personally I like to read several chapters every morning to begin the day and like to include OT, Poetic books, and New Testament chapter readings….. along with pouring over passages like 1 Cor 13; Phil 2:3-5; Col. 3:1-4, 12-14;” Todd

“In 1 Thessalonians reading through the Bible.” Jason

“I am reading Mark.” Michele

“Philippians—Paul’s letter in prison—and joy.” Joe

“I Been Reading James And 1st An 2nd Peter This Week.” Connie

“Working my way through 1 Sam (ch 14 finished now) Psalms 77 and John chapter 4 finished. Trying to read through in 6 months. I enjoy listening (KJB on YouTube) while I read also.” Nathan

“Thank you. Very edifying podcast. I remember getting away from God’s Word. When I came back I was told to read Psalm 119. I spent probably a year in it. And it is impossible not to see the love David had for the Word of God. That began to spill out into my heart! Now I never miss a day. Everyday the Holy Spirit gives me new revelations! And I keep saying ‘Jesus thank You so much for putting the love for You and Your precious Word in the hearts of Your people! We can’t do it. It comes from the Spirit of God.” Karen Cochran

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here |All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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Articles

AI TECHNOLOGY IS WHAT?

By Stacy Strother

AI TECHNOLOGY IS WHAT!?

The Bible doesn’t mention AI by name, but its warnings about deception, control, and false images in the last days speak directly to the dangers technology could bring.

Look at Revelation 13:14-15 (KJB):

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles… saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast… And he had power to give life unto the IMAGE of the beast, that the IMAGE of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the IMAGE of the beast should be killed.”

In the original Greek, “IMAGE” (eikon) means a likeness, simulation, or even an artificial representation. The text says this image is given “breath” (pneuma) so it can speak. Today, that sounds like AI—an artificial system that can “speak” and even influence or control people, becoming something people look to for answers or even authority.

REFUTE THIS PLEASE!

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:24 (KJV):

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall DECEIVE the very elect.”

The Greek for “deceive” (planao) means to lead astray or seduce—exactly what can happen if the masses start trusting an AI system that doesn’t actually know truth, only what’s common or popular.

Almost sounds like cultish celebrity followings, right?

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1, 7 (KJB):

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come… Ever learning, and NEVER ABLE to COME to the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH.”

This describes our world—where knowledge explodes, but discernment and real truth get lost. AI can gather endless information but cannot provide spiritual wisdom, EVEN THOUGH, people will flock to it to get it!

Daniel prophesied in Daniel 12:4 (KJB):

“…Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

The Hebrew word for “knowledge” (da‘ath) means skill and discernment, but today we see more INFORMATION than ever—without the FOUNDATION of truth.

All of these passages warn us: the last days will be MARKED by artificial IMAGES, persuasive DECEPTION, and overwhelming INFORMATION without wisdom.

AI fits right into this picture—a tool that could be used by the “beast system” to control, deceive, and subtly SHIFT doctrine AWAY FROM the truth.

AGAIN—It’s a reminder to walk in the Spirit and test everything by God’s unchanging Word, not by artificial intelligence.

Stay Blessed!
If you are not ready to meet the Lord, please call on Him today and then pray for wisdom and discernment!

Blessings!

Stacy
SWSPUB
@highlight

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here |All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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