Ques. 65. What does Luke 16:9 mean? Are we to make friends of the world? Can they give us anything? Are their habitations everlasting? T. H.
Ans. The new translation reads the text, "And I say to you, make to yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, that when it fails ye may be received into the eternal habitations.”
We (Christians) are to consider ourselves stewards of all that the Lord has entrusted to us. If we use selfishly what we have, our possessions and natural talents will be a hindrance to us spiritually. If we remember we are stewards and use our money for the Lord, this is making friends with it. "When it fails" reminds us that we are here for a short term, then we will need to give account. (2 Cor. 5:10.) We are going on to eternal habitations with the Lord. If we are faithful now, we will profit then; and profit now also, for we lay hold of what is really life.
Read prayerfully 1 Tim. 6:17-19.
See last page of Vol. I, YOUNG CHRISTIAN, for fuller explanation.
Ques. 66
In what character is the Lord Jesus presented for us in Heb. 2:10 and 5:9? Does this differ from Heb. 2:18 and 4:15? L. S.
Ans. In Heb. 2:10, the Lord is "Leader" of the redeemed company. In Heb. 5:9, he is the cause or means of salvation to those who obey Him. In Heb. 2:18 and Heb. 4:15, He is the Priest to sustain those who are in the way. In Heb. 12:2, He is the "Leader and Completer"-the "Originator".
Ones. 67
What does "Let the dead bury their dead" mean? E. M. G.
Ans. Read Matt. 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62. The claims of Christ over the believer come before every other claim. The man who said, “Suffer me first to go and bury my father", was putting the claims of natural relationships first, so the Lord answered, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead." Men acting according to natural claims are here looked at as dead. If they are guided by earthly relationships, their fathers will be dead and buried before they are free to follow the Lord.
The Christian in the Epistles of Ephesians and Colossians is plainly seen as dead, buried, risen, and united to Christ in resurrection life. In this new position he receives instructions from the Lord how to carry out every relationship. Wives and husbands, children and parents, servants and masters, all are to own Christ first, and all we do is to be done in obedience to Him. His claims are supreme.