Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths Luke 16: 1 - 12, 19 - 31; 18: 1 - 14

The Parable of the Unjust Steward
Luke 16:1–12

Through the Parable of the Unjust Steward, I feel that the major principle that the Lord is teaching is to properly use the things that we are given in the world. I think that He is trying to teach us to be prudent which means carefully managing resources so as to provide for the future or having good sense in dealing with practical matters. We must use the resources that we are given on earth wisely to prepare us for the future. In an Ensign talk, Elder Tsung-Ting Yang shared the meaning of this parable in his own life “It reminds me of principles that continue to blee me and my family. I am thankful that the Lord’s parables not only contain great spiritual concepts but also provide very practical advice for achieving financial success within the teachings of His glorious gospel”.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19–31

Through the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we are taught the importance of not being covetous in our lives. We learn that it is not our wealth, profession, power, or possessions that define us. The rich man in this parable was a man that was “clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:” (Luke 16:19), but that didn’t matter after he died. We are judged righteously according to our works, not according to the superficial things that we obtain on earth.

The Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11–19

Through the Parable of the Ten Lepers, I think that the principle that we must remember is gratitude. I have heard a joke many times that reminds me of this, a man was in a hurry heading to work where everything had gone wrong that morning; he woke up late, he couldn’t find his keys, he got stuck in traffic. As he arrived to work, he found that all of the parking places were taken, but he needed to quickly get in for a meeting. He circled the parking lot as he prayed that a spot would open up, right as a parking space right up front next to the entrance opened up, he said to the Lord, never mind, I found one. This parable reminds me that we need to be grateful in every aspect of our lives, not only at our times of need, but also in the times that we are blessed or overcoming a trial. We need to remember the Lord’s hand in all things at all times.

The Parable of the Unjust Judge
Luke 18:1–8

Through the Parable of the Unjust Judge, we learn “always to pray, and not to faint”. In this parable, a woman continually seeks the help of a wicked judge who continually denies her; the determination of the woman finally persuades the judge to grant her request. It is important to remember that Heavenly Father wants to bless us, but more importantly, he wants us to come to Him. We must come to him in constant prayer and not faint. When it is the hardest to stand, we must kneel; it is through the Lord that we will find rest as we face our trials and tribulations.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
Luke 18:9–14

Through the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, we learn the importance of being humble. In Ether 12:27, we learn “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them”. We learn through this parable and this scripture in the Book of Mormon that we are given weaknesses that we may become stronger through them as we humble ourselves. We must remember the Lords hand in our lives as we overcome weaknesses. We also have to be willing to recognize our weakness and realize that it is only through the power of the Lord that we may overcome them.

Becoming a Disciple of Christ Luke 10 - 14

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

“A disciple of Christ is one who is learning to be like Chirst-learning to think, to feel, and to act as he does. To be a true disciple, to fulfill that learning task, is the most demanding regimen known to man.” Dr. Chauncey Riddle, a professor of philosophy and dean of the Graduate School, shared what a disciple is. In Luke 10 – 14, we learn more of what is required of us to become a disciple of Christ. We can find the following attributes throughout Luke 10 - 14 as we strive to become a disciple of Christ.

Prayerful ~ 11:1
Trusting ~ 11:2
Submissive ~ 11:2
Repentant ~ 11:4
Charitable ~ 11:8
Friendly ~ 11:8
Not Covetousness ~ 12:15
Modest ~ 12:21
Healthy ~ 12:23
Confident ~ 12:22
Faithful ~ 12:28
Not doubting ~ 12:29
Seek the Kingdom of God ~ 12:31
Fearless ~ 12:32
Serve ~ 12:37
Watchful ~ 12:37
Diligent ~ 13:24
Striving to enter the Kingdom of God ~ 13:24
Duty to God ~ 14:26
Loving ~ 14:26
Committed ~ 14:28
Dedication ~ 14:28
Obedience ~ 14:28

In Luke 14:28, the Lord uses the phrase “counteth the cost” in referring to discipleship. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” When I read these verses, I didn’t understand the phrase “counteth the cost”, but after reading it over and over, I have come to my own conclusion regarding this phrase. When we are preparing to make an investment or make a big purchase, you figure out how much it will cost you to make that purchase. You may cut coupons, you may prepare by comparing prices at many different stores, and you may also time it perfectly so that you will catch the best sale. In becoming a disciple of Christ, you must choose to be a disciple of Christ, no matter the cost. There will be many obstacles in the way of becoming a disciple of Christ, but you must always strive to be a disciple.

In Luke 12:29, it says “…neither be ye of doubtful mind.” I would like to work on my discipleship by being less doubtful. It is so easy to doubt yourself, those around you and sometimes even the Lord. As I have made decisions, I continually second guess the decision that I have made even if I have received confirmation of my choice through prayer, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost. Doubting in my life creates so many worries that are not necessary. There is a quote that I have written and taped to my wall that says “Most of the things you worry about will NEVER happen”. It’s true, we are all filled with worries and doubts that consume our thoughts, but as we trust in the Lord and have faith in the Lord and faith in our ability to receive personal revelation, then I know that we will indeed be blessed with peace in our lives. The turmoil that doubt brings to our lives will be replaced by the feeling of peace as we strive to remove doubt from our minds. Mormon 9:27 says “O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.” I would love to doubt not, and be believing as it says in Mormon 9:27.

Through the scriptures in Luke 10 – 14 and the additional scriptures in Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; and Matthew 13:44–46, we learn what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Christ. Omni 1:26 says “come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved”. To become a disciple of Christ, we must be willing to give all that we have and all that we are to the Lord.

Avoiding Sin and Remaining Free Matthew 18:6–9 and John 8:32–34.

In Matthew 18:6-9, Jesus teaches about offenses using symbolism. We first see his use of the hand, foot, and the eye in verses 8 – 9, “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hand or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.” In these verses, the hand, foot, and the eye symbolize friends, and family.
Jesus teaches that if we have a friend or a family member that offends us then we must “cut them off, and cast them from thee”. Throughout life there are many people that may offend you, but it is you that will decide how you will respond to that offense. You can indeed take offense walking through life with a chip on your shoulder or as the Savior says in verse 6 “it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
If you let it, an offensive comment or action can take over your life eventually drowning you in the misery of that offense or engulfing you in “everlasting fire”. If we take heed to what the Savior says in Matthew 18, we can get rid of the offense in our lives. The Savior says in verse 8 “it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.”
An offensive comment may hurt for a moment, but we can choose to move past it and become stronger in the process. In Mark 9:46, we learn that those that are offended are fighting a fight that they will never win or in the words of the Savior it is a “fire that never shall be quenched”.
In John 8:32, it says “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”. The Word of Wisdom is a law of health that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints actively live. The Word of Wisdom exhorts us to refrain from the following substances; coffee and tea, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and any other addictive and harmful substances.
We have been given this law as a law of health so that our bodies both physically and spiritually may be healthy. In the world, coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, and even illegal drugs can be a way of life for many people. Their morning ritual includes their daily cup of coffee to get them started and they may have a glass of alcohol with their dinner or socializing with their friends. Many studies have been performed regarding specifically alcohol and coffee that they will benefit your well-being if you partake of them regularly. We are taught to abstain from these substances, yet, we continually hear of the benefits of having them just once in a while.
In John 14:6, it says “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. We are taught in this verse that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The Word of Wisdom is a law that was given by the Lord for our physical and spiritually well-being. Man will and has come to try to oppose that, but we know that because it comes from the Lord, it is the truth.
It is so hard to choose the right when we are constantly faced with opposing views, but as we hold fast to the scripture in John 14:6, we can know which path is right because we know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. We can turn to the Lord in making decisions through prayer, fasting, scriptures, and many other resources and I know that we will be blessed to know which way is the Lord would have us go. We will truly be blessed with freedom knowing that as we strive to follow Christ then we will always have the way and the truth a part of our lives.