And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
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.
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.
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
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.
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Luke 16 is a pivotal chapter, nestled within a larger section (Luke 16:1–17:10) that delves into the practical implications of living in the kingdom of God. Following Jesus' teachings on lost things in Luke 15 – the lost sheep, coin, and son – this chapter focuses on how believers should navigate the complexities of worldly wealth and faithfulness. It begins and ends with parables and addresses the disciples and the Pharisees, highlighting contrasting approaches to faith and obedience. This chapter serves as a potent reminder that our earthly choices have eternal consequences, and our attitude toward money profoundly reveals our true allegiance.
The Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-9)
Jesus begins with a rather perplexing parable: a dishonest manager is about to be fired for squandering his master's possessions. Facing unemployment, he shrewdly reduces the debts of his master's debtors, hoping to secure future favor. The master, surprisingly, commends the manager's cleverness.
It's crucial to understand that Jesus isn't praising the manager's dishonesty. Instead, He uses this story to illustrate a vital principle: "The children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light" (Luke 16:8). Unbelievers often display more cunning and resourcefulness in pursuing worldly goals than believers do in pursuing eternal ones.
The lesson for disciples is clear: "Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings" (Luke 16:9). This isn't an endorsement of shady dealings, but a call to use worldly wealth strategically for kingdom purposes. Since earthly riches are temporary, we should invest them in ways that yield eternal rewards, such as supporting ministry, helping the poor, and spreading the gospel. By using our resources wisely and generously, we can impact lives for eternity and be welcomed into eternal dwellings by those whose lives were transformed by our stewardship.
Faithfulness and True Wealth (Luke 16:10-13)
Jesus follows the parable with a series of profound statements about faithfulness and the nature of true wealth. He emphasizes that faithfulness in small things is a prerequisite for faithfulness in larger responsibilities: "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much" (Luke 16:10). If we cannot be trusted with earthly wealth, how can we be entrusted with true, eternal riches?
This principle extends beyond finances. It speaks to the importance of integrity and dependability in all areas of life. If we are unreliable in small commitments, we are unlikely to be reliable in significant ones.
Jesus then delivers a stark warning: "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13). This isn't merely about avoiding greed, but about recognizing that our hearts can only be truly devoted to one master. Money, with its allure of security and power, constantly vies for our allegiance. We must consciously choose to serve God, allowing our finances to be a tool for His purposes, rather than allowing money to dictate our priorities and values.
The Pharisees' Rejection (Luke 16:14-18)
The Pharisees, known for their love of money, scoffed at Jesus' teachings (Luke 16:14). They prided themselves on their adherence to the Law, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus rebukes their hypocrisy, stating, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).
The Pharisees were more concerned with outward appearances and the approval of others than with genuine righteousness. They used their wealth to create a facade of piety, but God saw their true motives. This serves as a warning against self-deception and the pursuit of worldly recognition over God's approval.
Jesus then affirms the enduring authority of God's Law, stating that "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void" (Luke 16:17). He uses the example of marriage to illustrate this point, condemning divorce and remarriage (without biblical justification) as adultery (Luke 16:18). This highlights the Pharisees' selective adherence to the Law, as they often twisted its interpretations to suit their own desires.
The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
To further illustrate the dangers of misplaced priorities and the eternal consequences of our choices, Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus, a poor beggar covered in sores, lay at his gate, longing for scraps from his table.
Both men eventually die. Lazarus is carried by angels to "Abraham's bosom," a place of comfort and honor, while the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades (Luke 16:22-23). The afterlife brings a complete reversal of their earthly fortunes.
The rich man, suffering in agony, pleads for mercy and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers, lest they end up in the same place of torment (Luke 16:27-28). Abraham responds that they have "Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them" (Luke 16:29). The rich man insists that a resurrection from the dead would be more persuasive, but Abraham concludes, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31).
This powerful story underscores several crucial points:
- Earthly wealth is fleeting and ultimately meaningless in eternity. The rich man's riches provided no comfort in the afterlife.
- Our choices in this life have eternal consequences. The rich man's neglect of Lazarus and his focus on worldly pleasures led to his torment.
- God's Word is sufficient for salvation. The rich man's brothers had access to the Scriptures, but their hearts were hardened.
- Miracles alone cannot produce genuine faith. Even a resurrection would not convince those who reject God's Word.
The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a stark reminder that death comes for all, and that our eternal destiny hinges on our response to God's Word and our treatment of others in this life. It highlights the vital importance of the church's mission to share the gospel and win people to faith in Christ, because at the grave, it will be too late. Live your life and use your resources with eternity in mind.
Luke 16 challenges us to examine our hearts, our priorities, and our use of wealth. It calls us to be faithful stewards, to invest in eternal riches, and to heed God's Word above all else. By embracing these principles, we can live lives that are pleasing to God and secure a place in His eternal kingdom.
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
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.
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.
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
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.
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Luke 16 is a pivotal chapter, nestled within a larger section (Luke 16:1–17:10) that delves into the practical implications of living in the kingdom of God. Following Jesus' teachings on lost things in Luke 15 – the lost sheep, coin, and son – this chapter focuses on how believers should navigate the complexities of worldly wealth and faithfulness. It begins and ends with parables and addresses the disciples and the Pharisees, highlighting contrasting approaches to faith and obedience. This chapter serves as a potent reminder that our earthly choices have eternal consequences, and our attitude toward money profoundly reveals our true allegiance.
The Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-9)
Jesus begins with a rather perplexing parable: a dishonest manager is about to be fired for squandering his master's possessions. Facing unemployment, he shrewdly reduces the debts of his master's debtors, hoping to secure future favor. The master, surprisingly, commends the manager's cleverness.
It's crucial to understand that Jesus isn't praising the manager's dishonesty. Instead, He uses this story to illustrate a vital principle: "The children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light" (Luke 16:8). Unbelievers often display more cunning and resourcefulness in pursuing worldly goals than believers do in pursuing eternal ones.
The lesson for disciples is clear: "Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings" (Luke 16:9). This isn't an endorsement of shady dealings, but a call to use worldly wealth strategically for kingdom purposes. Since earthly riches are temporary, we should invest them in ways that yield eternal rewards, such as supporting ministry, helping the poor, and spreading the gospel. By using our resources wisely and generously, we can impact lives for eternity and be welcomed into eternal dwellings by those whose lives were transformed by our stewardship.
Faithfulness and True Wealth (Luke 16:10-13)
Jesus follows the parable with a series of profound statements about faithfulness and the nature of true wealth. He emphasizes that faithfulness in small things is a prerequisite for faithfulness in larger responsibilities: "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much" (Luke 16:10). If we cannot be trusted with earthly wealth, how can we be entrusted with true, eternal riches?
This principle extends beyond finances. It speaks to the importance of integrity and dependability in all areas of life. If we are unreliable in small commitments, we are unlikely to be reliable in significant ones.
Jesus then delivers a stark warning: "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13). This isn't merely about avoiding greed, but about recognizing that our hearts can only be truly devoted to one master. Money, with its allure of security and power, constantly vies for our allegiance. We must consciously choose to serve God, allowing our finances to be a tool for His purposes, rather than allowing money to dictate our priorities and values.
The Pharisees' Rejection (Luke 16:14-18)
The Pharisees, known for their love of money, scoffed at Jesus' teachings (Luke 16:14). They prided themselves on their adherence to the Law, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus rebukes their hypocrisy, stating, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).
The Pharisees were more concerned with outward appearances and the approval of others than with genuine righteousness. They used their wealth to create a facade of piety, but God saw their true motives. This serves as a warning against self-deception and the pursuit of worldly recognition over God's approval.
Jesus then affirms the enduring authority of God's Law, stating that "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void" (Luke 16:17). He uses the example of marriage to illustrate this point, condemning divorce and remarriage (without biblical justification) as adultery (Luke 16:18). This highlights the Pharisees' selective adherence to the Law, as they often twisted its interpretations to suit their own desires.
The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
To further illustrate the dangers of misplaced priorities and the eternal consequences of our choices, Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus, a poor beggar covered in sores, lay at his gate, longing for scraps from his table.
Both men eventually die. Lazarus is carried by angels to "Abraham's bosom," a place of comfort and honor, while the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades (Luke 16:22-23). The afterlife brings a complete reversal of their earthly fortunes.
The rich man, suffering in agony, pleads for mercy and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers, lest they end up in the same place of torment (Luke 16:27-28). Abraham responds that they have "Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them" (Luke 16:29). The rich man insists that a resurrection from the dead would be more persuasive, but Abraham concludes, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31).
This powerful story underscores several crucial points:
- Earthly wealth is fleeting and ultimately meaningless in eternity. The rich man's riches provided no comfort in the afterlife.
- Our choices in this life have eternal consequences. The rich man's neglect of Lazarus and his focus on worldly pleasures led to his torment.
- God's Word is sufficient for salvation. The rich man's brothers had access to the Scriptures, but their hearts were hardened.
- Miracles alone cannot produce genuine faith. Even a resurrection would not convince those who reject God's Word.
The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a stark reminder that death comes for all, and that our eternal destiny hinges on our response to God's Word and our treatment of others in this life. It highlights the vital importance of the church's mission to share the gospel and win people to faith in Christ, because at the grave, it will be too late. Live your life and use your resources with eternity in mind.
Luke 16 challenges us to examine our hearts, our priorities, and our use of wealth. It calls us to be faithful stewards, to invest in eternal riches, and to heed God's Word above all else. By embracing these principles, we can live lives that are pleasing to God and secure a place in His eternal kingdom.