Introduction

† Luke 16:1-13 is one of the most misunderstood parables in Scripture. Some assume Jesus was praising dishonesty, but that's not the point of the parable.

† Jesus was teaching His disciples about wise stewardship, accountability, and using temporary earthly resources for eternal purposes.

† In the first century, judgment upon the Old Covenant world was approaching. Time was short, and God's people were to use what had been entrusted to them wisely before the coming transition of the ages.

Luke 16:1

Now He was also saying to the disciples, There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions.

† The steward was entrusted with another man's possessions and was accountable for how he managed them. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

† Everything we possess ultimately belongs to God, and we are stewards rather than owners. (Psalm 24:1)

† The accusation against the steward reminds us that every steward will eventually give an account. (Romans 14:12)

Luke 16:2

And he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'

† A day of accounting had arrived for the steward.

† This reflects the principle that stewardship is temporary and accountability is certain. (Hebrews 9:27)

† The first-century Jewish leadership was also approaching a time when their stewardship would be removed. (Matthew 21:43)

Luke 16:3-4

And the manager said to himself, 'What am I to do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me into their homes.'

† The steward recognized that his present situation would soon end.

† He acted with urgency because he understood that change was coming.

† Jesus often emphasized the need to act while opportunity remains. (John 9:4)

Luke 16:5-7

And he summoned each one of his master's debtors, and he began saying to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' And he said, 'A hundred jugs of oil.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred kors of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'

† The steward acted decisively because he understood his remaining time was limited.

† The emphasis is not upon dishonesty but upon foresight and preparation.

† Jesus uses the steward's urgency as a lesson for His disciples.

Luke 16:8

And his master complimented the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.

† The steward was not commended for dishonesty but for acting wisely in light of future realities.

† Jesus contrasts worldly people who prepare for temporary futures with believers who should prepare for eternal realities.

† Wisdom includes recognizing what is coming and acting accordingly. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

† The phrase sons of this world and sons of light was especially relevant to the first-century audience living during the transition between the Old Covenant age and the fully established Kingdom age. (Romans 13:11-12)

† Jesus repeatedly warned His followers to recognize the signs of their times and act before judgment arrived. (Luke 21:20-22)

Luke 16:9

And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it is all gone, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.

† Earthly wealth is temporary and will eventually fail.

† Jesus taught His followers to use material resources for God's purposes and the benefit of others.

† Investments made in God's kingdom have eternal value. (Matthew 6:19-20)

† The eternal tabernacles point beyond temporary earthly systems and toward the everlasting dwelling place God provides for His people. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

† This reminds believers to invest in things that survive the passing away of earthly kingdoms and covenantal systems. (Hebrews 12:26-28)

Luke 16:10

The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and the one who is unrighteous in a very little thing is also unrighteous in much.

† Faithfulness is revealed in everyday responsibilities.

† God values integrity in both small and large matters.

† Character is demonstrated long before greater responsibilities are entrusted. (Luke 19:17)

Luke 16:11-12

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true wealth to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

† Material possessions are temporary trusts from God.

† Spiritual blessings are of far greater value than earthly wealth.

† Faithfulness with temporary things demonstrates readiness for eternal responsibilities.

Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

† The parable reaches its central lesson here.

† Every person ultimately chooses whom they will serve.

† Wealth can be a useful tool, but it can never be a master for those who belong to God. (Matthew 6:24)

† The religious leaders loved wealth and status, which is why the Pharisees immediately reacted to Jesus after this teaching. (Luke 16:14)

† No one can truly follow Christ while allowing money, power, or earthly gain to become their master. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Historical References

† Eusebius recorded that believers in Judea recognized the approaching judgment upon Jerusalem and acted wisely by leaving before the destruction of the city.

† Josephus described the turmoil, instability, and economic collapse that surrounded the years leading up to AD 70.

† Clement of Alexandria taught that wealth itself was not evil, but believers were to use it wisely for the benefit of others and for God's purposes.

† These historical events illustrate the importance of recognizing the times and acting with wisdom before opportunities disappear.

How It Applies To Us Today

† We are stewards of everything God has entrusted to us.

† Our time, abilities, opportunities, and resources should be used for God's purposes.

† Faithfulness today matters because stewardship always involves accountability.

† Earthly possessions are temporary, but the impact we have for God's kingdom endures.

† We should live with wisdom, recognizing that eternal things are more valuable than temporary wealth.

Q & A Appendix

Q: Was Jesus praising dishonesty in this parable?

A: No. Jesus commended the steward's wisdom and foresight, not his dishonesty. The lesson is about acting wisely in light of future realities. (Luke 16:8)

Q: What does making friends for eternity mean?

A: Jesus was teaching that earthly resources should be used in ways that honor God and benefit others, producing results that have eternal value. (Luke 16:9)

Q: What is mammon?

A: Mammon refers to material wealth and possessions. Jesus warned that wealth must remain a servant and never become a master. (Luke 16:13)

Q: Why is faithfulness in little things important?

A: Small acts of faithfulness reveal character and demonstrate readiness for greater responsibilities. (Luke 16:10)

Q: Why did Jesus give this parable before speaking against the Pharisees?

A: Luke immediately tells us that the Pharisees were lovers of money and ridiculed Jesus after hearing this teaching. The parable exposed their misplaced priorities and warned against serving wealth instead of God. (Luke 16:14-15)

Q: Is this parable only about money?

A: No. Money is the example Jesus used, but the broader lesson is stewardship. Everything God entrusts to us, time, abilities, opportunities, and resources, should be used faithfully for His purposes. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †

© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index

† Luke 16:1-13

† Josephus, Wars of the Jews; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History; Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?