Luke 16 – The Parable of the Unjust Steward and Teachings on Money
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.” (Luke 16:9, NKJV)
“No servant can serve two masters…” (v. 13)
“For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (v. 15)
🔍 CAPTURE THE SCENE (What do I see?)
- Jesus tells the Parable of the Unjust Steward, which challenges the common understanding of wealth and faithful stewardship
- He teaches about the dangers of serving money, explaining that we must choose between serving God and serving mammon (wealth)
- Jesus also warns about self-righteousness and judging others, emphasizing that what is esteemed by men may not align with God’s values
- The chapter concludes with a teaching on divorce and the law, explaining the eternal significance of God’s Word in contrast to human traditions
📖 ANALYZE THE MESSAGE (What does it mean?)
1. The Parable of the Unjust Steward (vv. 1–13)
“There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.”
Jesus introduces a parable about a steward (a manager) who is accused of being irresponsible with his master’s wealth
“So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’”
The rich man fires the steward and demands an accounting of his actions
“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do, for my master is taking the stewardship away from me?’”
The steward, realizing he will lose his position, devises a plan to secure his future
“I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.”
The steward decides to forgive debts owed to his master, in order to win favor with the debtors
“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’”
He reduces their debts, hoping they will take him in when he loses his job
“And he said, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’”
The steward decreases the amount owed, showing shrewdness in his actions
“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly…”
The rich man praises the steward for his shrewdness, though he had acted unjustly, showing that people often act wisely in matters of earthly wealth
“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.”
Jesus points out that worldly people are more resourceful in securing their future than the children of Godare in managing their spiritual lives
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.”
Jesus teaches that we should use earthly wealth to build relationships that will last into eternity, showing faithful stewardship of God’s resources
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much…”
Jesus teaches that faithfulness in small matters leads to faithfulness in greater responsibilities, both in the physical and spiritual realms
“No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other…”
Jesus warns against dividing loyalty between God and wealth; we must choose whom we will serve
2. Jesus Warns About the Love of Money (vv. 14–15)
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.”
The Pharisees, who were greedy for wealth, mock Jesus, not understanding that He is teaching about the dangers of materialism
“And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.’”
Jesus confronts the Pharisees’ self-righteousness and hypocrisy, showing that their actions may appear righteous to people, but God sees their true hearts
“For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Jesus teaches that worldly values, such as wealth and status, are detestable in God’s sight if they are worshiped or idolized above Him
3. The Law and the Kingdom of God (vv. 16–18)
“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.”
Jesus acknowledges the importance of the law and prophets, but points to the new era of the kingdom of God, which is being proclaimed through Him
“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.”
Jesus affirms the eternal authority of God’s Word, emphasizing that nothing in God’s Word will pass away
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
Jesus teaches on the sanctity of marriage, affirming that divorce and remarriage are sinful unless in cases of adultery
🔁 COMPARE THIS CHAPTER WITH THE REST OF SCRIPTURE
- Faithful Stewardship:
- Matthew 25:14–30 – The Parable of the Talents, emphasizing faithfulness in using God’s resources
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 – “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
- Serving God vs. Money:
- Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon.”
- 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is the root of all evil…”
- The Parable of the Unjust Steward:
- Matthew 6:19–21 – Jesus teaches about treasures in heaven and the importance of storing up eternal riches
- Luke 19:8 – Zacchaeus demonstrates repentance by giving away his wealth, showing the kingdom’s values
- The Kingdom of God and the Law:
- Matthew 5:17–19 – Jesus fulfills the law, teaching its deeper spiritual meaning
- Romans 3:31 – “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”
🙌 EXECUTE (So what? How does this affect my life?)
Principle: Faithful stewardship of resources, prioritizing God’s kingdom, and the choice to follow Christ require sacrifice and wholehearted commitment.
- Serve God, Not Money
Evaluate where your loyalties lie — are you serving God or chasing after wealth? Prioritize God’s kingdom in your life - Be Faithful in Small Things
Practice faithful stewardship of everything God has given you, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem - Live with Eternal Perspective
Use your resources for eternal purposes, helping build God’s kingdom rather than hoarding material wealth for yourself - Respect the Sanctity of Marriage
Honor the biblical definition of marriage and seek to live in faithfulness, purity, and commitment in your relationships
🗣️ GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How can we practically serve God with our resources, avoiding the love of money?
- In what ways are you being faithful in small things, and how can you grow in stewardship?
- What does it look like to make eternal investments in the kingdom of God, rather than focusing on temporary wealth?
- How does the teaching on marriage challenge the world’s view on relationships?
- In your own life, how can you prioritize God’s kingdom over worldly desires?