Book of Luke
Chapter 16
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. (Luke 16:13)
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16 brings the realities of our stewardship, our attitudes towards wealth, and our response to God’s Word into sharp focus. It highlights the divine principles that govern our lives and eternity, urging us to act wisely in light of eternal consequences. As disciples of Jesus, it is an imperative call to faithful stewardship, compassion for the needy, and obedience to God’s Word. Our choices in this life have ramifications that echo into eternity. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/luke/16.htm)
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Verses 1-13)
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.2 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.3 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.4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.5 So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 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.8 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.9 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.10 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.11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?13 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.
The Parable of the Unjust Steward, found in Luke 16:1-13, describes a manager who defrauds his master but uses the money to gain allies for his own future security. The lesson is that while the manager was wrong, his shrewdness in preparing for his future could be an example for believers to use worldly resources wisely to prepare for eternal life, emphasizing the importance of generosity and sound stewardship of God’s resources.
Jesus shares a parable about a dishonest manager who, when faced with the loss of his job, shrewdly reduces the debts owed to his master by others to secure his future. Jesus emphasizes the wise use of worldly wealth to gain eternal rewards and the principle that he who is faithful with little will also be faithful with much. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/luke/16.htm)
The Pharisees and Love of Money (Verses 14-18)
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.15 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.16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Jesus confronts the Pharisees, lovers of money, who scoffed at his teachings, emphasizing the value of the law and prophets and God’s knowledge of the heart. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/luke/16.htm)
Luke 16:14–18 exposes the Pharisees’ twisted relationship between their hearts, the Mosaic law, and the kingdom of God. They love money, and so reject Jesus’ assertions about the antagonistic relationship between chasing wealth and following God. Jesus points out that this is a problem with their hearts, not the Law. He then gives another example: the callous way in which men divorce their wives. Next, Jesus will tell the story of the rich man and Lazarus, warning the Pharisees to let the Scriptures lead them to Him (Luke 16:19–31). (https://www.bibleref.com/Luke/16/Luke-16-14.html)
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Verses 19-31)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22 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;23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 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.25 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.26 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.27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
This parable depicts a rich man who lived in luxury while ignoring the poor man Lazarus at his gate. After death, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham’s bosom while the rich man suffers in Hades. Jesus uses this parable to highlight the eternal implications of earthly choices, the importance of heeding God’s Word, and the futility of post-death repentance. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/luke/16.htm)
In Luke 16, Jesus addresses important themes including the wise use of earthly wealth, the dangers of the love of money, and the implications of our choices in light of eternity. He uses two memorable parables – the Shrewd Manager and the Rich Man and Lazarus – to deliver lessons about stewardship, worldly wealth, and the afterlife. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/luke/16.htm)
Practical Applications
Evaluate your use of resources: Are you using your time, talents, and treasures to further God’s kingdom?
Cultivate faithfulness in small tasks, knowing that God values integrity and stewardship.
Reflect on your priorities: Are you serving God wholeheartedly, or are you divided in your loyalties?
Show compassion and generosity to those in need, recognizing the eternal impact of your actions.
Trust in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture for guidance and instruction.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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