Luke 16

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

1 He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was 1 wasting his goods. 2 "So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an a account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 "Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 'I have 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 master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 "And he said, 'A hundred 2 measures 3 of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 "Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred 4 measures 5 of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 "So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than b the sons of light. 9 "And I say to you, c make friends for yourselves by unrighteous 6 mammon, that when 7 you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

10 d "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 "And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your e own? 13 f "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. You cannot serve God and mammon."

The Law and the Kingdom of God

14 Now the Pharisees, g who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they 8 derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who h justify yourselves i before men, but j God knows your hearts. For k what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16 l "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 m "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one 9 tittle of the law to fail.

Divorce and Remarriage

18 n "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and 10 fared sumptuously every day. 20 "But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 "desiring to be fed with 11 the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to o Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 "Then 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 p cool my tongue; for I q am tormented in this flame.' 25 "But Abraham said, 'Son, r remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' 27 "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, 28 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham said to him, s 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 "But he said to him, t 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, u neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "

  1. Cross References
    Romans 14:12
    So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
    2 Corinthians 5:10
    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
    1 Peter 4:5
    They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
    1 Peter 4:6
    For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
  2. Cross References
    John 12:36
    While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
    Ephesians 5:8
    For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
    1 Thessalonians 5:5
    You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
  3. Cross References
    Daniel 4:27
    Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.
    Matthew 6:19
    Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
    Matthew 19:21
    Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.
    Luke 11:41
    But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
    1 Timothy 6:17 - 19
    Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 25:21
    "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
    Luke 19:17
    "And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'
  5. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
    1 Peter 1:4
    To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 6:24
    No one 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. You cannot serve God and mammon.
    Galatians 1:10
    For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 23:14
    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
  8. Cross References
    Luke 10:29
    But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 6:2
    Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
    Matthew 6:5
    And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
    Matthew 6:16
    Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
  10. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 28:9
    As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
    2 Chronicles 6:30
    Then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men).
    Psalms 7:9
    Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
    Proverbs 15:11
    Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
    Jeremiah 17:10
    I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
  11. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:7
    But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
    Psalms 10:3
    For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD.
    Proverbs 6:16 - 19
    These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
    Proverbs 16:5
    Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 3:1 - 12
    In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
    Matthew 4:17
    From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
    Matthew 11:12
    And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
    Matthew 11:13
    For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
    Luke 7:29
    And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 102:26
    They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, the...
    Psalms 102:27
    But You are the same, And Your years will have ...
    Isaiah 40:8
    The grass withers, the flower fades, But the wo...
    Isaiah 51:6
    Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on t...
    Matthew 5:18
    For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and ea...
    1 Peter 1:25
    But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now ...
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 5:32
    But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
    Matthew 19:9
    "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."
    Mark 10:11
    So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
    1 Corinthians 7:10
    Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.
    1 Corinthians 7:11
    But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 8:11
    And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
  16. Cross References
    Zechariah 14:12
    And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
  17. Cross References
    Isaiah 66:24
    "And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
    Mark 9:42 - 48
    But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
  18. Cross References
    Job 21:13
    They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.
    Luke 6:24
    But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.
    James 5:5
    You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
  19. Cross References
    Isaiah 8:20
    To the law and to the testimony! If they do not...
    Isaiah 34:16
    Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not...
    John 5:39
    You search the Scriptures, for in them you thin...
    John 5:45
    Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Fat...
    Acts 15:21
    "For Moses has had throughout many generations ...
    Acts 17:11
    These were more fair-minded than those in Thess...
    2 Timothy 3:15
    And that from childhood you have known the Holy...
  20. Cross References
    John 5:46
    For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
  21. Cross References
    John 12:10
    But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also.
    John 12:11
    Because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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