Luke 16:1-15

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

1 He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had j a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your k management, for you can no longer be manager.' 3 And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 He said, 'A hundred measures 1 of oil.' 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?' He said, 'A hundred measures 2 of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his l shrewdness. For m the sons of this world 3 are l more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than n the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, o make friends for yourselves by means of p unrighteous wealth, 4 so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

10 q "One who is r faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in s that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 p 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."

The Law and the Kingdom of God

14 t The Pharisees, who were u lovers of money, heard all these things, and they v ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, "You are those who w justify yourselves before men, but x God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men y is an abomination in the sight of God.

  1. Cross References
    Luke 12:42
    And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:17
    For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 25:2
    Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 25:2
    Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
  5. Cross References
    Luke 20:34
    And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.
    Luke 10:6
    And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.
  6. Cross References
    John 12:36
    While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.
    1 Thessalonians 5:5
    For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
    Ephesians 5:8
    For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
  7. Cross References
    Luke 12:33
    Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
    Matthew 6:20
    But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
    Matthew 19:21
    Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
    1 Timothy 6:10
    For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
    1 Timothy 6:17 - 19
    As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
  8. Cross References
    Luke 16:11
    If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
    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 the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
    Matthew 6:24
    No one 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.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 25:21
    His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
    Matthew 25:23
    His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
  10. Cross References
    Luke 19:17
    And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.
  11. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 29:14
    But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
    1 Chronicles 29:16
    O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.
  12. Cross References
    Luke 16:9
    And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
  13. Cross References
    Luke 11:39
    And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
    Luke 20:47
    Who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.
  14. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:2
    For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.
    1 Timothy 6:10
    For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
  15. Cross References
    Luke 23:35
    And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!
  16. Cross References
    Luke 10:29
    But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?
  17. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:7
    But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
    1 Chronicles 28:9
    And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
    Proverbs 21:2
    Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
  18. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:5
    Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord ; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.