Luke 16
Luke 16 is a chapter centered on two parables that Jesus told his disciples and the Pharisees (the parable of the dishonest manager and the rich man and Lazarus). Verses 1–13 focus on the “parable of the dishonest manager,” emphasizing a wise attitude toward material things and the importance of being faithful in “small matters.” In verses 14–18, a conversation with the Pharisees is inserted, revealing principles regarding the Law and the kingdom of God, as well as God’s perspective who looks at the human heart. In the final verses 19–31, the “parable of the rich man and Lazarus” continues, delivering a message about life in this world, the life to come, and eternal values.
1verseHe also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
2verseHe called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’
3verse“The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg.
4verseI know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’
5verseCalling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’
6verseHe said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7verseThen he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
8verse“His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.
9verseI tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents.
10verseHe who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
11verseIf therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12verseIf you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?
13verseNo servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and Mammon.”
14verseThe Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him.
15verseHe said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
16verse“The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
17verseBut it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall.
18verse“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
19verse“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
20verseA certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores,
21verseand desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22verseThe beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23verseIn Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.
24verseHe 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 in anguish in this flame.’
25verse“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted and you are in anguish.
26verseBesides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’
27verse“He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house—
28versefor I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’
29verse“But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’
30verse“He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31verse“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”
The parable of the dishonest manager
When the dishonest manager in verses 1–13 finds himself facing the loss of his position, he prepares for his future by reducing the debts owed to his master by those who owe him. Through this parable, Jesus says, “The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation,” and teaches them to use the world’s wealth (wealth of wrongdoing) in a right way to prepare for what is eternal. The key is not the money itself, but rather the faithfulness and responsibility that are revealed through how the manager uses it, and ultimately the conclusion is that he “cannot serve God and money at the same time.”
The Law, God’s values, and the dispute with the Pharisees
In verses 14–18, Jesus points out that the Pharisees, who appear to keep the Law outwardly, actually love material things inwardly, as shown by the scene where they hear Jesus’ words and mock them. Jesus reminds them that what matters is the spirit of the Law—following God’s heart in essence—and makes clear that the Law and the kingdom of God are in harmony, and that God’s evaluation is true rather than human judgment.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in verses 19–31, Jesus emphasizes that the circumstances of life on earth can be reversed completely after death. The rich man lived a life of luxury, but after he died he suffered; by contrast, the poor Lazarus received comfort. This parable shows that it is not possessions or external conditions, but one’s attitude in life, trust in God, and love and sharing with others that matter more in determining eternal life. It also warns that people must pay attention to God’s already-given message (the Law and the prophets).
Meditation points
- Living as a faithful steward: Let’s examine how I’m using the time, material resources, and relationships that God has entrusted to me.
- True value: Reflect on whether I am pursuing eternal value beyond what can be seen.
- Seeing from God’s perspective: Take a look back at whether I’m living a life that makes God happy rather than focusing on people’s outward evaluations.
- Change through God’s Word: Consider how much I’m listening to and responding to the Word God has already given.
Applying it to myself
- In daily life, think about whether you are faithfully carrying out the tasks and possessions you’ve been entrusted with.
- Practice whether your priorities in life place an attitude toward wealth, sharing and care, and eternal value at the forefront.
- If there is a neighbor nearby who needs help, look for an opportunity to practice love, even in small ways, without turning away.
- Make a decision to listen more closely to God’s Word and live out that Word in everyday life.
