Luke Chapter 16: Stewardship, Wealth, and Eternity

Summary
Luke 16 captures Jesus’ teachings on the proper use of wealth, the importance of faithfulness, and the reality of eternal consequences, primarily directed to His disciples but overheard by Pharisees. The chapter unfolds in several key scenes:
  • Parable of the Dishonest Manager (16:1–13): Jesus tells of a manager facing dismissal for mismanaging his master’s wealth. The manager shrewdly reduces debtors’ bills to secure future favor. Jesus commends his cleverness (not dishonesty), urging disciples to use worldly wealth wisely for eternal purposes. He emphasizes that one cannot serve both God and money.
  • Teachings on Wealth and the Law (16:14–18): The Pharisees, who love money, scoff at Jesus. He rebukes them, stating that God knows hearts and that human values differ from divine ones. Jesus affirms the enduring validity of the Law and Prophets, while noting the kingdom’s arrival changes its application. He adds a saying on divorce to underscore moral accountability.
  • Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19–31): Jesus describes a rich man who lives luxuriously while ignoring Lazarus, a poor man covered in sores at his gate. Both die; Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s side (a place of comfort), while the rich man suffers in Hades. The rich man begs for relief and for a warning to his brothers, but Abraham says the Law and Prophets are sufficient, and even a resurrection won’t convince the unrepentant.
Cross-References
  • Dishonest Manager:
    • Matthew 6:24: No one can serve two masters, God and money.
    • 1 Timothy 6:10: The love of money is a root of evil.
    • Luke 12:33–34: Store up treasure in heaven through generosity.
  • Wealth and the Law:
    • Matthew 5:17–18: Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets.
    • Luke 11:42: Jesus critiques Pharisees for neglecting justice and love.
    • Deuteronomy 24:1–4: Divorce laws, referenced in 16:18.
  • Rich Man and Lazarus:
    • Psalm 49:16–20: Wealth cannot save from death.
    • Isaiah 66:24: Imagery of eternal torment, echoed in Hades.
    • John 5:39–40: Scriptures testify to Jesus, but some refuse to believe.
    • Luke 13:28: Exclusion from Abraham’s presence for the unfaithful.
    • Acts 2:31: Christ’s resurrection, which the parable implies some will reject.
Theological Meaning
Luke 16 is rich with theological themes that challenge attitudes toward wealth and eternity:
  • Wise Stewardship: The dishonest manager (16:1–8) teaches that believers should use worldly resources (money, time) strategically to advance God’s kingdom, ensuring eternal impact (16:9). Faithfulness in small matters prepares one for greater responsibilities (16:10–12).
  • Divided Loyalty: Serving God and money is impossible (16:13), as wealth can become an idol (Colossians 3:5). Jesus calls for prioritizing God, using wealth to serve others (1 John 3:17).
  • God’s Values vs. Human Values: The Pharisees’ love of money (16:14) reflects human priorities, but God judges the heart (16:15). True righteousness aligns with God’s standards, not outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).
  • Endurance of God’s Word: The Law and Prophets remain authoritative (16:17), pointing to Jesus (John 5:46). The kingdom’s arrival fulfills, not abolishes, their purpose (Romans 3:31).
  • Eternal Consequences: The rich man and Lazarus (16:19–31) illustrate the irreversible outcomes of life’s choices. Neglecting the poor and God’s Word leads to judgment, while faith brings eternal comfort (James 2:14–17). The parable emphasizes Scripture’s sufficiency for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
  • Urgency of Repentance: The rich man’s plea for his brothers (16:28) underscores the need to respond to God’s revelation now, as no further sign (even resurrection) will persuade the hardened heart (John 12:10–11).
Questions and Answers
  1. Why did Jesus commend the dishonest manager (16:8)?
    • Jesus didn’t praise the manager’s dishonesty but his shrewdness in using resources to secure his future (16:8). He encourages disciples to use worldly wealth wisely for eternal goals, like generosity or evangelism, to gain “friends” in heaven (16:9; Luke 12:33).
  2. What does “make friends with unrighteous wealth” mean (16:9)?
    • “Unrighteous wealth” refers to worldly money, which can be tainted by sin. Jesus urges using it for kingdom purposes (e.g., helping the poor) to build relationships that reflect eternal values, ensuring a welcome in heaven (1 Timothy 6:18–19).
  3. Why did the Pharisees scoff at Jesus (16:14)?
    • The Pharisees, who valued wealth and status, mocked Jesus’ teaching against serving money (16:13–14). Their love of money blinded them to God’s priorities, prompting Jesus’ rebuke that God sees the heart (16:15; Luke 11:39–41).
  4. Why did Jesus mention divorce in this context (16:18)?
    • The saying on divorce reinforces the enduring moral demands of God’s Law (16:17), countering the Pharisees’ lax interpretations (Deuteronomy 24:1). It underscores that entering the kingdom requires obedience to God’s standards in all areas, including marriage (Matthew 19:9).
  5. Is the story of the rich man and Lazarus a parable or real event (16:19–31)?
    • Most scholars view it as a parable, as it uses vivid storytelling like Jesus’ other parables (e.g., Luke 15). The named character (Lazarus) is unusual but may emphasize the poor’s value in God’s eyes. It teaches truth about eternal consequences, not necessarily historical details.
  6. What is “Abraham’s side” and “Hades” (16:22–23)?
    • “Abraham’s side” (or “bosom”) symbolizes a place of comfort and honor in God’s presence for the righteous after death (Hebrews 11:13–16). “Hades” is a place of torment for the unrighteous, distinct from final judgment (Revelation 20:14). The parable contrasts their eternal fates.
  7. Why couldn’t the rich man get relief or warn his brothers (16:24–28)?
    • The “great chasm” (16:26) signifies the fixed, irreversible nature of eternal destinies after death (Hebrews 9:27). The rich man’s request to warn his brothers is denied because Scripture (the Law and Prophets) is sufficient for repentance (16:29–31; 2 Timothy 3:15).
  8. Why wouldn’t a resurrection convince the rich man’s brothers (16:31)?
    • Abraham notes that those who reject Scripture will also reject a miraculous sign, like a resurrection (16:31). This foreshadows the Pharisees’ refusal to believe even after Jesus’ resurrection (John 12:10–11), highlighting the hardness of unrepentant hearts.
Additional Notes for Readers
  • Historical Context: Wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s favor in first-century Judaism, making Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees’ greed (16:14) radical. The dishonest manager’s actions reflect common debt practices, where reducing bills could curry favor. Lazarus’ poverty and sores made him an outcast, contrasting the rich man’s luxury, which ignored Jewish calls to care for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7–11).
  • Cultural Questions: Readers might wonder why the manager was dishonest. His actions, while unethical, were pragmatic in a crisis, illustrating the urgency of preparing for eternity. The divorce saying (16:18) addressed lax interpretations that allowed easy divorce, emphasizing God’s design for marriage. The parable of Lazarus uses vivid imagery (Hades, torment) familiar to Jewish apocalyptic thought (Isaiah 66:24).
  • Application: Luke 16 challenges believers to use resources generously for God’s purposes, prioritize God over wealth, and heed Scripture’s call to repentance. The rich man’s fate warns against neglecting the poor and God’s Word, urging a life of faith and compassion (James 2:17).
Back to blog