1
And Jesus said to His disciples, “There was a rich man who had a steward. And charges were brought against him that this steward was wasting his master’s goods.

2
So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an 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 away my stewardship from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.

4
I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from my stewardship, people may receive me into their houses.’

5
So he called each one of his master’s debtors to him. And he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

6
He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.’

7
Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

8
So the master praised the unjust steward because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than the children of light.

9
And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the everlasting dwellings.”

10
“Whoever is faithful in very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is unjust in very little is unjust also in much.

11
Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?

12
And if you have not been faithful in what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?

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 mammon.”

14
Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed Him.

15
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an 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 everyone is pressing into it.

17
It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of the Law to fail.

18
Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

19
“There was a rich man who was always clothed in purple and fine linen, and every day he feasted in splendor.

20
And there was a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores, lying at the rich man’s gate,

21
and longing to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22
Then the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.

23
The rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his side.

24
And he cried out, saying, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

25
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

26
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who would pass from here to you cannot, and none may cross from there to us.’

27
And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house,

28
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them earnestly, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

29
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’

30
And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

31
He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'”

📖 Luke 16 – About Wealth, Honesty, and Eternity

🧾 Summary of Luke 16

This chapter consists of two parables and several teachings of Jesus that highlight the management of wealth, honesty, and the reality of life after death.

1. The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (verses 1–13)

• A steward (financial manager) was reported to have misused his master’s property.
• Before being dismissed, he reduced the debts of his master’s clients so that they would later welcome him into their homes.
• The master praised his shrewdness, not his dishonesty, because he was “wise” in using temporary wealth for his future.

👉 Jesus emphasizes:

“Use Mammon (earthly wealth) to make friends for yourself, so that when it is no longer there, you may be received into the eternal dwelling.”

Meaning:

• Earthly wealth does not last forever.
• Use it for eternal purposes (blessing others, the work of God).
• Honesty in small matters reflects great responsibility.

2. About the Law and the Kingdom of God (verses 14–18)

• The Pharisees mocked Jesus because they loved money.
• Jesus said that they justify themselves before people, but God knows the heart.
• He emphasized the permanence of the Law, yet fulfilled it through the teaching of the Kingdom of God.
• Then Jesus touched on divorce, affirming the importance of faithfulness in marriage.

3. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (verses 19–31)

• There was a rich man living in luxury, and Lazarus, a sick beggar who lay at the gate of his house.
• Both died:

  • Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s side (heaven),

  • The rich man entered into suffering (hell).

• The rich man begged for mercy, but could not cross over.
• He asked that Lazarus be sent to warn his family.
• Abraham said:

“They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.”

👉 Meaning:

• Life after death is real and permanent.
• Wealth without compassion is useless.
• If someone does not believe God’s word, even miracles will not change their heart.

📘 Main Teaching of Luke 16

1. Earthly wealth is a test and a tool, not the goal.
2. Use wealth for God’s glory and the good of others.
3. Honesty in small matters reflects a trustworthy character.
4. The Lord judges the heart, not only outward appearance or wealth.
5. Death opens the door to eternity – there is no second chance.
6. God’s word is sufficient to lead to salvation.

✨ The Spiritual Meaning of Luke 16

• This life is temporary, but the way we live has eternal impact.
• We are called to be faithful stewards, not merely collectors of wealth.
• Compassion and care for others reflect the heart of God.
• We do not need to wait for a miracle – obey God’s word now.