What is Jesus teaching in the story of the unjust steward?

In the story of the unjust steward, Jesus is not praising dishonesty but the steward’s foresight. The steward knows he is about to lose his job, so he uses the little time and influence he has left to prepare for the future by dealing kindly with his master’s debtors. Jesus uses this as a picture: if worldly people plan ahead so carefully for this short life, God’s people should be even more thoughtful with money and opportunities, using them for good, with eternity in view. It is a call to wise, generous stewardship, not to cheating.

Why does Jesus say to make friends with the mammon of unrighteousness?

“Mammon of unrighteousness” means earthly riches that are often used in sinful ways or gained in a sinful world. Jesus says to “make friends” with it by using money to help others and serve God, not to serve ourselves. When we give to those in need, support God’s work, and act kindly and fairly, we turn something that often leads to sin into something that honors God. Then, when our earthly life fails, those deeds show we trusted God, and we are welcomed into everlasting homes.

What does it mean that you cannot serve God and mammon?

When Jesus says you cannot serve God and mammon, he is saying you cannot have two ruling masters in your heart. Mammon means money and all that comes with it, like comfort, status, and power. You might possess money, but if you are serving it, it owns you. Serving God means trusting him, obeying him, and using what you have for his will. Serving mammon means chasing wealth as your main goal. In the end, you will love one and despise the other. You must choose whom you truly serve.

Why did the Pharisees mock Jesus after this teaching on money?

The Pharisees are described as covetous, so when they heard Jesus warn about serving money and call people to faithful stewardship, they mocked him. They justified themselves before people, likely pointing to their outward religion and status. Jesus answers that God knows their hearts, and what people admire can be disgusting in God’s sight. Their love of money and high position showed that, though they looked holy on the outside, they were not right inside. This exposes the danger of hypocrisy and trusting appearances.

What is the main lesson from the rich man and Lazarus?

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus shows a sharp contrast. The rich man enjoys luxury and ignores the suffering beggar at his gate. After death, Lazarus is comforted with Abraham, while the rich man is in torment. The lesson is not simply that poor people go to heaven and rich people to hell, but that how we live with what God gives us really matters. Hard hearts toward the needy and trust in wealth bring judgment. There is no crossing over after death, and the time to repent and show mercy is now.

Who is Lazarus in this passage, and why is he named?

Lazarus is a poor, sick beggar laid at the rich man’s gate, longing for crumbs and licked by dogs. Unlike the rich man, he is given a name in the story, which highlights his value before God, even though people overlooked him. After he dies, angels carry him to Abraham’s side, a picture of comfort and honor. Naming him reminds us that God knows the lowly and that the forgotten and despised on earth can be dearly loved and comforted in eternity, while the self-satisfied rich man remains unnamed.

What does this passage teach about heaven, hell, and the great gulf fixed?

Jesus pictures Lazarus at Abraham’s side and the rich man in torment, separated by a great gulf that no one can cross. The details use familiar images to help us understand unseen things, but the main point is clear: after death, there is a real division and it cannot be changed. Those who are comforted stay comforted, and those who face torment cannot pass over or send others back. This warns us that our choices now, especially how we respond to God’s word and treat others, have lasting results.

Why does Abraham say Moses and the prophets are enough to warn the rich man’s brothers?

When the rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, Abraham answers that they already have Moses and the prophets, meaning the written Scriptures. If they will not listen to God’s word, even someone rising from the dead will not persuade them. This shows how serious it is to ignore Scripture. God has already spoken clearly about sin, mercy, justice, and repentance. The problem is not lack of proof but hard hearts. The passage urges us to hear and obey God’s word now.

How does being faithful in little relate to true riches in this chapter?

Jesus says that whoever is faithful in what is least will also be faithful in much. Here, “least” mainly refers to earthly money and possessions. If we waste, hoard, or misuse these, why should God trust us with “true riches,” meaning spiritual blessings and deeper responsibilities in his kingdom? On the other hand, when we handle even small things with honesty, generosity, and care, it shows a heart that can be trusted with more. Everyday choices with money are training for eternal stewardship.

How can this passage shape how I use money and possessions today?

This passage invites you to see yourself as a steward, not an owner. What you have is given for a time and you will give an account. Ask how your spending, saving, and giving reflect love for God and neighbor. Look for Lazarus at your gate, people in need you might overlook. Use money to show kindness, support the spread of God’s kingdom, and care for the poor. Guard your heart against serving money, and remember that one day your wealth will fail, but what is done in love for God will last.

Luke.16.1

Luke 16:1

KJV Jesus

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

4 I am 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 lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The Law and the Prophets

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is 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 every man presseth into it.

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And 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 cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.