# Overview Luke Chapter 16 begins with [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] presenting the Parable of the #UnjustSteward, which serves as a profound lesson on the wise use of worldly resources for eternal purposes. In this parable, a steward is accused of squandering his master's goods, leading to his impending dismissal. In a bid to secure his future, the steward shrewdly reduces the debts of his master's debtors, winning their favor. Jesus uses this story to encourage His disciples to be prudent with their resources, urging them to make friends for themselves by means of unrighteous wealth so that, when it fails, they may be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Jesus underscores the principle that one cannot serve both #God and money, emphasizing the need for faithfulness in small things to be entrusted with greater responsibilities in the Kingdom of God. The chapter continues with Jesus addressing the #Pharisees, who are described as lovers of money. Jesus rebukes their self-justification and highlights the impermanence of #earthly wealth compared to the enduring value of God's law. He then shares the account of the rich man and #Lazarus, a poignant narrative contrasting the fates of the wealthy individual and the poor beggar. In life, the rich man lived in luxury while Lazarus suffered, but in death, their roles reverse, with Lazarus comforted in #Abraham's bosom and the rich man in torment. This story emphasizes themes of justice, eternal destiny, and the importance of heeding divine revelation. Jesus concludes by stressing the sufficiency of #Moses and the #Prophets for guiding one's life, revealing that even a miracle like someone rising from the dead would not convince those who are set in their ways. ## Theological Insights #Luke 16 presents a series of teachings from [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] that emphasize themes of stewardship, the use of wealth, and the realities of the afterlife. The chapter begins with the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, where Jesus highlights the importance of being wise and prudent in the management of resources. Here, Jesus urges His followers to use worldly wealth to gain friends for eternal dwellings, underscoring the transient nature of earthly riches compared to eternal relationships in the kingdom of #God. This teaching aligns with Jesus' earlier words on storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6]]. In verses 13-15, Jesus speaks directly to the Pharisees, reminding them that no one can serve two masters. This teaching emphasizes the incompatibility of serving both #God and money, a theme that echoes throughout the #NewTestament, such as in [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 6]], where the love of money is described as the root of all kinds of evil. Jesus' admonition serves as a call to prioritize heavenly over earthly wealth. The parable of the Rich Man and #Lazarus further illustrates the eternal consequences of earthly choices regarding wealth and compassion. The rich man, who lived in luxury without regard for the poor man Lazarus, finds himself in torment in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in #Abraham's bosom. This narrative starkly contrasts the temporary comfort of wealth with eternal realities, highlighting the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife and the importance of heeding #Moses and the Prophets – a reference to the #OldTestament scriptures. Additionally, this chapter contains teachings on the permanence of the #Law and the #Prophets (verse 17), underscoring Jesus' mission not to abolish but to fulfill the law, as He articulates in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5]]. Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of God is being proclaimed, and everyone is forcing their way into it, which illustrates the urgency and the pressing nature of entering God's kingdom. Lastly, the brief teaching on divorce in verse 18 reiterates the sanctity of marriage, aligning with Jesus’ teaching on marriage and divorce found in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 19]], where He references the creation ordinance of marriage from [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2]]. Overall, #Luke 16 challenges believers to consider the nature of true wealth, the call to faithful stewardship, and the eternal significance of their earthly actions, reminding them of the broader narrative of God’s redemptive work throughout scripture. ## Thematic Connections ### Stewardship and Accountability In [[Luke/Luke Chapter 16]], the parable of the shrewd manager underscores the theme of stewardship and accountability. The manager's actions reflect the importance of being wise stewards of the resources entrusted to us by God. This theme is echoed in other passages such as the parable of the talents in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 25]], where servants are held accountable for how they manage their master's resources. The concept of stewardship extends to all areas of life, urging believers to use their gifts and possessions for God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom. ### Wealth and Eternal Security The chapter addresses the dangers of wealth and the false sense of security it can provide. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus highlights the eternal consequences of focusing on earthly riches at the expense of spiritual wealth. This theme is similarly explored in [[Mark/Mark Chapter 10]], where Jesus teaches that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The emphasis is on prioritizing eternal values over temporal possessions, as seen in the admonition to store up treasures in heaven in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6]]. ### The Reversal of Fortunes [[Luke/Luke Chapter 16]] emphasizes the theme of the reversal of fortunes, evident in the fate of the rich man and Lazarus. This theme is consistent with the teachings of Jesus throughout his ministry, where the last shall be first, and the first last, as stated in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 19]]. It reflects the justice and righteousness of God's kingdom, where earthly status does not determine one's standing before God. ### The Law and the Prophets Jesus' teaching in this chapter reinforces the continuity of the Law and the Prophets with the message of the kingdom of God. The reference to the teachings of Moses and the prophets, as seen in verses like [[Luke/Luke Chapter 16#Verse 29]], underscores that the call to righteousness and repentance has been consistent throughout Scripture. This theme connects with Jesus’ affirmation in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5]] that He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. ### Faithfulness in Small Things The chapter highlights the importance of faithfulness in small matters as a prerequisite for being entrusted with greater responsibilities. This principle is seen in Jesus' words in verse 10, which align with teachings in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 25]] about being faithful over a few things to be made ruler over many. It emphasizes that integrity and fidelity in everyday actions are crucial for spiritual growth and responsibility within God's kingdom. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Law and the Prophets In Luke 16, Jesus emphasizes the continuity and fulfillment of the #Law and the #Prophets. In [[Luke/Luke Chapter 16#Verse 16|verse 16]], Jesus states, "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until #John; since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached." This declaration affirms the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, where Jesus fulfills the law and prophecies as the promised #Messiah. This transition is also echoed in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5:17-18]], where Jesus declares his mission to fulfill the law. ### The Kingdom of God The teaching on the kingdom of God in Luke 16 reflects the prophetic expectations found in the Old Testament. The concept of the kingdom being preached aligns with the prophetic vision found in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2|Daniel 2:44]], where God's eternal kingdom is established. Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom signifies the fulfillment of these prophecies, where He is the King who inaugurates this divine reign. ### The Rich Man and Lazarus The parable of the Rich Man and #Lazarus in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 16#Verse 19|verses 19-31]] reveals prophetic undertones concerning judgment and the afterlife. This narrative echoes themes found in the #Psalms and #Proverbs, which emphasize the reversal of fortunes for the righteous and the wicked. Passages such as [[Psalm/Psalm 49|Psalm 49:16-20]] and [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 11|Proverbs 11:4]] highlight the ultimate justice and judgment of God, themes that find their fulfillment in the teachings of Jesus regarding the afterlife. ### The Prophetic Call to Repentance Jesus' message throughout Luke 16 includes a call to repentance and a warning against the love of money, echoing the prophetic calls found in the Old Testament. Prophets like #Amos, who warned against the complacency and corruption of the wealthy in [[Amos/Amos Chapter 6|Amos 6:1-6]], are mirrored in Jesus' teachings. The parable warns of the spiritual danger of wealth and calls for a heart aligned with God's values, fulfilling the prophetic tradition of calling people back to righteousness. ## Verses - **Luke 16:1** - "Jesus told this story to his disciples: 'There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money.'" - **Luke 16:2** - "'So the employer called him in and said, "What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired."'" - **Luke 16:3** - "'The manager thought to himself, "Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg."'" - **Luke 16:4** - "'Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired."'" - **Luke 16:5** - "'So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, "How much do you owe him?"'" - **Luke 16:6** - "'The man replied, "I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil." So the manager told him, "Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons."'" - **Luke 16:7** - "'And how much do you owe my employer?" he asked the next man. "I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat," was the reply. "Here," the manager said, "take the bill and change it to 800 bushels."'" - **Luke 16:8** - "'The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.'" - **Luke 16:9** - "'Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.'" - **Luke 16:10** - "'If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.'" - **Luke 16:11** - "'And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?'" - **Luke 16:12** - "'And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?'" - **Luke 16:13** - "'No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6#Verse 24]] - **Luke 16:14** - "The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him." - **Luke 16:15** - "Then he said to them, 'You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.'" - **Luke 16:16** - "'Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 11#Verses 11-13]] - **Luke 16:17** - "'But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.'" - **Luke 16:18** - "'For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 19#Verse 9]] - **Luke 16:19** - "'Jesus said, 'There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.'" - **Luke 16:20** - "'At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.'" - **Luke 16:21** - "'As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.'" - **Luke 16:22** - "'Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,'" - See also [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 15#Verse 15]] - **Luke 16:23** - "'and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.'" - **Luke 16:24** - "'The rich man shouted, "Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames."'" - **Luke 16:25** - "'But Abraham said to him, "Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish."'" - **Luke 16:26** - "'And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there."'" - **Luke 16:27** - "'Then the rich man said, "Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home."'" - **Luke 16:28** - "'For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment."'" - **Luke 16:29** - "'But Abraham said, "Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote."'" - See also [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 18#Verse 18]] - **Luke 16:30** - "'The rich man replied, "No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God."'" - **Luke 16:31** - "'But Abraham said, "If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead."'" - See also [[John/John Chapter 11#Verse 44]] for the resurrection of Lazarus.