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LUKE 16

JESUS TEACHES IN PARABLES ILLUSTRATING BOTH THE RICH + THE POOR

Jesus shares a parable with the disciples describing a wealthy man and his manager. When the wealthy man hears that his manager is not stewarding his money well, he fires the manager. In a desperate attempt to fix what he had done wrong, the manager decided to summon the people who owed the wealthy man money. Whoever owed one-hundred portions could pay the manager only eighty or fifty percent. Although he collected less, he collected the money quickly. The wealthy man praises the manager for his shrewd and quick-minded work.

In this parable, Jesus points out that many are more shrewd and astute about money and worldly possessions than the disciples are about spiritual matters and eternity. He instructs them not to be dishonest or dishonorable, but to be alert and pay attention to what is happening around them, noting that whoever is able to be trusted with a little will also be trustworthy with a great amount.

The parable ends with a warning about valuing money. Jesus says that no one can serve both God and money, they must love one and hate the other. The Pharisees, who highly value money, hear this message and ridicule Him. Jesus responds, saying that God knows their hearts and hates their worship of money.

In Luke 16:16, Jesus says “The Law and the Prophets were until John,” showing how the Old Testament told of Jesus until John the Baptist arrived to prepare the way for His arrival. Jesus does not dismiss or refute the Old Testament, but instead completes and fulfills what has been written.

Jesus speaks against divorce, referring to remarriage as adultery. If this sounds harsh or unfair, read John 8:1-11, where He shows compassion for a woman caught in adultery. He has high standards for righteousness, but also abundant forgiveness and compassion. Jesus' teachings and actions reflect the dual aspects of His character: full of truth and full of grace.

Jesus tells a story of a wealthy man and a poor man named Lazarus. This Lazarus is different from His close friend and the brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus is poverty-stricken and covered in painful sores. He is desperate for food and desires to eat the crumbs from the wealthy man’s table. The poor man dies and is carried off by angels, taken to heaven and seated next to Abraham’s side. Because they highly valued Abraham, this idea of a poor beggar with wounds next to Abraham in heaven would be extremely offensive to the Pharisees.

When the wealthy man dies, he cries out from Hades, asking Abraham for mercy. But Abraham does not provide and instead says that he will not pass through from Heaven to Hell for the wealthy man. The man asked Abraham to send a sign to his family, warning them to repent. Abraham makes the profound case that those who have not responded to the warnings of the Law and the Prophets will also not respond to the resurrection.

STUDY QUESTIONS

In the parable of the dishonest manager, how did Jesus emphasize the importance of good stewardship (Luke 16:1–12)?