Luke 16:1-18

16:1-8 | This parable is difficult to interpret, primarily because it appears that Jesus commended the steward (essentially, the household manager) for altering a business ledger to benefit himself. However, Jesus did not praise the steward’s illicit activity (He called him unjust); He merely noted the man’s effective use of resources. If only believers would apply righteous principles as shrewdly as this steward (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10).

16:9-12 | How people handle money is a good indicator of their heart condition and in part, determines what kind of assets and responsibilities the Lord entrusts to them, both in this age and the age to come. Individuals who use money primarily to enrich themselves prove untrustworthy of the true riches of God’s kingdom and will not receive them. On the other hand, the wise and generous use of money yields much greater things in the future (1 Chron. 29:14; Prov. 11:25).

16:13 | People serve money (mammon) when their sole aim is to live as comfortably as possible, with little concern for the poor or disadvantaged. The world operates this way, and if God’s people choose to operate similarly, they cannot serve Him. The two ways of living are diametrically opposed to one another.

16:14-15 | The sin of the religious leaders (lovers of money) was not just spurning the Lord. They tried to amass as much money and power as they could without concern for others, while camouflaging their greed with religious words and practices (Matt. 6:19).

16:16-18 | To appear righteous and make grand theological pronouncements (as the Pharisees did) matters not at all in comparison to heeding God’s Word in even its smallest point (tittle). In everything, the believer’s actions must match what God says – from how he or she handles money to marriage.