What does Luke 16:16:8 say?

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.

What does Luke 16:16:9 say?

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.

What does Luke 16:16:10 say?

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.

What does Luke 16:16:13 say?

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.

Luke 16:1-13 · Luke · Updated April 30, 2026

Parable of the Dishonest Manager

A manager, facing dismissal for wasting his master's goods, reduces the debts of his master's debtors to secure future favor. His master commends his shrewdness, leading to reflections on wealth and service.

Summary

The parable of the Dishonest Manager, found in Luke 16:1-13, presents a narrative rich with complexity and moral ambiguity. It begins with a rich man who learns that his steward has been wasting his goods (16:1-2). Faced with dismissal, the steward devises a plan to secure his future. He calls his master's debtors and reduces their debts, hoping to gain their favor (16:3-7). Surprisingly, the master commends the steward for his shrewdness, not his dishonesty, which raises questions about the moral lesson of the parable (16:8). Jesus uses this story to illustrate the shrewdness of 'the children of this world' compared to 'the children of light' (16:8). The narrative concludes with a series of teachings on the use of wealth, faithfulness in small matters, and the impossibility of serving both God and mammon (16:9-13). This parable challenges readers to consider the relationship between worldly wealth and spiritual priorities, urging a wise and discerning approach to both.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ

16:1-2

“There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.”

16:3-4

“Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship...”

16:5-7

“So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?”

16:8-9

“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely...”

16:13

“No servant can serve two masters...”

Both A and A' discuss the impossibility of serving two masters.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager has long puzzled interpreters with its seemingly paradoxical commendation of a dishonest act. The primary interpretive question centers on the moral lesson Jesus intends to convey. In the Catholic tradition, the parable is often seen as a call to prudence, encouraging believers to use material wealth to secure spiritual benefits. This aligns with the Catholic emphasis on the virtue of prudence and the proper use of resources for the Kingdom of God. Reformed Protestant interpretations focus on the theme of stewardship, viewing the parable as a reminder that all resources are ultimately God's, and believers are called to manage them wisely in preparation for eternity. This reflects the Reformed emphasis on the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of believers as stewards. The Eastern Orthodox perspective highlights the need for discernment, urging believers to prioritize spiritual wealth over material possessions, consistent with Orthodox teachings on Theosis and the transformation of the believer. Each tradition offers a unique lens through which to understand the parable, yet all converge on the call to use earthly resources in a manner that aligns with divine purposes.

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