Luke 16:9-13
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-If you would, please turn back to Luke 16.
We’re going to be looking at...
…the Parable of the Unjust Steward again today.
Last week, we mostly went over the parable, itself.
(We only had time to consider...
…Jesus’ primary application of it in (Verses 8-9)
But I mentioned to you last week, that...
…there were several sub-points being made...
…in the verses that follow...
…that were also very important...
…and needed to not be rushed through.
So, those are going to be...
…our primary focus today.
-But, we are going to read the WHOLE thing again...
(all the way down to Verse 13)
…ask for the Lord’s help...
…then do a short review of Verses 1-9...
…and then jump back in at Verse 10.
Please follow along as I read.
This is the Word of the Living God:
Luke 16:1–15 (ESV)
1 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’
3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.
4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’
5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will 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 he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
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Pray
-Let me briefly remind you...
…of a couple of introductory matters...
…before we even review last week’s Verses.
Remember the assumed setting:
Luke 15:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable:
The three “lost Parables”
Then, in Chapter 16, Verse 1, we had read:
Luke 16:1 (ESV)
1 He also said to the disciples. . .
Some of which, had been specified to be...
Formerly, financially-dishonest, TAX COLLECTORS.
(Do you think these folks...
…were in need of some spiritual instruction...
…on how to properly handle material wealth?)
So, it seems particularly relevant to me...
…that the subject of the parable...
…was what it was:
Look at the rest of Verse 1:
Luke 16:1 (ESV)
1 . . . “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
Remember:
Luke 12–24 for You (Dishonesty Commended?)
A manager was typically a servant who was responsible for overseeing the operation of the entire household, and so it was imperative to have a person who was both competent and trustworthy in that position.
This steward, seemed to be competent enough...
…but he was far from trustworthy.
-Remember what he did...
…after he had been found out and fired:
Luke 16:4–5 (ESV)
4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’
(not as a charity case)
(willfully, as an honored guest)
5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
And he took the account ledgers...
…and significantly reduced everyone’s debt...
…before he turned in the books...
…to his master’s new steward...
…essentially, giving each vendor...
…tens of thousands of dollars (today’s equivalent)...
…of his master’s money...
…and in doing that...
...ensuring a nice retirement from them, for himself.
-And then, in Verse 8, we read this:
Luke 16:8–9 (ESV)
8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
George Knight offers some helpful clarifications:
Many people are disturbed by this parable because Jesus seems to be commending a scheming manger for his dishonesty.
But notice that Jesus didn’t commend the man. The manager was praised for his shrewdness by the rich man, his employer (v. 8a). Jesus’ observations on the manager’s actions begin with the second part of verse 8.
After his employer praised the man, Jesus observed that believers—the sons of light—can learn a lesson from this schemer. He showed initiative and foresight in planning for the future. Followers of Jesus should do the same. — George W. Knight
That was the first and primary application:
Investing earthly capital, for heavenly reward
Being shrewd in preparing for our eternal retirement
The principle was essentially this:
Matthew 6:19–20 (ESV)
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...
And this:
33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail...
All of which can all be summed up...
…in this simple precept:
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 ...seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...
-Now, Verse 10, contains a secondary, but similar principle.
But, before we read it...
…remember that axiom from 1 Corinthians 4:2—
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)
2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Let’s read on:
Luke 16:10 (ESV)
10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
This is such an absolute and universal principle.
It’s.
Just.
Simply.
True.
We could all attest to it...
…in countless real-life scenarios.
But it’s a principle wherein...
…we tend to deceive ourselves.
We tend to think things like:
-If I was only entrusted with more important tasks...
I would be a much better servant.
-If I only made more money...
I would be more faithful in my giving.
I would be more charitable.
I would be more hospitable.
-If I could only be recognized for my abilities...
Then I could/would shine brightly!
(We all struggle with elements of that, don’t we?)
But, the Biblical reality, is:
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Chapter 16)
Fidelity depends not on the amount entrusted, but on the sense of responsibility. He that feels this in little will feel it in much, and conversely.
I’ve found this to be almost ubiquitous.
Find a man who’s impeccably faithful...
…in cleaning the toilets...
…and that same man will be faithful...
…in whatever you ask him to do!
(Assuming he has the ability to do it)
-Now, while this saying is...
Basically, universally true...
Broadly applicable to almost any situation...
We need to recognize, that...
…Jesus is explicitly applying it here...
…to the realm of finances:
Look at Verse 11
Luke 16:11 (ESV)
11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
“unrighteous wealth” = “worldly wealth”
i.e., earthly money
“riches” is supplied by translators.
Literally just = “entrust to you what is true...”
So, first of all, that assumes a primacy:
It assumes that...
Spiritual Capital...
Is more important...
Than Earthly Capital.
And it’s exhorting us to...
…take serious our fidelity...
…even in the realm of those lesser things.
And a very important application of that is...
…that if we want to do great things for God...
…we first need to be faithful...
…in the seemingly mundane and menial things...
…that God has already called us to.
Things like:
Being a faithful husband or wife
Being a faithful father or mother
Being a faithful brother or sister (In Christ as well)
Being a faithful church-member
Being a faithful boss or employee
Being a faithful Christian citizen
Think about this:
1 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV)
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer...
2 ...must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
To Titus, he said:
Titus 1:6–10 (ESV)
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
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So, a man who aspires to lead the church...
Must, first, be faithful in all of the areas...
…of his earthly responsibility and conduct.
-So, Young men, (or old) if you aspire to the ministry:
Start with becoming a good Christian man, first.
-If you aspire to become an influential leader...
...and/or a great, powerful preacher...
Start by Repenting of those vain aspirations...
Humble yourself before God
And work on first becoming a faithful servant to his people.
(If you aren’t faithful “in a very little” . . .
...You can’t be commended to the work of “much”)
-This principle is particularly applicable...
...to the Christian ministry.
But it’s also applicable to...
…every aspect of the Christian life...
(And in this context, especially our finances)
If we want to be entrusted with “true riches” ...
We have to prioritize being faithful with our “unrighteous wealth”
-Now, look at Verse 12.
It adds another element to this principle.
Once again, it is the element of Stewardship.
Luke 16:12 (ESV)
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?
Brethren, we need to remember...
…something very important here:
Ultimately speaking:
Psalm 24:1 (NASB95)
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains...
Everything we have… is his!
We are all his stewards!
The only question is...
…whether or not we’re going to be faithful in that stewardship.
Simply put:
Believer’s Bible Commentary (V. Parable of the Unjust Steward (16:1–13))
All that we have, our money, our time, our talents—belong to the Lord, and we are to use them for Him.
Remember what Jesus said...
…to the faithful tenants in the Parable of the Talents?
It parallels our text in an encouraging way.
Our text expresses the...
...negative aspect of the principle.
This one expresses the positive:
Matthew 25:23 (ESV)
23 . . . ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
(Ultimately, that is the “true wealth” of verse 11)
I know that the message of that Parable...
…is a lot deeper than that surface-level reading...
But, the undergirding principle is the same.
-Alright, finally, Verse 13:
If things hadn’t been...
…stated absolutely enough in the other three verses...
Verse 13 clarifies it plainly.
Here are the terms, Christian:
Luke 16:13 (ESV)
13 No servant can serve two masters...
“can” denotes ability.
Now, there’s nothing complicated about that statement.
If you’re a servant...
…you are committed to fulfilling...
…the will and desires of your master.
So, unless you have two masters...
…who both want the exact same thing from you...
…you literally CAN’T serve them both.
It’s impossible
Their demands upon your life...
…are mutually exclusive.
One or the other of them...
Is going to direct your actions
Is going to set the course for your life
-Now, of course, when it comes to God’s people...
God’s claim over their lives...
…is/always has been absolute:
Exodus 20:2–3 (ESV)
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
Deuteronomy 6:13–14 (ESV)
13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.
14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you—
Joshua 24:14–15 (ESV)
14 ...fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
15 ...choose this day whom you will serve...
You’re going to serve something...
And you can’t serve both.
Here’s why:
Luke 16:13 (ESV)
13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other...
There’s no middle ground, here.
One or the other of them...
…is going to have your heart!
That means that they will:
Have your allegiance
Be what you desire
Be your all consuming passion
Mike McKinley says this:
In the end, our relationship to money is one of love and service. Because money is so powerful and seductive, we are easily tempted to give our whole lives in service to it.
Money can purchase access to the best food and medicine, it can insulate us from the vagaries of the market, and it can open the door to the most exciting experiences.
It gives us a measure of safety, security, and happiness that can seem much more tangible and immediate than God’s provision of all of those things for his people.
For those reasons, money makes a powerful competitor to God’s claim on our hearts and lives.
The miser, the workaholic, the over-spender, and the person who spends a great portion of their time worrying about their finances each lives in service to unrighteous wealth.
God’s Word is true, brethren...
…and it warns us, that...
Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
21 ...where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
And, Jesus states the proposition plainly...
...at the end of Verse 13:
13 ...You cannot serve God and money.”
Not, you “should not”
But you “cannot”
-You (and I) lack the capacity to do it...
-And he doesn’t allow it.
-The warnings of Scripture, here, are abundant.
But this is probably the most poignant:
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul talks about someone who...
1 Timothy 6:3 (ESV)
3 ...does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
He says that such a one is:
1 Timothy 6:4 (ESV)
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy...
etc.
Then, after describing the fruit of their depravity...
He concludes with this characteristic:
1 Timothy 6:5 (ESV)
5 ...imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Who is the ultimate master in that?
Mammon
Not Ministry
-He goes on to say:
1 Timothy 6:6–8 (ESV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain...
8 ...if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Then he warns us about this:
(and notice the language of the affections of the heart)
1 Timothy 6:9–12 (ESV)
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life...
This is the imperative of our parable.
It’s all pointing us in the same direction:
To look away from all lesser things
And love and serve our Master...
with all our heart
with all our soul
with all our mind
with all our strength
And brethren, that’s not something...
…that comes natural to us in our fallen state...
...it takes the Spirit of God...
…to really and truly be able to do that!
Let’s ask for his help.