The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

Opening Comments:

Please journey with in in your copy of God’s Word to Luke 16:1-13. Page #822 in our church provided Bibles. This is God’s Holy Word:

Luke 16:1–13 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.”

Introduction:

Have you ever read something in your Bible and thought, “Whaaaat?” That was my exact reaction this week when I opened to this parable in Luke 16. After reading it several times, I finally opened a commentary, and the first sentence said:

“This passage is looked upon as one of the most difficult passages in all of Scripture to understand. Verse eight is the primary reason.”

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to Luke, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 326.

At least I wasn’t alone! This is one of those passages where, if we’re not careful, we could completely misunderstand Jesus.

Let’s look closely at the story. Jesus tells of a manager caught squandering his master’s resources. He’s about to be fired, but before the hammer drops, he makes a bold move—he slashes the debts owed to his master. And shockingly, his master praises him—not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness.

Is Jesus approving shady behavior? No. That would contradict everything we know about God’s character. Jesus isn’t commending corruption—He’s highlighting cleverness, urgency, and foresight.

This parable is a challenge: to think differently about how we use what we’ve been given. Jesus calls us to steward temporary resources with an eternal perspective.

Let’s break down this parable first and then we will apply its 4 lessons it has to teach regarding what God has given to us.

1.) A Crisis of Stewardship. (v.1-3)

In verse one were introduced to a troublesome situation:

Luke 16:1 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.

This manager ran his masters massive estate. These debtors were paid their loans in things like olive oil, wheat, and other big time produce.

Wasting- same Greek word (diaskorpizo) as the prodigal son “squandering” his inheritance (Luke 15:13).

This manager is foolishly embezzling from his master. This isn't an accident; it's theft and he gets caught.

Luke 16:2 ESV

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.’

He’s told to bring in his records and he's going to be fired. He immediately goes into crisis mode.

Luke 16:3 ESV

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.

Do you notice something? He never once thinks of owning up to his behavior and seeking forgiveness.

Application:

Understand this parable isn’t just a story about a corrupt ancient manager. Jesus is putting a mirror in front of his audience.

What is it that God has entrusted to you?

Your money? Yes.

But also:

your time,

your energy,

your relationships,

your job,

your talents,

your influence,

even your trials.

Are you stewarding those things wisely—or wasting them?

Maybe you're not stealing in the legal sense, but are you squandering what doesn’t really belong to you?

Are you spending most of your money, time, or attention on things that don’t last—while neglecting what matters to God?

And when you're caught—when the Spirit convicts you—what's your first reaction?

Like this manager, is it to scramble and cover?

To strategize your way out?

Or do you humble yourself and come clean before God?

Part of being a faithful steward is being willing to stop, admit where we’ve gone wrong, and ask for grace. And the beautiful thing is—because of Jesus—grace is always available.

2.) A Shrewd but Desperate plan. (v.4-7)

Luke 16:4 ESV

4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’

In v.5-7 we read that He goes to all of his masters debtors and start slashing what they owe. The first man owed:

“A hundred measures of oil”- roughly 875 gallons (equivalent to what 146 olive trees would produce).

He slashes the man's debt in half and walks away with a little over 400 gallons of oil for his master. Then goes to the next debtor who owed:

“A hundred measures of wheat”- Somewhere in the range of 1,000-1,200 bushels of wheat or about 70,000 lbs of wheat give or take.

He slashes that man's debt by about 20% and walks out with 80 measures of wheat for his master.

How was he able to do this?

Jewish law banned charging interest to fellow Jews (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:36), so sneaky lenders hid their commission in the loan’s principal.

The manager likely slashed the debts by cutting his own secret profit, or maybe he hoped his master wouldn’t notice or undo the deals to avoid looking stingy.

Either way, he looked like a hero, and in a culture big on reciprocity, those debtors would’ve gladly owed him a favor.

This man wasn’t ethical but he was smart. He was out of time, and he used what little authority he had while he still had it to prepare for his future. He saw the window closing, and he moved fast. He acted decisively.

Application:

So here’s the uncomfortable question for us:

Are we as spiritually shrewd and urgent as this guy was materially?

Do we use our time, money, and influence to secure temporary comfort—or eternal impact?

This dishonest manager made friends to receive him into earthly homes. Jesus is challenging us to use the passing stuff of this world in ways that matter forever.

Do you have that kind of gospel-minded shrewdness?

Are you looking at your budget, your calendar, your connections, your skills and asking:

“How can I use these for the Kingdom?” “How can I give generously now, pray faithfully now, serve intentionally now—while I still can?”

Because one day, your management of what God gave you will be over. The clock is ticking. And Jesus wants us to live—not in panic—but in purposeful, forward-looking, wise stewardship.

You don’t have to be wealthy to be strategic. You just have to be surrendered.

3.) Commended for Cleverness, not Corruption. (v.8-9)

v.8 is where things get hard to understand.

Luke 16:8 (ESV)

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness…

Understand the master isn't commending this man's dishonesty, he's commending his hustle. He flipped a crisis into a comeback.

Jesus then adds

Luke 16:8 (ESV)

…For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

What Jesus is communicating here is that the “sons of this world” (like this manager) show more concern for their earthy welfare than the “sons of light” do for spiritual pursuits.

It’s like he’s saying, “If a crook can be this clever to save his skin, why aren’t you pouring that kind of effort into eternal things?’

That stings! Hear me this morning: God has entrusted us with resources – Are we using them with the same smarts this guy used to save his neck?

We've got to get creative and intense like the world does but for the Gospel’s sake.

Take our church for example. This fall we will launch a building campaign – we're dreaming of more space, around a half million dollars, so we can share Jesus with more people. That's our shot to act shrewdly! Start praying now how you can leverage what God’s given you for his kingdom?

I read a story this week about a kid who set up a lemonade stand in his driveway so he could give to a missions project. What's your lemonade stand for Jesus?

Now look at v.9

Luke 16:9 ESV

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.

“Unrighteous wealth”- Sounds bad, Jesus here is just referring to money. It’s part of this sin cursed world. It’s not in and of it self bad, the love of money is bad.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

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.

It can be used for good.

To bless people.

To fund the gospel.

Application:

Jesus is saying just like the manager was laser focused on his next move, we should be just as focused on eternity because in the end, that is what truly matters.

Money will fail. Notice Jesus says (v.9) “when it fails” not “if it fails”.

One day, our most precious possessions will fit in a hospital drawer. The only wealth that will endure is what has been invested in others for the sake of the gospel.

Do you know that Jesus told around 40 parables and 1/3 of them are about money. Our finances are hugely connected to our spirituality.

Are we planning for eternity or just our next vacation or retirement?

Conclusion:

Church, this parable is meant to serve as a wake up call. Jesus isn't saying, "Be dishonest." He saying, "Be intentional.”

This world is full of people hustling for stuff that fades – how much more should we live with fervency for what last forever?

Let’s bring this all together in a way that applies directly to us in 4 quick statements:

Be shrewd with our God given resources.

We are all managers, and one day we will answer to God for how we've stewarded his gifts to us. The manager faced a crisis and got really shrewd really fast. We have to have that same urgency!

I've mentioned already our need to build. It isn't about a fancy space; it's about making Jesus known. Kids finding faith, families finding Hope, souls saved.

Let's get creative like that manager!

Could you give a big gift or steady pledge?

Do you have skills that could be used in the project?

Could you just commit to praying daily?

Be as sharp as that kid selling lemonade for missions.

Start asking God: "What's my part?”

We need to plan for eternity.

Look at v.9 again

Luke 16:9 ESV

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.

Friends buildings will crumble and there may come a day when this church closes its doors, but the lives we touch is an investment into eternity. You never know who may greet you in heaven because you gave to the Lord’s work.

Don't sleep on eternity like the manager didn't sleep on his crisis.

Be faithful, even in the small things.

Look at verses 10 through 12 Jesus ties the manager’s smarts to faithfulness.

Luke 16:10–12 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. 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?

The managers quick thinking got him somewhere, but Jesus wants more than smarts – he wants faithfulness.

Money is "little" compared to the "true riches" of faithfully serving the Lord.

Everything we have belongs to God. It is "that which is another's”. We have to handle it right, and when we do trusts to us "that which is your own" – eternal rewards.

Our wallets are windows to our hearts. The manager wasted his bosses wealth; we can’t waste the Lord’s.

Serve God, not money.

v.13 is a mic drop moment:

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. You cannot serve God and money.”

Serve- To be in the position of a slave and to act accordingly.

We can't split our hearts between God and money. Jesus is saying "Pick a side.”

If a crook like this manager can hustle for himself, how much more should we hustle for God?

Money isn't just about dollars and cents; it's about our hearts. A person can only serve one of two masters…He will give his time, energy, and effort to the things of the world or to God. Not both.

The things we spend our money on show our love. They are inseparably bound together.

Who is calling the shots in our lives? God or money.

We have to choose God and let him steer our lives.

This isn't about guilt – it's about grace. We've all been lousy stewards, like the manager in the parable, squandering what God has given to us.

Invitation:

Just like the managers pride stopped him from begging for forgiveness so does ours.

Jesus offers a better way. He came to pay the debt we owe. Romans 5:8 tells us that God showed his love for us “while we were still sinners” by dying for us. His cross covers our mess, offering forgiveness and eternity.

If you're here today in Christ is not your savior do what the man in the parable didn’t—repent.

Own your sin, turn from it, trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus says in:

John 6:37 ESV

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

For those already following Jesus, let's step up. Quiet your heart for a moment.

Are you serving God or money?

What's your next step for eternity?

Don't settle for living like the world. Be shrewd. Be faithful. Be generous. Use what fades to gain what lasts – for Jesus glory and the good of others.

In just a moment I'm going to pray and then the piano will play. This will be your time to meditate on and respond to the message from God's word.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank you for this head-scratching parable that wakes us up. Forgive us for chasing money over You. Fire us up to face Your call, invest wisely, and stay true to Your kingdom. Show each of us how to give, serve, and pray to reach souls. Bring those who don’t know You to trust Jesus. Fill us with Your Spirit to live for what lasts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.