Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-13)
What is the Parable of the Dishonest Manager in Luke 16:1-13?
In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of a dishonest manager who is about to be fired and quickly devises a plan to secure his future. He reduces the debts of his master’s debtors so that they will be inclined to help him later. Surprisingly, the master commends the manager’s shrewdness. Jesus then teaches that worldly wealth should be used wisely for eternal purposes, and he emphasizes that one cannot serve both God and money.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 16:1-13 and Commentary
Luke 16:1-2 – A Manager in Trouble
Jesus begins, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer'" (Luke 16:1-2, NRSV).
The manager is accused of financial mismanagement, and his job is on the line. This sets up the tension of the parable—he is about to lose everything. In the ancient world, managers had significant authority over their master's resources, but they were also expected to be trustworthy. This man, however, had failed in his duty. Rather than protesting his innocence, he immediately starts thinking about what to do next, signaling that the accusation is likely true.
This moment forces a question: what do we do when we realize we’ve messed up? The dishonest manager doesn’t waste time in denial or self-pity. He gets to work securing his future. And Jesus, rather than condemning him outright, draws an unexpected lesson from his actions.
Luke 16:3-4 – A Desperate Plan
"Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes'" (Luke 16:3-4, NRSV).
The manager takes an honest look at himself—he doesn’t have the strength for manual labor, and he has too much pride to beg. Instead of resigning himself to failure, he devises a plan. He understands that relationships and generosity will be his best security in the days ahead.
There’s something to admire here. He is self-aware and proactive. Jesus isn’t praising his dishonesty, but he is pointing out the manager’s ability to think ahead. He acts with urgency, which is precisely what Jesus wants his listeners to do when it comes to matters of eternity.
Remember, starting in Luke 9, Jesus resolutely turns his face toward Jerusalem. His tone changes and the theme of urgency comes up repeatedly. Here is a recounting of the Jesus’ tone of urgency, imploring people to take matters of the soul seriously.
• Luke 12:35-40 – Jesus tells his followers to be ready, like servants waiting for their master to return. “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour” (Luke 12:40, NRSV). The message? Time is short—stay alert.
• Luke 13:6-9 – The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree warns that a fruitless tree will be cut down if it doesn’t start producing. God’s patience is real, but it’s not limitless.
• Luke 14:16-24 – In the Parable of the Great Banquet, those who delay accepting the invitation to God’s kingdom are shut out. The feast is ready—don’t put off responding.
• Luke 15 – The lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son all show God’s urgency in seeking and saving the lost. The time to return is now.
In Luke 16, Jesus continues this theme. The dishonest manager recognizes he must act quickly before he loses everything. Jesus’ lesson? If a corrupt manager can grasp urgency, how much more should Christ’s followers be urgent about eternal things?
Luke 16:5-7 – Reducing Debts
The manager calls in his master’s debtors and quickly cuts deals with them: "How much do you owe my master?" One owes a hundred jugs of olive oil; the manager tells him to write fifty. Another owes a hundred containers of wheat; the manager tells him to make it eighty (Luke 16:5-7, NRSV).
Scholars debate whether the manager is cutting out his own commission, reducing unfair interest, or simply cheating his master further. Whatever the case, he is securing favor with these debtors so that when he is out of a job, he will have people willing to help him. He’s using wealth to build relationships that will benefit him down the road.
This is where Jesus' lesson starts to emerge—earthly wealth is temporary, but it can be used in ways that have lasting impact. What if, instead of hoarding resources, we used them to invest in people and in God's kingdom?
This passage is a test for us in some ways - can a “bad guy” teach us a good lesson?
Luke 16:8-9 – Commended for Shrewdness
"And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes" (Luke 16:8-9, NRSV).
This is where things get interesting. The master isn’t upset—he actually praises the manager’s cleverness. Jesus doesn’t say, "Go be dishonest like this guy," but he does point out that worldly people often show more wisdom in handling their affairs than believers do with eternal matters.
Jesus challenges his listeners to be just as strategic—but in a way that honors God. Use wealth in a way that stores up eternal treasure. Invest in relationships, generosity, and things that last beyond this life.
Luke 16:10-12 – Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much
Jesus shifts the focus: "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much" (Luke 16:10, NRSV).
Jesus’ words here expose a fundamental truth—faithfulness isn’t situational; it’s a habit. Some people think they’ll be generous once they have more, or they’ll start acting with integrity when it really matters. But Jesus says the way we handle small things is the way we’ll handle big things. If someone cuts corners when no one’s watching, they’ll do the same when the stakes are higher. If money drives their decisions now, it will control them later.
Worldly wealth is a testing ground. It’s not the true treasure—it’s temporary, fleeting, and ultimately insignificant in eternity. But God watches how we manage it. Are we using it selfishly, or are we handling it as stewards of the kingdom? Jesus makes it clear: if we’re unfaithful with earthly resources, why would God trust us with heavenly ones?
This passage flips our perspective on money. It’s not just about what we have—it’s about how we use it. Wealth is a tool, not a goal. If we’re faithful with it, God entrusts us with more—not necessarily more money, but more responsibility, influence, and eternal significance.
Luke 16:13 – You Cannot Serve God and Wealth
Jesus concludes with a well-known statement: "No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth" (Luke 16:13, NRSV).
Luke 16:13 is a defining moment in this passage. Jesus isn’t just offering financial advice—He’s drawing a hard line between competing allegiances. Money is a powerful force. It promises security, influence, and comfort. But Jesus warns that wealth isn’t neutral—it demands devotion.
The word “serve” here is key. It’s not about using money, but serving it. A servant is bound to his master’s will. If money calls the shots in your life—if it dictates your decisions, consumes your thoughts, or determines your worth—then it has taken the place of God. And Jesus says that’s an impossible situation.
This isn’t a new teaching. In the wilderness, Satan tempted Jesus with “all the kingdoms of the world” (Luke 4:5-7), but Jesus refused to worship anything but God. Now, He warns His followers of the same test. You will serve something. If it’s money, your heart will pull away from God. But if it’s God, money will take its rightful place—a tool, not a master.
Jesus forces us to choose. One leads to eternal security, the other to spiritual ruin. Who—or what—are we truly serving?
Luke 16:1-13 Meaning for Today
Use what you have for God’s kingdom. The dishonest manager used his position and resources to secure his future. Jesus challenges us to be just as shrewd—not for selfish gain, but in storing up eternal treasure through generosity and kingdom-minded living.
Be faithful in the small things. How we handle money and responsibilities reveals our character. If we are trustworthy in little, God can entrust us with more.
Money is a tool, not a master. Jesus makes it clear: we can’t serve both God and wealth. One will always take priority. The question is, which one are we truly serving?
FAQ for Luke 16:1-13
1. Why did Jesus commend the dishonest manager?
Jesus wasn’t praising dishonesty but highlighting the manager’s shrewdness. He used foresight and urgency to secure his future, illustrating how believers should be just as intentional in their spiritual lives.
2. What does this parable teach about money?
Jesus teaches that money is a tool that should be used wisely for God’s purposes. Wealth itself isn’t evil, but it can be a stumbling block if it replaces God as our ultimate priority.
3. What does “You cannot serve both God and wealth” mean?
This statement in Luke 16:13 underscores the impossibility of divided allegiance. One’s heart will be fully devoted either to God or to material gain—true discipleship requires choosing God over earthly wealth.
4. How does this parable apply to Christians today?
It challenges believers to be wise stewards of resources, using them in ways that align with God’s kingdom. It also warns against allowing money to become an idol.
