Use Earthly Resources Wisely in Light of Eternity
Luke 16 opens with the Parable of the Unjust Steward. A steward was accused of wasting his master’s possessions. Knowing he would soon lose his position, he acted shrewdly by reducing the debts of his master’s debtors so that they would later receive him into their homes. Jesus was not commending the steward’s dishonesty, but his foresight in preparing for the future. He concluded:
“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” — Luke 16:8
Jesus then gave a profound principle:
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.” — Luke 16:9
Earthly wealth is temporary, but it can be used to accomplish eternal purposes. He continued:
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much…” — Luke 16:10
Then came one of His best-known statements:
“No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon.” — Luke 16:13
Money is not sinful, but it makes a terrible master.
This reminds us that everything we possess has been entrusted to us by God. Our finances, opportunities, abilities, and possessions are not ultimately ours—they are resources to be managed faithfully for His glory. Wise disciples think beyond this present life and invest in things that have eternal value. Every decision regarding money reveals something about where our hearts truly are. Christ calls us to serve God wholeheartedly, ensuring that wealth remains our servant rather than becoming our master.
God’s Standards Never Change, Even When the World Rejects Them
The Pharisees, who loved money, mocked Jesus. Luke explains:
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” — Luke 16:14
Jesus exposed the difference between human approval and God’s evaluation:
“For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” — Luke 16:15
He reminded them that although the Kingdom of God had now been proclaimed through His ministry, God’s Word remained completely trustworthy. Jesus declared:
“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.” — Luke 16:17
He then briefly reaffirmed God’s design for marriage by condemning unlawful divorce and remarriage. Even as God’s redemptive plan unfolded through Christ, His moral standards did not change.
This reminds us not to measure truth by popular opinion. Society’s values constantly change, but God’s truth remains eternal. What the world celebrates may not be what God approves, and what the world rejects may be precious in His sight. Followers of Christ must build their lives upon God’s unchanging Word rather than cultural trends, trusting that His ways are always good, wise, and true.
Eternal Destinies Are Real and Decisions Made Today Have Eternal Consequences
Jesus concluded with the account of the rich man and Lazarus. A wealthy man lived in luxury every day. Meanwhile:
“But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate.” — Luke 16:20
Both men eventually died. Lazarus was carried:
“…by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” — Luke 16:22
The rich man entered torment:
“And being in torments in Hades…” — Luke 16:23
He begged for relief, but Abraham explained:
“And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed…” — Luke 16:26
The rich man then pleaded that Lazarus be sent to warn his brothers. Abraham replied:
“They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” — Luke 16:29
When the rich man insisted that a miracle would convince them, Abraham answered:
“If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.” — Luke 16:31
The issue was never a lack of evidence but a refusal to believe God’s revealed Word.
This reminds us that eternity is real, and the choices we make in this life have everlasting consequences. Wealth, status, and comfort cannot secure eternal life, nor does poverty automatically save. What matters is whether we have responded to God’s revelation in faith. Jesus lovingly warns us to prepare for eternity now because after death, our eternal destiny is fixed. The greatest wisdom is to trust Christ today while His invitation remains open.
Deeper Waters
Luke 16 presents Jesus as the Lord of faithful stewardship, the Defender of God’s unchanging truth, and the Judge who reveals the reality of eternity. The chapter repeatedly calls us to live in light of the world to come rather than being captivated by the present age.
The Parable of the Unjust Steward has often been misunderstood. Jesus does not praise dishonesty but prudence. The steward recognised that his present actions would affect his future, and he acted decisively. Jesus’ point is that the people of God’s Kingdom should display at least the same level of wisdom in preparing for eternity as worldly people often show in preparing for temporary security. Earthly wealth, described as “unrighteous mammon,” is temporary and belongs to this fallen age. Yet when used generously for God’s purposes, it becomes a means of investing in what has eternal significance.
Jesus’ statement that “he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” establishes an important Kingdom principle. God measures faithfulness not primarily by the size of our responsibilities but by the integrity with which we handle whatever He has entrusted to us. Small acts of obedience prepare believers for greater responsibilities, both in this life and in God’s eternal Kingdom.
The declaration that “You cannot serve God and mammon” exposes the spiritual nature of materialism. Money itself is morally neutral, but it competes for the loyalty of the human heart. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus repeatedly warns against allowing possessions to become an alternative source of security, identity, or hope. The issue is worship. Every person ultimately serves one master.
The Pharisees’ love of money reveals a deeper spiritual problem. Though outwardly religious, they evaluated life according to worldly standards. Jesus therefore reminds them that God’s perspective differs radically from human values. What is applauded by society may be detestable before God because He looks beyond outward success to the motives of the heart.
Jesus’ affirmation of the permanence of the Law demonstrates that His coming does not abolish God’s moral truth but fulfils it (cf. Matthew 5:17). The Gospel brings the fulfilment of God’s promises, yet His righteous standards continue to reveal His holy character. The brief reference to marriage underscores that God’s design for human relationships is grounded in His unchanging nature rather than shifting cultural preferences.
The account of the rich man and Lazarus is unique in Luke because Jesus gives the poor man a personal name. Whether understood as a parable or as an account based on real persons, its theological message remains the same. The reversal after death echoes Mary’s song in Luke 1 and Jesus’ blessings and woes in Luke 6: God ultimately overturns the world’s false evaluations. The rich man is not condemned simply because he was wealthy, nor is Lazarus saved merely because he was poor. Rather, the rich man’s life reveals a heart indifferent to both God and neighbour, while Lazarus represents one whose hope rests in God.
The description of Hades and Abraham’s bosom provides a solemn glimpse into the intermediate state before the final resurrection. The great gulf fixed emphasises that the opportunity to respond to God belongs to this present life. Scripture consistently teaches that after death comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27), making repentance in this life urgently important.
The rich man’s request that someone rise from the dead anticipates Christ’s own resurrection. Abraham’s reply is deeply prophetic:
**”If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”**
Tragically, this is exactly what happened. Jesus did rise from the dead, yet many still refused to believe. The deepest problem is not insufficient evidence but an unwilling heart. God’s Word is fully sufficient to lead people to saving faith.
Luke 16 encourages us to: st.eward every resource with eternity in view, – remain faithful in small responsibilities, – guard their hearts against the love of money, – measure success according to God’s standards rather than the world’s, – build their lives upon the unchanging truth of Scripture, – and live each day with a clear awareness that eternity is real and Christ’s invitation to salvation must not be delayed.
Ultimately, Luke 16 points us to Jesus Christ, the faithful Lord who perfectly honoured the Father’s will, the fulfilment of God’s unchanging Word, and the risen Saviour whose resurrection confirms every warning and every promise He spoke. He calls His followers to invest in eternal treasures, worship God alone, and prepare now for the life to come. Those who trust Him discover that the greatest riches are not found in earthly possessions but in the eternal inheritance secured through His death and resurrection, where neither moth nor rust can ever destroy.