Parable of the Unjust Steward (Shrewd Manager)

Parable of the Unjust Steward (Shrewd Manager)

Luke 16:1–13

Opening: A Manager Called to Account
Jesus tells of a rich man who learns his manager has been wasting possessions. The manager faces dismissal and a final audit. With time short, he calls in the master’s debtors and reduces their bills. The lord commends the manager’s foresight. Jesus then turns to His disciples and draws out lessons for every steward of God’s gifts—use what is passing to secure what endures, prove trustworthy in small things, and choose your master with a single heart.

What the Story Shows
The manager awakens to reality: accountability is coming, resources remain for a moment, and future relationships will matter. He leverages the present to improve his reception later. Jesus identifies the insight: people immersed in this world often plan with sharp attention to consequences. Disciples need equal clarity with higher goals. Wealth fails; judgment stands; relationships shaped by generosity follow into “everlasting dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

Stewardship: Ownership, Trust, and Audit Day
The field, assets, and ledgers belong to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). We manage time, money, abilities, relationships, and influence on His terms (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). Scripture ties stewardship to review: “Give an account of your stewardship” (Luke 16:2). A wise heart lives today with that meeting in view.

“Make Friends” with Fading Wealth
“Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, that when it fails, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings” (Luke 16:9). Money belongs to the temporary order. Its highest use is to bless people and advance the Lord’s work so that eternal fruit remains. The New Testament names this outcome: treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21), a harvest of righteousness and “fruit that abounds to your account” (Philippians 4:17), a firm foundation for the age to come (1 Timothy 6:17–19). Generosity toward the needy, support for the gospel, and quiet mercy toward the weak turn currency into welcome.

Faithfulness in Little and in Much
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Daily choices around bills, promises, time, and truth tell the story of the heart. A disciple handles small sums with clean hands, returns what is due, pays fairly, refuses deception, and speaks straight. The Lord calls this training for “true riches” (Luke 16:11). If we prove true in the lesser, we are prepared for the greater.

Single Allegiance: God or Mammon
“No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13). Wealth makes claims—security, status, and control. The Father claims the whole heart. The ledger and the calendar reveal the throne. Jesus sets a clear fork in the road: pursue money as master or use money as a tool under God’s rule.

Hearing in a World That Scoffs
Luke notes that the Pharisees, lovers of money, ridiculed Jesus, and He replied, “God knows your hearts” (Luke 16:14–15). Public applause can crown the wrong loyalties. The Lord’s eyes reach the motives that shape every transaction. A disciple seeks commendation at that level.

Practical Wisdom for Today’s Stewards
Budget with eternity in view. Plan an intentional portion for benevolence and sound teaching. Keep honest books. Settle debts promptly. Practice contentment (Hebrews 13:5). Write wills that reflect kingdom priorities. Learn to say “enough,” and let surplus flow toward people and purposes that honor Christ.

Obedient Response to the King
The Lord links approval to doing the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21). Scripture describes the pathway into Christ: hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:16), repent (Acts 17:30), confess His name (Romans 10:9–10), and be baptized to wash away sins (Acts 22:16), rising to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). Then continue in all He commanded (Matthew 28:20). Stewardship grows inside that life of obedience.

Conclusion: Use Today to Prepare for Forever
The manager’s window was short; ours is, too. Resources pass from hand to hand. The account appointment approaches. Arrange your affairs so that people helped by your faith and generosity will be there to welcome you. Prove faithful in the little. Choose God as Master. Let every decision show it.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline

• Context and Audience
  • Setting: Jesus speaks to disciples; Pharisees listening (Luke 16:1, 14)
  • Theme continuity: money, mercy, and eternity in Luke 15–16
• Parable Retold (Luke 16:1–8)
  • Accusation, impending audit, swift plan
  • Debt reductions, social capital, commendation for foresight
• Doctrinal Anchors
  • Ownership: God owns; we manage (Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2)
  • Accountability: “Give an account” (Luke 16:2; Romans 14:12)
  • Transience of wealth: “When it fails” (Luke 16:9; Proverbs 23:4–5)
• “Make Friends” Explained (Luke 16:9)
  • Aim: eternal welcome
  • Means: generous giving, benevolence, gospel support (Matthew 6:19–21; Philippians 4:15–17; 1 Timothy 6:17–19; Luke 12:33)
• Faithfulness Principle (Luke 16:10–12)
  • Little → much; earthly → true riches
  • Tests: honesty, promises, time, integrity (Proverbs 11:1; Ephesians 4:28)
• Mastery Principle (Luke 16:13)
  • Exclusive allegiance
  • Diagnostics: budget, schedule, ambitions
• Warning to Scoffers (Luke 16:14–15)
  • God knows the heart; public esteem misleads
• Applications
  • Personal: budget for generosity; avoid debt traps; refuse shady gain
  • Family: teach children stewardship; practice open ledgers and simple living
  • Congregational: transparent benevolence; prioritize sound teaching; support evangelism
• Obedient Entry and Growth
  • Hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized (Romans 10:17; Mark 16:16; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21)
  • Continue in all He commanded (Matthew 28:20)
• Closing Appeal
  • Plan with eternity in view, prove faithful in little, choose God as Master

Call to Action

1. Review last month’s spending. Identify one recurring expense to reduce and redirect that amount to benevolence or gospel work.
2. Settle any outstanding obligation this week. Clean ledgers build trustworthy habits.
3. If you have not obeyed the gospel, arrange today to be baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16) and begin a steward’s life under the Lord’s rule.

Scripture Reference List

• Luke 16:1–13 — Parable, lessons on foresight, faithfulness, and single allegiance
• Luke 16:14–15 — Lovers of money scoff; God knows the heart
• Matthew 6:19–21 — Treasure in heaven directs the heart
• Luke 12:33 — Give alms; unfailing treasure above
• Philippians 4:15–17 — Giving as “fruit” to your account
• 1 Timothy 6:17–19 — Do good, be generous, store up a good foundation
• Proverbs 23:4–5 — Riches sprout wings; do not trust wealth
• Proverbs 11:1 — Honest measures please God
• Ephesians 4:28 — Work and share with those in need
• Romans 14:12 — Each will give account to God
• Matthew 7:21 — Entrance tied to doing the Father’s will
• Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing
• Mark 16:16 — Belief and baptism in the Lord’s commission
• Romans 10:9–10 — Confession of Christ
• Acts 22:16 — Arise, be baptized, wash away sins
• Romans 6:3–4 — Buried with Christ, raised to new life
• 1 Peter 3:21 — Baptism as appeal for a good conscience
• Matthew 28:20 — Continue in all He commanded

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO