Parable of the Unrighteous Steward, today's verses are Lk 16:9-12

We continue our look at the (somewhat tough to grapple with) parable of the "unrighteous steward" found in Lk 16:1-13

The general overview of the parable can be found HERE.





The in-depth look at Lk 16:13 can be found HERE. 

The verses we will look at in-depth are Lk 16:9-12    In a parable we need to understand the explanation or application first IF Jesus gives one.  For this parable He does.  So that is what we will look at first.  This will help us when looking at the parable itself.

My guidelines for studying a parable were culled from the following two books:

• Understanding and Applying the Bible by Robertson McQuilkin
• The New How To Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

As I stated in my last TWO posts this is the first parable I have truly tried to dive into.  So my posts may be a bit more rambling than usual as I tried to include the actual process of coming to terms with various parts of the parable.

Luke 16:9-12 (NASB)
⁹ "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.
¹⁰ "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
¹¹ "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
¹² "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

Grammatical and other Considerations

•  
• Lk 16:9 begins Jesus explanation and/or application of the parable.  He lets us know this by the phrase:  "And I say to you...."
• The last three verses (Lk 16:10-12 ) are connected by the word "Therefore" in Lk 16:11 and the word "And" in Lk 16:12 These three verses make up a complete thought and need to be studied together.
• The word faithful is used four times and is contrasted with the word unrighteous (used 3 times)

My Questions

• What does Jesus mean by "make friends"??
• Who are "they"??
• And how and why would "they" receive us into the eternal dwellings?  Does He mean heaven?
• What is unrighteous wealth? And why would we need to use it well compared to the the true riches?
• It is interesting that Jesus would expect us to be faithful with that which is another's before being able to be faithful with that which is our own. Why is that?

Verse Cross References

• Lk 16:9 --  Lk 11:39-42  Mt 6:24  1Ti 6:10   Mt 19:21  Lk 12:33-34  Lk 14:13-14  Pr 19:17  Ecc 11:1  Isa 58:6-7   Da 4:27  Mt 6:19  Mt 25:35-40  1Ti 6:17-19  Pr 23:5  1Ti 6:10  2Co 5:1  1Ti 6:18  Jude 1:21 
• Thoughts --  Still a little unclear.  1)  It is pretty clear that the earthly wealth will eventually fail no matter how much one has or doesn't have.  So we should prepare for and stive for eternal riches.  2)  Make friends?  It seems that Jesus is just saying to be generous, to give to use whatever wealth we may for the good of others.  The story of the rich man and Lazarus that is at the end of Lk 16  would seem to indicate this....  Although this is not the sole condition for getting into heaven!  However Mt 25:35-40 seems to indicate that when we are charitable towards other persons we are in effect being charitable towards Jesus who will speak for us.  But we still have to believe first!
• Lk 16:10 -- Mt 25:21-23 Lk 19:17 Heb 3:2 Amos 8:4-7 Isa 33:15-16 Pro 19:1 Pro 16:8 Psa 37:21 Pr 28:20
• Thoughts -- The parable in Mt 25:14-29 seems to have some relationship to these thoughts. We are to be good stewards of whatever it is the Lord gives us no matter how little or how much we are given! Jesus is saying in Lk 16:10 that how faithful we are with what we are given is not to be in proportion to what we were give BUT it is a reflection of our character. (this stings a bit!!)
• Lk 16:11 -- Lk 16:9 Lk 12:33 Lk 18:22 James 2:5 Rev 3:18 1Co 4:2 Mt 25:14-29 !!!
• Thoughts -- Hmm. Very few cross-references. Seems to follow closely to what Lk 16:10 was saying but Jesus is not referring to amount of riches here! He is comparing unrighteous wealth (worldly money) with true riches (the riches that can only be found in the kingdom of God..?!?) Lk 12:33 and Mt 6:20 help here. Jesus has more than once made mention of the temporary nature of worldly wealth versus the everlasting nature of riches to be found in the kingdom of God. BUT! It is good to remember that all we have on earth has been given to us by God. Any and every cent I have earned was because God provided it and allowed me to have it!! Job 1:21 And if I can't treat those gifts well, how are am I to be held responsible for even greater gifts? That does seem to be the point of this verse.
• Lk 16:12 -- Lk 19:13-26 Lk 10:42 Col 3:3-4 1Pe 1:3-5
• Thoughts -- Again very few cross-references. I must admit I find this verse a bit more confusing but the parable of the talents from Lk 19:13-26 and Mt 25:14-29 help to make some sense of it. I need to look at the words a bit more and pray a bit more for understanding of this verse.

Important terms

Friends (G5384):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 11:19  Lk 7:6  Lk 11:5-8  Jn 3:29  Jn 15:13-15 
• Definition -- loved, dear, befriended, and kind.

Receive (G1209):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 10:14  Mt 10:40  Lk 9:48  Lk 16:4  (as welcome!)  James 1:21 
• Definition -- receive, admit, welcome, accept

Eternal (G166) dwellings (G4633):

• Definition -- eternal means what it seems to mean.  The word translated as dwelling could be a tent but was often meant to be tabernacle, the sacred tent of the Jews.  So Jesus seems (?) to be implying heaven.  (?)

Faithful (G4103):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 24:25 Mt 25:21 Jn 20:27 Ac 16:15 1Co 1:9 1Co 4:2 1Co 10:13 Gal 3:9 (translated as believer) Eph 1:1 1Th 5:24 2Th 3:3 1Ti 3:1 (often translated as trustworthy) Heb 3:2 Heb 3:5 Heb 11:11 1Jn 1:9 Rev 19:11
• Thoughts -- can be believing, trustworthy! As God or Jesus is OFTEN referred to as faithful, it is a very high standard! One we should all aim for. Jesus wants us to be faithful with what we have been given.
• Definition -- Trustworthy, faithful in duty! Worthy of credit!

Unrighteous (G94):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Lk 18:11 Mt 5:45 Ac 24:15 1Co 6:1 Heb 6:10 1Pe 3:18 2Pe 2:9
• Definition -- Vine's says: "not in conformity"..... The Complete Word Study Dictionary elaborates with: falling short of the righteousness required by divine laws, lacking the imputed righteousness of faith, unjust toward others, fraudulent or deceitful

Wealth (G3126):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:24  Lk 16:9    Lk 16:11 Lk 16:13 
• Thoughts -- This word is only used 4 times in the New Testament and only by Jesus, Himself. 
• Definition -- the personification of riches.  According to the Complete Word Study Dictionary Jesus is personifying mammon, the pagan god of materialism.

Entrust (G4100):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 9:28   Mt 21:22  (almost always translated as believe or believed)  Jn 2:24  Jn 3:15-16  1Co 9:17  Gal 2:7  1Pe 4:19 
• Thoughts -- Seems to be almost always the word believe or believed. 
• Definition --  to believe or place confidence in, to trust.  To have something committed to one's trust or charge.

Another's (G245):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 17:25-26   Jn 10:5  Ac 7:6  Ro 14:4  Ro 15:20  2Co 10:15 
• Definition -- belonging to another.  Not one's own.

That which is your own (5212):

• Definition -- something that is yours or is assured to you.

Factual information from Study Helps

• Still searching for answers I had to go to the commentaries for these verses to get a little more clear on the explanation of the parable. 
• The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:  Say quite succinctly that earthly property can be used to help others whose gratitude will ensure a welcome in eternity.  Lk 16:9  If we can't be trusted to use money wisely we do not deserve to have spiritual responsibilities entrusted to us.  Lk 16:11 
• The AMG Concise Bible Commentary:    Points out that we are all stewards of money (or anything we have) as it all belongs to God!  He is allowing us to manage it.  Lk 16:10-12     Also points out that if Christians had the diligence and foresight is spiritual matters that others have in worldly matters we would be better people!  Lk 16:9 
• The only thing that is holding me up is that the AMG Complete Word Study Bible Notes say that it is important to understand that the steward was unjustly accused as the word used in Lk 16:1  is derived from diaballo which means "to accuse falsely".    It is only used in this way (tense) in Luke 16:1  which seems to indicate it is relevant to the parable!!  If it wasn't Jesus would have just said the manager found out the steward was stealing.  Instead Jesus says the steward was unjustly accused!
• The paragraphs above are good as to the general sense of Jesus' explanation of the parable.  However is there something to the steward being unjustly accused that lends weight to the story!??  Is there ANY link to the fact that Jesus was unjustly accused????  And that he allows us to present our (spiritual) accounts as paid in full??  The Complete Word Study Bible Notes also state the word removed in Lk 16:4 is a word used by the Greek's to denote one's removal from this world to the next!!  But Jesus isn't the steward I don't think.  He isn't looking for favor?  I could very much be fishing here.  However the word removed in 16:4 is important.  As Jesus IS telling a parable that is true to life but is explicitly dealing with our future spiritual lives!  Okay so that much is true!

What we can say for certain so far:

1. Jesus is telling us a parable to help us prepare for our lives after our time on earth.
2. We are to use money for good, to "make friends", and help others so that we will be welcomed in the eternal dwellings after this earth.
3. We are stewards of the money and gifts that God gives us.
4. If we can't be trusted to use money well, how can we be trusted to use even greater gifts well?
5. If we are faithful with the little things we will be faithful with a lot! 
6. The steward erased people's debts as "paid in full" so as to curry favor with them after he was "removed".
7. According to the word translated as reported or accused in Lk 16:1 the steward was falsely accused. 
8. And we know that Jesus was also falsely accused by the religious leaders of the day which led to his death on the cross.
9. Jesus' death and resurrection allows us (if we believe in Him and accept his gift of grace!) to present our bills as paid in full!

HOWEVER:

• can we link point 7 to point 8 and then link point 6 to point 9?   I am thinking that this is less and less likely!  Jesus does not present us as clean to curry favor with us!  He does it because He loves us! And because it is God's plan!
• Is it even relevant that the steward was falsely accused?  Still thinking on this!
• And yet in Lk 16:8 Jesus does refer to the steward as "the unrighteous steward".  So in one sentence Jesus uses a word meaning falsely accused and in another sentence refers to the steward as unrighteous.  ??
• OR:  Is that the point?  Jesus is letting us know that the steward's guilt or lack thereof is NOT the point and is therefore irrelevant?  As unrighteous wealth (the wealth and trappings of the world) are going to fail us at some point anyway!!  We are ALL going to be removed from this world.  Where we go is what is up for grabs!!   We want to be received into the kingdom of God!  We should do what God wants us to do.  Jesus has said when we show mercy or charity (making friends) then we are as well as doing it to Him:  Mt 25:35-40  !!  Also Pr 19:17 
• All of a sudden the above point seems likely as the explanations/applications of the parable given in Lk 16:9-13 do not concern themselves with the steward's guilt or innocence! 
• And when dealing with a parable we need to weed out the relevant from the irrelevant AND in the instances when Jesus has given us an explanation, that explanation is the authority over what is relevant and irrelevant!!

Answering My Questions

• What does Jesus mean by "make friends"??  --  Jesus is telling us to do well towards others.  Mt 25:35-40  Mt 19:21   By giving unto others and using the resources we have been given to serve others we will "make friends" of those people and we all also be making friends with Jesus as He states pretty clearly in Mt 25:35-40 that when we give and care for a stranger we are in effect giving to Him.  And Jesus is the One who will welcome us into the eternal dwelling.  If we love Him we will follow His commands!
• Who are "they"?? -- Answered above.  The friends are any and all people we may be able to serve AND Jesus!  (although we must believe in and follow Jesus before any of this comes into account)
• And how and why would "they" receive us into the eternal dwellings? Does He mean heaven?  -- Jesus most likely means Heaven.  However what He means by "they will receive you into the eternal dwellings."  I am a little unclear on this.  Although I think it is because they would vouch for us and more importantly, Jesus will vouch for us.  (  Mt 25:35-40  ) 
• What is unrighteous wealth? And why would we need to use it well compared to the the true riches? --  Money is unrighteous wealth as it is an earthly concern.  It is a tool and we can't live to serve IT!  And money is often gained through illicit ways and methods!  As to why we need to use money well?  One answer:  Any money we get is a gift from God.  We should use all gifts well!  The parable in  Mt 25:14-30    shows us that God expects us to be good stewards of whatever He has given us..no matter the amount!!  And it is VERY instructive that Jesus immediately follows that parable with Mt 25:31-46  where the ones who were generous and loving towards others (and by extension towards Jesus) are separated from those who did not!  The ones who were generous WERE good stewards with what they had been give and they gained more at the end.  The ones who were NOT good stewards with whatever God had given them were punished at the end.  God wants to entrust us with more and more (spiritually)  but we have to prove ourselves as trustworthy!!  (NOTE TO SELF!!)
• It is interesting that Jesus would expect us to be faithful with that which is another's before being able to be faithful with that which is our own. Why is that? --  Because everything we have has been given to us by God!  So we must be faithful (trustworthy) with it!  If not?  How could God possibly give us greater rewards in heaven?

Summarizing

 (so far!)

• Jesus is telling us a parable to help us prepare for our lives after our time on earth.
• We are stewards of the money and gifts that God gives us.  Therefore...
• We are to use money for good, to "make friends", and help others so that we will be welcomed in the eternal dwellings after this earth.   And this means we are to take care of the money as well.  We can't squander it!  (note to self!!)
• If we can't be trusted to use money well, how can we be trusted to use even greater gifts well?
• If we are faithful with the little things we will tend to be faithful with a lot! If we are unfaithful in a little we will tend to be unfaithful with a lot.
• The steward erased people's debts as paid so as to curry favor with them after he was "removed".
• Jesus' death and resurrection allows us (if we believe in Him and accept his gift of grace!) to present our bills as paid in full!

 Bibliography

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