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Luke 16:8
ESV 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.
NIV "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
NASB And his master complimented the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.
CSB "The master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this age are more shrewd than the children of light in dealing with their own people.
NLT The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.
KJV And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
NKJV So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

What does Luke 16:8 mean?

Jesus finishes the parable of the dishonest manager with a conclusion and lesson. A steward who is soon to be fired for mismanaging his master's resources cuts either the interest or the fee from his master's debtors, or his own commission. This happens just before he is forced to turn over his management records and lose his position (Luke 16:1–7). It's a clever scheme. If the master is charging interest, that is against the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 23:19). Charging a "fee" is clearly against the spirit of the Law. Not only might the master look generous to his clients, but the manager also gains several new friends who may give him a job.

Jesus clarifies the meaning of the parable:

Unbelievers loosely realize that everything good they will experience will happen on earth prior to death. They are of this world and understand the non-spiritual aspects of culture and society. They know how to take advantage of their world for their gain. This is true of the rich man in the story at the end of the chapter, which includes a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man is wise enough about worldly things to be "clothed in purple and fine linen and…[feasting] sumptuously every day" (Luke 16:19). The rich man and the Pharisees are "men of the world whose portion is in this life" (Psalm 17:14).

But, as Jesus tells the Pharisees, "what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15). The dishonest manager is exiled from his home. The rich man spends eternity in hell.

Jesus calls His followers to use the same shrewdness, but in a way that reveals heavenly wisdom. Elsewhere, He commissions them, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). It is good to be cunning, as the manager is, but it is better to use that cunning to ensure a place in God's kingdom (Luke 16:11–13).

When the Bible refers to someone as a "son" who is not genetically related, it means that the person is like the "father" in some way. Angels and demons are referred to as "sons of God" because they are spirit like God, not physical like humans (Genesis 6:2). On the other hand, Jesus is the "Son of Man" because He puts on a human body. Jesus refers to the Pharisees as sons of the Devil because, like the Devil, they are full of lies (John 8:44). James and John are the "Sons of Thunder" because of their bold personalities (Mark 3:17). "Sons of this world" refer to people who are comfortable in the fallen culture and who can use innate understanding of the world for their own advantage.
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