Luke 16:8 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

Luke 16:1–8 is the parable of the dishonest manager. A wealthy man learns his money is being wasted by a hired supervisor. With no time to escape being fired, the manager calls on the owner's debtors. He tells them to decrease the amount they are expected to pay back. This favor earns the manager their approval and hopefully their help later. The owner notes that this was a clever ploy to make allies. Jesus uses this negative example to teach His followers a good lesson: to be equally sharp when interacting with the world.

Teaching His disciples and confronting the Pharisees, Jesus offers several lessons about wealth and devotion to God. The first is a parable about a dishonest manager. This illustrates the value of being careful and clever with earthly resources. Jesus then uses remarks about the Law and marriage to introduce the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This not only highlights the dangers of greed, but it also debunks the common claim that a non-believer would submit to God if only they saw "a little more evidence" or a miracle.

The prior chapter included Jesus' teachings centered on lost things: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Luke 16 includes several of Jesus' lessons about living in the kingdom of God compared to the world system, beginning and ending with parables (Luke 16:1—17:10). Chapter 16 includes the parable of the dishonest manager, Jesus' teaching on how money reveals faith, and the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Luke 17:1–10 teaches about whether Christ-followers bear responsibility for others' sin, lessons about faith, and the parable of the unworthy servants.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.