Luke 16:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

NIV: And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

NASB: 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?

CSB: And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what is your own?

NLT: And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

KJV: And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

NKJV: And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

Jesus draws out more practical and spiritual applications of the parable of the dishonest manager (Luke 16:1–8). The fact that the master didn't discover his manager's irresponsibility immediately suggests the manager had a great deal of autonomy. The manager has arranged things so that he may get a job with another, but what kind of responsibilities will he have? He has proven to be unfaithful, so it's unlikely he will have such responsibility and autonomy again in the future. Conspiring to cheat one's employer might make friends, but those friends aren't likely to trust you with their money.

During life on earth, this verse applies to ministry. If a ministry worker or an associate leader is not faithful with the ministry in which they serve, it's not prudent to allow him to lead another ministry or serve with even greater responsibility.

Ultimately, this verse speaks the truth about our situation at the resurrection. God-followers will have responsibilities during the millennial kingdom, apparently based on how we faithfully served on earth (1 Corinthians 6:2). In addition, Christians will receive blessings depending on their good works (2 Corinthians 5:10). If we are not faithful with what we are given now, we are unlikely to be greatly rewarded in heaven (1 Corinthians 3:12–15).

Jesus began His applications by explaining that those who use their money to bless others show they have a heart for God (Luke 16:9). He will finish on the same theme with stronger words: no one can love both God and money (Luke 16:13).

Luke 16:9–13 provides spiritual applications for the parable of the dishonest manager. Facing unemployment because he mismanaged another's property, the manager schemes to secure himself a new job. What he does is not likely illegal, but it's unethical and sneaky. Jesus-followers are to take a good lesson from that bad example. Insight into how the world works leaves room to add responsibility, fidelity, and faithfulness to God. Next, Jesus explains the relationship between one's heart, the Mosaic law, and the kingdom of God with an application relating to marriage and divorce (Luke 16:14–18).

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.