The Parable of the Unjust Steward is one of the most challenging and thought-provoking teachings Jesus gave. Unique to Luke’s Gospel, it appears at first glance to present a moral paradox, as the central figure is a dishonest manager who seems to be commended. Yet as with all of Jesus’ parables, a careful reading reveals a deeper spiritual lesson—not a praise of dishonesty, but an exhortation to wise stewardship and eternal priorities. In this parable, Jesus calls His followers to recognize their accountability before God and to use earthly resources in ways that prepare for the eternal future. The story serves both as instruction for His disciples and as a sharp rebuke to the Pharisees, whose love of money revealed the true state of their hearts.
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The context of the parable provides insight into its purpose. Jesus had just finished delivering the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about reckless living, squandered wealth, and the joy of restoration. Now He turns to His disciples and speaks a parable that, while still touching on the theme of misused resources, shifts the focus to shrewdness and foresight. The Pharisees are not the direct audience of this teaching, yet they are listening in, and their scoffing at Jesus’ words (Luke 16:14) betrays their attachment to wealth and their failure to understand the true purpose of stewardship. Thus, the parable both instructs and indicts.
Jesus begins by introducing a rich man who has entrusted his estate to a steward. The steward is accused of squandering his master’s possessions, and the master, upon hearing this, calls him to give an account. He informs the steward that his position will soon be taken away. Faced with the loss of his livelihood, the steward quickly devises a plan to secure his future. Aware that he is too weak for manual labor and too proud to beg, he calls in his master’s debtors and reduces their debts. One who owes a hundred measures of olive oil is told to make it fifty; another who owes a hundred measures of wheat is told to write eighty. His goal is clear: by easing their burdens, he hopes to gain their favor so that they will receive him into their homes once he is dismissed.
The exact details of the steward’s reductions have been the subject of much discussion. Some have suggested that he was cutting unlawful interest that had been added to the debts in violation of the Law. Others propose that he was sacrificing his own commission. Regardless of the technicalities, the steward’s actions are undeniably self-serving. He is not motivated by integrity or justice but by the urgent need to secure his well-being once his stewardship ends.
Yet it is here that the parable takes an unexpected turn. Jesus states that the master commended the steward—not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness. The point is not that the steward’s ethics were admirable, but that his foresight and decisive action in light of his coming dismissal were worthy of note. Jesus draws a contrast: the people of this world, with all their faults, often show more prudence in managing temporary affairs than the children of light do in preparing for eternal realities. The steward acted with urgency because he recognized that his time was short. Jesus calls His followers to exhibit a similar urgency and wisdom, not for earthly gain but for heavenly reward.
The lesson is driven home when Jesus instructs His disciples to use worldly wealth to make friends for themselves, so that when it is gone, they will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. This does not suggest buying one’s way into heaven, but rather using temporary resources to serve God’s purposes—investing in acts of mercy, generosity, and Gospel advancement that have eternal significance. Earthly wealth is fleeting, but what is done with it can have consequences that endure forever.
Jesus further emphasizes that faithfulness in small matters reveals readiness for greater responsibility. The one who is trustworthy with a little will be entrusted with much, while the one who is dishonest with little will prove unfaithful with greater things. This principle exposes the heart: how a person handles material resources reflects their true allegiance and values. The parable ends with a clear declaration: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). This final statement strikes at the heart of the Pharisees’ problem—their love for wealth blinded them to eternal priorities and made them unfit stewards of what God had entrusted to them.
From a dispensational perspective, this parable illustrates the broader truth of stewardship under God’s authority. The rich man represents God, who entrusts His resources to individuals. The steward symbolizes those given responsibility within God’s plan—Israel, in particular, had been entrusted with God’s law, covenants, and temple service. Yet by the time of Jesus’ ministry, the nation’s leaders, like the steward, had mismanaged these blessings, using them for personal gain rather than God’s glory. The impending dismissal of the steward points to the coming judgment and removal of Israel’s stewardship, as the Kingdom offer was rejected and judgment loomed. The lesson extends beyond Israel’s leaders to all who are entrusted with God’s gifts: accountability is inevitable, and wise stewardship demands action in light of that coming day.
The parable’s relevance extends to the future as well. During the Tribulation, as judgment approaches and the age draws to a close, the urgency to act wisely with what God has given will be paramount. Those who discern the lateness of the hour and use their resources to align with God’s purposes will be preparing for their place in the coming Kingdom, while those who cling to material security will find that it fails them when it matters most.
The apostolic writings echo these truths. Paul exhorts believers in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 not to place their hope in wealth but to be rich in good works, generous, and willing to share, thus laying up treasure for the coming age. Similarly, he reminds the Corinthians that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give account (2 Corinthians 5:10). The parable’s lesson is timeless: the way we handle temporary resources reveals where our heart truly lies and determines the reward or loss we will experience when we stand before God.
For Israel, the parable was a rebuke to the religious leaders’ failure in their stewardship. For the Church, it is a call to faithful management of what God has entrusted—time, talents, treasures—in light of eternity. For the future remnant during the Tribulation, it will serve as a warning and encouragement to act wisely before the opportunity passes. In every age, the choice remains the same: will we serve God or will we serve wealth? Jesus’ closing words leave no room for divided loyalty.
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This post draws from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7), where each parable is explored in its prophetic, dispensational, and theological depth.
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New International Version (NIV)
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