What Is the Parable of the Unjust Steward?
What Is the Parable of the Unjust Steward? Jesus told of a dishonest steward who shrewdly used his master's resources to secure his future—teaching believers to be wise in using worldly resources for eternal purposes.
Key verse: Luke 16:9 (KJV)
Jesus told of a dishonest steward who shrewdly used his master's resources to secure his future—teaching believers to be wise in using worldly resources for eternal purposes.
Jesus told of a dishonest steward who shrewdly used his master's resources to secure his future—teaching believers to be wise in using worldly resources for eternal purposes.
"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." — Luke 16:9 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus told of a steward who was about to be fired for wasting his master's goods. Before losing his position, he reduced the debts of his master's debtors to win their favor. The master commended the steward's shrewdness (not his dishonesty). Jesus used this as a lesson: 'Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.' The parable teaches that believers should use earthly resources wisely and generously for kingdom purposes, being as strategic about spiritual matters as worldly people are about financial ones.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Heaven?
What the Bible reveals about heaven, eternal life, and our future home with God.
Key Scripture References
"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations."
"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Stewardship?
Biblical stewardship teaches that everything belongs to God and believers are entrusted to manage their time, talents, money, and resources faithfully.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible teaches that money itself is not evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil, and believers must be wise stewards of their finances.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
The Parable of the Unjust Steward
Luke 16:8 • Stewardship & Responsibility
Parable of the Unjust Steward Quiz
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Theology & Doctrine
The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30 • Parables of Jesus
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Luke. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Luke on day 294 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Unjust Steward?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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