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Luke 16:1-13
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seeking to learn, live and share the joy of communion
and right relationships with land, food, neighbor and God.

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • II.XXXIV.3, IV.XXX.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • III.4, VII.12, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • "Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?" (sermon on Mark 10:17-31), Clement of Alexandria (c. 200)
  • Chapter VII, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
  • II.3, To His Wife, Tertullian (c. 206)
  • IV.33, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XII, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Concerning Flight in Persecution (paragraph 13) Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Concerning Works and Almsgiving -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • Epistle LXXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • Ninth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 16:1-10, Martin Luther, c. 1525.
  • From the Geneva Notes (1599).
    • Seeing that men often purchase friendship for themselves at the expense of others, we are to be ashamed if we do not please the Lord or procure the good will of our neighbours with the goods which the Lord has bestowed on us freely and liberally, making sure that by this means riches, which are often occasions of sin, are used for another end and purpose."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
    • Whatever we have, the property of it is God's; we have only the use of it, according to the direction of our great Lord, and for his honour."
  • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
    • How should God intrust you with spiritual and eternal, which alone are true riches?"
  • The Use of Money (Luke 16:9). Sermon by John Wesley (1703-1791).
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • The three parables of the last chapter, the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son, are a rebuke to the self-righteousness of the Pharisees: the two of this chapter are directed against their covetousness."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Luke 16:1-13, Barbara Rossing, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
  • "Wealth and Relationships," David Lose, in the Meantime, 2016.
  • "Being Faithful in Much," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2016.
  • "Yin Yoga and the Power of Parable," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2016.
  • Commentary, Luke 16:1-13 | Grant Christy | Partnership Coordinator, Global Mission; Children's Pastor, Overland Park COTN | A Plain Account, 2016
  • A Provocation of the Gospel, Richard Swanson, 2016.
  • "Learning from Our Own Dishonesty," Melissa Bane Sevier, 2016.
  • Commentary, Luke 16:1-13, Lois Malcolm, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "Although our dishonest manager does not repent (like the prodigal) or act virtuously (like Lazarus), he nonetheless does something with the rich man's wealth that reverses the existing order of things. "
  • "Money, Relationships, and Jesus' Most Confusing Parable," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2013.
    • "There is a strong cultural taboo regarding talking about money with others, and yet most people I know -- including myself -- struggle with questions about money: how much is enough, how much should we give away, how can we raise children who are both wise and generous, and so on. While I'm not sure this parable gives clear guidance to any of these questions, is does present characters who also struggle with money, characters with mixed motives and yet who change over time in relationship to their circumstances."
  • "Shrewd Christians," Verity A. Jones, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2013.
    • "Despite all the potential ethical and practical pitfalls and dangers of wealth accumulation, Jesus is suggesting in this reading that it is possible to manage possessions and money in ways that can lead us into life with God."
  • "The Dishonest Steward," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2013.
    • "I'm not convinced the parable is only or specifically about the use of wealth. I think it is more broadly about the need to take shrewd, decisive action to prepare for the coming judgment."
  • "Oh No! Is It Really Time for 'The Parable of the Dishonest Servant?'" Phyllis Tickle, The Hardest Question, 2013.
    • "Where along through the centuries did we come up with the notion, now firmly fixed in millions of Christian heads, that, since God and the rich man were the same in our minds, we have to go through linguistic contortions to justify or excuse God for some kind of moral failing that may or may not be patent in the wealthy man's reactions?"
  • "The strangest of them all," Robb McCoy, Fat Pastor, 2013.
    • "Perhaps a quick scan around the rest of the Gospel of Luke will help lift the fog from this confusing story. Remember when Jesus taught the disciples to pray? Back in chapter 11, he tells them "Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us." What if Jesus actually meant that?"
  • "Dishonest Wealth," Steve Pankey, Draughting Theology, 2013.
  • "Justice by Unjust Means," Faith Element, 2013.
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Luke 16:1-13, David Ewart, 2013.
    • These wisdom sayings are ... advising us to deal astutely with this world fully as it is, on its own terms, but also knowing full well that it is temporary and failing. We are to reach through this passing world to embrace the coming world of God's kingdom."
  • Jesus Makes a Joke, Peter Lockhart, A Different Heresy, 2013.
  • "Faith, Hope, Love, Shrewd," Rick Fry, 2013.
  • "A Tuppence for God's Realm," Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2013.
  • "Serving One Master," David Sellery, 2013.
  • "Jesus the Reprobate?" Christopher Burkett, PreacherRhetorica, 2013.
    • "Who are the ones we treat as though they have no redemptive value?"
  • "Starting Over," Claire Keene, Upper Room Books, 2013.
  • "God and Mammon," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2013.
    • "In fact, it is Mammon who loves bookkeeping, and God who loves us when we give away the assets. No wonder Jesus loved this manager, who stopped serving money, and chose to serve need."
  • "Cheating Death," Loria A. Cornell, Crossings Community, 2013.
    • "...what if Jesus' own shrewdness (call it a risky investment that paid off) instead opens up the possibility for us to be smart about life-about handling money, about reaching out to strangers, about finding new ways to share the good news about God?"
  • "Stop Digging Yourself a Hole," Andrew Prior, 2013.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
  • "Being a Faithful Steward?" Thomas Beam, 2013.
  • "What Are We To Make of the Dishonest Manager?" Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
    • "How do you think Jesus' statements in verse 10-12 regarding wealth relate to the story of the dishonest manager?"
  • "Squandering Right," Rick Morley, 2013.
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • Commentary, Luke 16:1-13, Greg Carey, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • Commentators routinely remark that the parable of the Dishonest (Corrupt) Manager stands among the most challenging texts in the New Testament, often regarding it as the most perplexing of Jesus' parables."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "The Return of Eschatological Economics," exegetical essay, Rev. Clint Schnekloth, Journal of Lutheran Ethics, 2010.
    • Is the parable about the use of money, or is it to be allegorized to address quick action in light of the coming eschatological crisis?"
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 18, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • While it is naïve to read into Jesus? teaching our perceptions of the complexities of economic exploitation - we can let Jesus stay in the first century uncolonised by our insights - nevertheless the proclamation of the kingdom was meant to be good news for these poor and bring them blessing. How can you assert these things as God?s priorities and not address what is going on?"
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • Could it be that the steward was such a people-pleasure that he didn't collect what was due the owner?"
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 20C, 2007. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
    • What's in my heart and yours matters, to be sure. It matters to God."
  • The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
  • "Watermelon Rugby with the Shrewd Manager," Alyce McKenzie, Patheos, 2010.
    • This parable depicts the kingdom of God as a reality into which we enter by shrewd calculation of what is ultimately best for us and by decisive action to secure that outcome. The parable disrupts the conventional definition of what is in our best interest, as well as the patterns of actions toward that goal."
  • "God & Money," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2010.
    • Time to come clean. How many of you have preached a sermon about money without asking for any?"
  • The Money Manager, First Impressions, Andrew Prior, 2010.
    • Will we manage our money, or be managed by it?"
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
    • In the first century world, a person's wealth was connected to 'honor.'  In fact, wealth was not necessarily an end in itself, but rather a means to get honor.  Money could buy respect, or so it was thought.  A person could be 'dishonored' for any number of things, but two of them included having an unscrupulous servant, and taking back a gift."
  • "Where Is the Good Guy?" Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2010.
    • Is this about the unjust economy of the world, about idolatry, or the ability to put myself above them?"
  • "God's Business Sense," Mary Hinkle, Pilgrim Preaching, 2004.
    • The prodigal and the manager are both squandering their resources. Jesus is doing the opposite. He is gathering up lost human resources. That gathering is his reason for coming, his reason for being."
  • "Praising the Fraudulent Agent," Tim Bulkeley, 5 Minute Bible (podcast).
  • "Wealth: Hazmat or Good Gift?" study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Parables," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
  • Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 25, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "God and Mammon," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  • "Does Christ Commend a Crook --or-- 'The Sting'," a study from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
  • "Materialism," wikipedia.
  • "Hazmats or Good Gifts?" Dorothy Jean Weaver, (other resources at) "Parables," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
    • "Jesus' striking parables on wealth in the Gospel of Luke paint a vivid portrait of the two-sided impact of money and possessions on our lives."
  • "Honor Restored: New Light on the Parable of the Prudent Steward (Luke 16:1-8a)," David Landry, University of St Thomas and Ben May, University of Minnesota-Duluth Medical School.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Anderson, Garwood P., "Seeking and Saving What Might Have Been Lost: Luke's Restoration of an Enigmatic Parable Tradition," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Beavis, Mary Ann, "Ancient Slavery as an Interpretive Context for the New Testament Servant Parables with Special Reference to the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-8)," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Christensen, Michael J., "The Shrewdness in Stewardship," The Living Pulpit, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Copeland, Jennifer E., "Shrewd Investment," The Christian Century, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Curkpatrick, Stephen, "Parable Metonymy and Luke's Kerygmatic Framing," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • deSilva, David A., "The Parable of the Prudent Steward and Its Lucan Context," Criswell Theological Review, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fitzmyer, Joseph A., S.J., "The Story of the Dishonest Manager," Theological Studies, 1964.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fletcher, Donald R., "the Riddle of the Unjust Steward: Is Irony the Key?" Journal of Biblical Literature, 1963.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gächter, Paul, "The Parable of the Dishonest Steward after Oriental Conceptions," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1950.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hauerwas, Stanley M., "Living on Dishonest Wealth," Journal for Preachers, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hiers, Richard H., "Friends by Unrighteous Mammon: The Eschatological Proletariat (Luke 16:9)," Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 1970.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lamborn, Amy Bentley, "Stewarding Unrighteousness," The Living Pulpit, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Landry, David, and Ben May, "Honor Restored: New Light on the Parable of the Prudent Steward (Luke 16:1-8a)," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Long, Thomas G., "Making Friends," Journal for Preachers, 2007. Sermon.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Mathewson, Dave L., "The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13): A Reexamination of the Traditional View in Light of Recent Challenges," Journal of the Evangelical Theology Society, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Newman, Elizabeth, "Flannery O'Connor and the Practice of Hospitality," Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pohl, Christine, "Profit and Loss," The Christian Century, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schellenberg, Ryan S., "Which Master? Whose Steward? Metalepsis and Lordship in the Parable of the Prudent Steward (Luke 16:1-13)," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schertz, Mary H., "Shrewd Steward," The Christian Century, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Sellew, Philip, "Interior Monologue as a Narrative Device in the Parables of Luke," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Streets, Frederick J., "Accountability," The Christian Century, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Topel, L. John, S.J., "The Injustice of the Unjust Steward," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1975.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ukpong, Justin S., "The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13): An Essay in Inculturation Biblical Hermeneutic," Semeia, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wells, Samuel, "It's the Economy, Stupid," Journal for Preachers, 2007. Sermon.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Williams, Francis E., "Is Almsgiving the Point of the 'Unjust Steward'?" Journal of Biblical Literature, 1964.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Jesus' Weirdest Parable?" Rev. Ian Punnett, Day 1, 2013.
  • "Jesus the Rogue Rabbi," the Rev. Thomas Brackett, Day 1, 2010.
  • "The Dishonest, Yet Shrewd Manager," Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, Dim Lamp, 2010.
  • "Money and Wise Investments for the Future," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Oikonomiks," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • ather Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily.
    • Ordinary 25, 2010
    • Ordinary 25, 2007
    • Ordinary 25, 2001 (Dr Mary Durkin)
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 20, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2013. 2010.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," September 22, 2013, Luke 16:1-13 and The Turnip by Walter de la Mare.
• Drama:
  • "The Smooth Operator," Peter Minson, dramatix.
  • "The Shrewd Manager," Trevor Fletcher, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Luke 16:6, Luke 16:13, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Luke 16:1-13, Luke 16:1-13 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Luke 16:1-13 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • HymnSite.com Hymn Selections.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
  • Proper 20C/Ordinary 25C
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke

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