Jesus said, “No servant can serve two masters, since either they will hate one and love the other, or they will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)
This chapter recounts two of Jesus’ parables that were particularly relevant to people in the crowd who had a good reputation, commanded respect, were wealthy – and did not genuinely love God or other people.
The first parable tells of a business manager who squandered the owner’s resources. The manager was called to account, then he assessed how to make a living after being fired. The manager renegotiated cheaper invoices with the debtors so the business would receive an influx of cash and they would sympathetically help him after being fired. The owner acknowledged the manager’s shrewdness in using material resources to build long-lasting relationships.
The principle that an employee who mismanages resources should not be trusted to run a business also assumes that a person who is unfaithful with material resources shouldn’t be trusted with spiritual resources. Conversely, a person who is faithful at small tasks is likely faithful with significant things. You can’t be greedy and live for God at the same time, so prioritize what is most important to you.
Jesus knew that some of the Pharisees in the crowd were likewise more concerned with wealth than with God, and they missed His point. Jesus told them that, although they were respected by the community, God was not impressed with them. God calls everyone into a closer relationship with Him, but that doesn’t mean He ignores His standards on right & wrong. Following the letter of the Law isn’t enough, though; you need to live the intention of the Law, which is to love others.
Then Jesus told another parable, this one about a wealthy man who ignored his destitute neighbor. They each died; the destitute man woke up where the righteous people waited in the Afterlife, while the wealthy man woke up where the unrighteous people waited in torment. The tormented man begged for the blessed man to send him some relief, but a huge divide prevented anyone crossing over. The tormented man then begged that a messenger be sent to his still-living family so they would repent before they too faced torment. But because they had already ignored messengers from God, they wouldn’t believe anyone else God sends. Jesus realized that if people deny Moses, the other prophets, John the Baptist, the Scripture writers, and their own acquaintances – why would they believe Jesus and all His proof?
A common thread of this chapter is that God knows and cares about who we are internally, not just about how we seem to others (Prov. 11:19, 1 Sam. 16:7, 1 Cor. 4:1-2, Heb. 4:12). Who or what do you care about the most? Are you motivated by love for others or securing your own comfort? Your values show through your actions. If you genuinely love, then you will respond to God’s call and live His way.