The Broader Context: The Gospel of Luke
In order to best understand how to properly interpret Luke 16:1-13, it is best to first read the passage in light of its surrounding context—the entire book of Luke. In his introduction, Luke clearly states his purpose in writing this gospel: “so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught,” (Luke 1:4). This is Luke 's purpose statement, but what is the truth the Luke is trying to demonstrate? The main theme Luke wants to convey, this “exact truth,” in his gospel is that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messianic Servant to all humankind.
There are a few ways to understand how this theme shows up throughout the book. Jesus ' own humanity is emphasized in the term “Son of Man” which …show more content…
The parable of the rich fool, in 12:13-21, warns that material possessions have no eternal significance so we shouldn 't spend too much time worrying about them. When we focus so much on getting lots of material things in life and neglect God 's riches we will find that we come up short before God but our material wealth will now belong to someone else. Immediately following this parable is Jesus ' teaching, and application of the preceding parable, on trusting in God 's provision. Not only is covetousness warned against, but also worry concerning having our needs met. Instead, we should place our trust in God, since He is in control and knows the things that we truly …show more content…
In this parable, a nobleman goes on a long journey, entrusting ten minas to ten of his servants, telling them to do business while he is away. Some of the servants had traded well, giving their master much more than he had given them. He rewarded these in kind. However, one of the servants did not trade or do business, but hid the mina. The nobleman took that mina and gave it to the servant who had given back ten minas. This parable teaches that God expects us to take risks. If we are faithful with the little He gives us will be given the chance to be faithful with much
In order to best understand how to properly interpret Luke 16:1-13, it is best to first read the passage in light of its surrounding context—the entire book of Luke. In his introduction, Luke clearly states his purpose in writing this gospel: “so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught,” (Luke 1:4). This is Luke 's purpose statement, but what is the truth the Luke is trying to demonstrate? The main theme Luke wants to convey, this “exact truth,” in his gospel is that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messianic Servant to all humankind.
There are a few ways to understand how this theme shows up throughout the book. Jesus ' own humanity is emphasized in the term “Son of Man” which …show more content…
The parable of the rich fool, in 12:13-21, warns that material possessions have no eternal significance so we shouldn 't spend too much time worrying about them. When we focus so much on getting lots of material things in life and neglect God 's riches we will find that we come up short before God but our material wealth will now belong to someone else. Immediately following this parable is Jesus ' teaching, and application of the preceding parable, on trusting in God 's provision. Not only is covetousness warned against, but also worry concerning having our needs met. Instead, we should place our trust in God, since He is in control and knows the things that we truly …show more content…
In this parable, a nobleman goes on a long journey, entrusting ten minas to ten of his servants, telling them to do business while he is away. Some of the servants had traded well, giving their master much more than he had given them. He rewarded these in kind. However, one of the servants did not trade or do business, but hid the mina. The nobleman took that mina and gave it to the servant who had given back ten minas. This parable teaches that God expects us to take risks. If we are faithful with the little He gives us will be given the chance to be faithful with much