Luke 16:10

Commentary on Luke 16:10

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

Contextual Overview

Luke 16[i] records two striking narratives. First is the Parable of the Unjust Steward (verses 1–9), where Jesus challenges His disciples on the use of worldly wealth for eternal ends. Immediately following, in verses 10–13, Jesus distils a principle of stewardship and faithfulness. Verse 10 reads:

“One who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and one who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 NKJV)

This proverb follows the commendation of the steward’s shrewdness and introduces the theme that faithfulness in small tasks is the gateway to greater kingdom responsibility.

Exegetical Insights

In the original Greek, the terms rendered “very little” (lepton) and “much” (polu) emphasise degree rather than distinct categories of wealth. Jesus teaches that character is consistent across scales—integrity shown in modest affairs reflects one’s ability to handle significant trusts. Conversely, disloyalty in minor matters reveals a heart unfit for weightier assignments.

By placing this proverb immediately after a parable about money, Jesus includes material stewardship within the ambit of spiritual testing. Yet “little” can encompass every ordinary task—managing time, relationships, and opportunities to serve—while “much” refers to the advanced privileges of kingdom service, whether in this life or the age to come.

Theological Reflections

• God’s Sovereign Ownership and Human Stewardship
  All that exists belongs to the triune God (Psalm 24:1). Believers are called stewards, not owners, of time, talents and treasure. Faithfulness in small matters signifies acknowledgement of divine lordship over every dimension of life.
• Regeneration Evidenced by Faithfulness
  Saving faith issues in sanctification. Good works do not earn salvation but are its fruit (Ephesians 2:8–10). Consistency in minor acts of obedience provides tangible evidence of genuine conversion and an indwelling Spirit at work.
• Covenant Responsibilities and Increased Privilege
  Covenant theology accentuates promises and responsibilities. As God entrusts covenant children with greater privilege—family heritage, church membership, spiritual gifts—He tests them first in simpler duties. Successful stewardship of small graces prepares the believer for fuller ministry.
• Christ-Centred Obedience
  The Parable of the Unjust Steward closes by declaring no one can serve two masters (Luke 16:13). Christian piety upholds that obedience springs from union with Christ, not legalism. Faithfulness in little things is a joyful response to grace received.

Application for Modern Christian Living

1. Daily Integrity in the Workplace
   Employers and colleagues observe how Christians perform “small” tasks: punctuality, clear communication, honesty in expense claims. Faithfulness in these wins trust and opens doors for gospel witness and leadership.
2. Stewardship of Personal Time and Habits
   Faithfulness in daily rhythms—devotional life, rest, relationships—prepares believers for greater spiritual labours. A disciplined prayer life or time set aside for Scripture reading, though seemingly minor, shapes spiritual maturity.
3. Generosity and Management of Resources
   Tithes, offerings and acts of mercy are opportunities to prove faithfulness. Consistent giving—even when amounts feel small—demonstrates trust in God’s provision and positions the church for more expansive ministry.
4. Cultivating Reliability in Church Service
   Serving on welcome teams, teaching children’s church or assisting with cleanup may appear “little” but faithful service here readies one for teaching adults, pastoral care or mission leadership.
5. Witness to Unbelievers
   Integrity in minor matters often strikes non-Christians more than grand statements of faith. When a Christian admits error, returns a wrong payment or follows through on promises, eyes are opened to the reality of Christ’s transforming power.

Conclusion

Luke 16:10 challenges believers to examine consistency between character and calling. True faithfulness is not episodic demonstration but habitual integrity in life’s ordinary details. As Jesus affirms, stewardship of “very little” is the litmus test for readiness to receive “true riches”—the fuller privileges of God’s kingdom.

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[i] Luke 16

New King James Version

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

16 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was [a]wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred [b]measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred [c]measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous [d]mammon, that when [e]you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom

14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they [f]derided Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one [g]tittle of the law to fail.

18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Footnotes

Luke 16:1 squandering

Luke 16:6 Gr. batos, same as Heb. bath; 8 or 9 gallons each

Luke 16:7 Gr. koros, same as Heb. kor; 10 or 12 bushels each

Luke 16:9 Lit., in Aram., wealth

Luke 16:9 NU it fails

Luke 16:14 Lit. turned up their nose at

Luke 16:17 The smallest stroke in a Heb. letter

Luke 16:19 lived in luxury

Luke 16:21 NU what fell