Luke 16:4 kjv
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
Luke 16:4 nkjv
I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'
Luke 16:4 niv
I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
Luke 16:4 esv
I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.'
Luke 16:4 nlt
Ah, I know how to ensure that I'll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.'
Luke 16 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 16:1-9 | And 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 wasting his goods... Make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." | Parable's context, stewardship, and wise use of worldly wealth for eternal good. |
| Luke 16:8 | And his master commended the unjust steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. | Jesus commends the steward's shrewdness (foresight), not his dishonesty. Contrast between worldly and spiritual effort. |
| Luke 12:16-21 | And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’... "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” | Parable of the rich fool who lacked foresight regarding eternity. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... | Call to invest in heavenly, not earthly, security. |
| Matt 6:24 | No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. | Conflict of loyalties between material and spiritual. |
| Matt 10:16 | Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. | Wisdom and strategic thinking required in kingdom work. |
| Prov 6:6 | Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise... | Call to diligence and foresight in preparation. |
| Prov 13:16 | Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool parades his folly. | Contrast between prudent action and foolishness. |
| Prov 21:5 | The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. | Advantage of diligent planning. |
| Phil 3:20 | For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. | True eternal home and focus for believers. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. | Believers are stewards of God's grace. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. | Emphasis on trustworthiness in stewardship. |
| Titus 1:7 | For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain... | Description of a steward (bishop) in the church, accountable to God. |
| 1 Tim 6:17-19 | Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy... that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. | Right use of wealth for good works and eternal life. |
| Lk 12:33 | Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. | Actionable advice for investing in heavenly treasure. |
| Heb 13:1-2 | Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. | Call for hospitality and welcoming. |
| Matt 25:34-40 | Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in... | Practical actions of charity and hospitality lead to eternal reward. |
| Rom 12:2 | And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. | Contrast between worldly patterns and spiritual transformation. |
| Jas 3:15 | This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. | Warning against wisdom that is purely earthly or self-serving. |
| Eccl 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. | Urgency to act with diligence while there is time. |
| Deut 15:7-11 | If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart... | Call to generosity and care for the needy. |
Luke 16 verses
Luke 16 4 Meaning
Luke 16:4 describes the calculation of the unjust steward in Jesus' parable. Realizing he is about to be dismissed from his management position, he devises a shrewd, though dishonest, plan to secure his future. His intent is to manipulate the debts owed to his master so that those debtors, upon being shown favor, would feel obligated to provide for him by welcoming him into their homes once he loses his livelihood. The verse highlights his decisive, self-serving foresight and cunning in a crisis.
Luke 16 4 Context
Luke chapter 16 begins with the "Parable of the Unjust Steward," a teaching primarily addressed to Jesus' disciples, following earlier parables that emphasized God's welcoming of the lost (Luke 15). This parable presents a unique ethical dilemma where a shrewd, yet dishonest, steward is commended not for his deceit but for his foresight and decisiveness in securing his future. Jesus uses this worldly example to illuminate a spiritual principle concerning the wise use of earthly possessions. The verse immediately precedes Jesus' statement about the "sons of this age" being "more shrewd" than the "sons of light" (Luke 16:8), setting up a contrast between worldly foresight and spiritual short-sightedness. Historically and culturally, a steward (οἰκονόμος - oikonomos) managed a master's property, accounts, and affairs, holding significant power. His impending dismissal meant a loss of livelihood and social standing, necessitating an immediate and drastic plan for survival, which he devised through leveraging his final opportunity to adjust his master's debtors' accounts.
Luke 16 4 Word analysis
- I know what I will do (ἔγνων τί ποιήσω - egnōn ti poiēsō): This phrase indicates a moment of sudden realization and resolve. It speaks to strategic thought and a decisive action born out of necessity. It implies a plan formed in response to an impending crisis.
- that, when I am put out (ἵνα ὅταν μετασταθῶ - hina hotan metastathō): "Put out" (μετασταθῶ - metastathō) implies a forceful removal or dismissal from his position. The "that" (ἵνα - hina) denotes the purpose of his action: he acts so that he can secure a future. This highlights the cause-and-effect thinking of the steward.
- of the stewardship (τῆς οἰκονομίας - tēs oikonomias): "Stewardship" (οἰκονομία - oikonomia) refers to the management of a household or affairs. It signifies a position of trust and authority over property or resources, from which he is being dismissed due to misuse. In a broader sense, it represents the resources, opportunities, and time entrusted to individuals in this life.
- they may receive me (δέξωνταί με - dexōntai me): "Receive" (δέχομαι - dechomai) means to welcome, admit, or take in, especially as a guest. The steward's plan aims to gain social connections and hospitality from those he now favors, ensuring he won't be destitute.
- into their houses (εἰς τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν - eis tous oikous autōn): "Houses" (οἴκος - oikos) signifies a place of dwelling, hospitality, and provision. This is the tangible outcome the steward seeks: shelter and support, indicating he secured future livelihood by sacrificing loyalty and integrity in his current role.
Words-group analysis:
- "I know what I will do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship...": This phrase encapsulates the steward's immediate recognition of his crisis and his subsequent calculated response. It demonstrates a decisive mindset to avert future destitution by acting shrewdly in the present.
- "...they may receive me into their houses.": This segment clarifies the steward's objective: to gain hospitality and support from those he had shown kindness to. It emphasizes his focus on securing tangible future benefits by leveraging existing relationships and current resources. The act of "receiving" suggests reliance on the gratitude and reciprocal obligation of others.
Luke 16 4 Bonus section
The commendation of the unjust steward (in Lk 16:8) for his shrewdness is a potent paradox designed to provoke thought rather than endorse his unethical conduct. This parable underscores a common feature of Jesus' teachings: using imperfect or even flawed examples from everyday life to illustrate profound spiritual truths. The "unjust" aspect emphasizes the earthly nature of the wisdom and cunning displayed; it's pragmatic for survival but lacks righteousness. This parable's focus is less on money itself and more on stewardship—the faithful management of resources, time, talents, and opportunities. It challenges believers to view their temporal resources as instruments to invest in eternal gain, highlighting that diligence, strategic planning, and intentional action are crucial, not just in worldly endeavors but even more so in advancing God's kingdom and securing one's spiritual inheritance. The steward's foresight into his temporal future should motivate disciples to similar foresight regarding their eternal one.
Luke 16 4 Commentary
Luke 16:4 is a critical verse within the Parable of the Unjust Steward, revealing the steward's ingenuity and foresight in crisis. Jesus is not commending the steward's dishonesty or corruption. Rather, the point of the parable, especially illuminated by Luke 16:8, lies in highlighting the contrast between the shrewdness and decisive action of "the sons of this age" (worldly individuals) in handling their temporary earthly affairs, compared to the often complacent and less strategic approach of "the sons of light" (believers) concerning their eternal spiritual future. The steward’s ability to use his rapidly diminishing earthly resources to secure his future comfort, albeit a temporal one, serves as a poignant illustration. The underlying message encourages disciples to apply comparable wisdom, urgency, and resourcefulness to spiritual matters, leveraging "worldly wealth" (Luke 16:9) to lay up treasure in heaven and ensure their eternal reception into God's dwelling, perhaps by acts of generosity and discipleship.