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Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 18:6
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

done.

Luke 16:4
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Exodus 1:10
Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, andso get them up out of the land.

children of this.

Luke 20:34
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

Psalm 17:14
From menwhich are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world,which have their portion inthis life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hidtreasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of theirsubstance to their babes.

1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

in.

Psalm 49:10-19
For he seeththat wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others…

Matthew 17:26
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

children of light.

John 12:36
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

Ephesians 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but noware ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1 Thessalonians 5:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

because he had acted shrewdly.
The term "shrewdly" here implies a level of wisdom and foresight. In biblical context, shrewdness is often associated with practical wisdom, as seen inProverbs 1:4, which speaks of giving prudence to the simple. The manager's actions, though dishonest, demonstrate an ability to navigate difficult situations effectively. This phrase encourages believers to be wise and discerning in their dealings, using their resources to secure a future, much like the manager secured his. It also serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual discernment, as seen inMatthew 10:16, where Jesus advises His disciples to be "shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."

For the sons of this age are more shrewd
"Sons of this age" refers to those who belong to the present world system, often characterized by a focus on material wealth and temporal concerns. This phrase contrasts with the "sons of light," who are associated with spiritual insight and eternal values. The observation that the sons of this age are more shrewd suggests that worldly people often exhibit greater practical wisdom in their affairs than believers do in spiritual matters. This serves as a call for Christians to be equally diligent and wise in their spiritual pursuits.

in dealing with their own kind
This phrase highlights the idea that people of the world are adept at navigating their own systems and relationships to achieve their goals. It underscores the importance of understanding and engaging effectively with the world while maintaining one's spiritual integrity. The cultural context of the time valued community and relationships, and this insight into human behavior remains relevant for believers today, urging them to be wise in their interactions with both believers and non-believers.

than are the sons of light.
"Sons of light" is a term used to describe those who follow Christ and live according to His teachings, as seen inEphesians 5:8, which calls believers to "walk as children of light." This phrase serves as a critique of believers who may lack the same level of shrewdness in spiritual matters as worldly people do in secular affairs. It challenges Christians to be proactive and wise in their spiritual lives, using their resources and opportunities to further God's kingdom. The contrast between the two groups emphasizes the need for believers to be as committed and strategic in their spiritual endeavors as the world is in its pursuits.

“The master commended the dishonest manager” (Luke 16:8) surprises us, yet the praise is real.

•In the parable (Luke 16:1-7) the steward has squandered his employer’s wealth, but when crisis hits he acts decisively.

•The master does not approve of fraud; he simply recognizes effective action—much the way Jesus later notes a widow’s persistence without endorsing a corrupt judge (Luke 18:1-6).

•Similar instances appear where unbelievers acknowledge godly wisdom, as Potiphar did with Joseph (Genesis 39:3-4) or Nebuchadnezzar with Daniel (Daniel 2:46-48).

•The commendation highlights a truth echoed inProverbs 22:29—skill and initiative often gain recognition, even from unlikely sources.

“He had acted shrewdly” (Luke 16:8). Shrewdness here means practical wisdom in the face of impending loss.

•Scripture distinguishes wise initiative from sinful motives; Abigail’s quick thinking preserved lives (1 Samuel 25:18-35).

•Believers are urged to “be wise in how you act toward outsiders; redeem the time” (Colossians 4:5-6, cf.Ephesians 5:15-16).

•Jesus Himself counsels His disciples to be “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

•The steward’s ingenuity underlines a timeless lesson: foresight and prompt action are commendable when aligned with righteousness.

“The sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind” (Luke 16:8).

•“Sons of this age” refers to people whose horizon is limited to the present world (cf.1 Corinthians 2:14;Philippians 3:19).

•They often display relentless creativity to secure temporal goals—seen in Babylon’s merchants (Revelation 18:11-13) or the builders of Babel (Genesis 11:3-4).

•Their savvy networking, marketing, and resource-leveraging reveal an urgency that should challenge believers.

•While their ends are fleeting, their example of determined strategy exposes complacency in those who possess eternal truth.

“…than are the sons of light” (Luke 16:8).

•Scripture calls believers “sons of light and sons of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5;Ephesians 5:8).

•Yet Jesus observes that His followers sometimes lack comparable initiative in matters with eternal stakes.

•We possess spiritual riches, the gospel, and opportunities to direct resources toward kingdom impact (Luke 12:33-34;1 Timothy 6:17-19).

•The parable urges disciples to steward money, time, and influence in ways that win people to Christ, anticipating the moment “they will welcome you into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

Luke 16:8 contrasts worldly ingenuity with spiritual lethargy. The steward is applauded not for dishonesty but for foresight. Unbelievers often deploy sharper tactics for temporary gain than believers do for everlasting good. Jesus calls His followers—“sons of light”—to pair innocence with strategic wisdom, leveraging every earthly resource for heavenly purposes.

The unjust steward.--Literally,the steward of unrighteousness, St. Luke using the half-Hebrew idiom of a genitive of the characteristic attribute. (Comp. the "mammon of unrighteousness" inLuke 16:9, and the "unjust judge" ofLuke 18:6, where the same idiom is used.)

The children of this world are in their generation wiser . . .--Better,for their generation, with a view,i.e., to their own advantages and interests, and those of others like them.

Wiser than the children of light.--The word for "wise" is that used by our Lord in "wise as serpents" (see Notes onMatthew 10:16). In "children of light" (literally,sons of light), though usage has made the Hebrew idiom familiar, we have another example of the genitive of characteristic attribute. We may note the recurrence of the phrase (with the variation of the Greek word for "children" instead of "sons") inEphesians 5:8 as another instance of the way in which the phraseology of St. Paul was influenced by that of the words of the Lord Jesus collected by his fellow-labourer. "Children of light" are those in whom light is the prevailing element of their life, and they are necessarily also children of God; for "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1John 1:5). . . .