Chapter 16 of Luke's Gospel opens with a parable addressed by Jesus to his "disciples," a term not necessarily limited to the apostles. Many followers may have been included who had not yet left all to follow him, as the Twelve had done.
In the parable, a steward who is to be dismissed for having wasted his employer's goods takes care to see that his own future is secure. The initiative and foresight of the steward, who sees that he can only provide for himself by providing for others, receive the commendation of his rich master. There is no commendation, of course, for the steward's devious methods. Jesus' next sayings make clear that trustworthiness in the management of this world's goods cannot be separated from trustworthiness in the management of "true riches." And allegiance divided between God and mammon (or gold) is inadmissible (see verses 1-13).
To his critical listeners, the Pharisees, Jesus directs his next sayings, denouncing self-justification: "For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" (verse 15). "The law and the prophets" (as the Old Testament was called) had prevailed in Israel's history, but with John the Baptist a new dispensation, the kingdom of God with its blessings, had been inaugurated, and multitudes were being drawn toward it. Nevertheless, not the smallest provision of the law could fail, or lose its vigor (see verses 16, 17; cf. Matt. 5:17).
