King James Version
What Does Luke 16:10 Mean?
“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.”
Context
8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. mammon: or, riches
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.
11
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? mammon: or, riches
12
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(10) **He that is faithful in that which is least . . .**—The context shows that by “that which is least” is meant what men call wealth, and which to most of them seems as the greatest, highest good. To be faithful in that is to acknowledge that we have it as stewards, not as possessors, and shall have to give an account of our stewardship. The word of warning was meant, we may believe, specially for the disciples. They, coming, for the most part, from the poorer classes, thought that they were in no danger of worshipping mammon. They are told, probably with special reference to the traitor Judas, that the love of money may operate on a narrow as well as on a wide scale, and that wrong-doing in the one case tests character not less perfectly than in the other. This seems truer to the meaning of “much” than to find in it simply the higher wealth of the kingdom of God, generically different from the former, though this also may be included in the wider operation of the laws thus asserted.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Luke 16:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Luke 16:10
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge