Luke 16:4 Meaning and Explanation
“I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The steward settles on a plan: he will use his last hours in office to make friends who will receive him afterward.
What Does Luke 16:4 Mean?
Deliberation hardens into decision. Before the account books leave his hands, the steward resolves to spend his remaining authority making others obliged to him, so that when the door of the stewardship closes, other doors will open. He even names the goal — that they may receive me into their houses — hospitality secured in advance.
His motives are entirely self-interested, yet his logic is the hinge of the parable: he acts now with his eyes fixed on the day after his dismissal. That foresight is what Jesus will commend (verse 8) and redirect (verse 9). If a worldly man plans this decisively for a few uncertain years, how much more should those who know God live the present in view of everlasting habitations?
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 16:4
What does Luke 16:4 mean?
The steward settles on a plan: he will use his last hours in office to make friends who will receive him afterward.