Luke 16: 1-12, 19-31; 17: 11-19; 18: 1-14

The unjust steward brought his debtors to him and asked how much they owed. He then lowered their debt. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the lease is unjust also in much” (Luke 16: 10). This may sound like that the steward is being greedy or ungrateful but Elder James E. Talmage explains it differently. “It was not the steward’s dishonesty that was extolled; his prudence and foresight were commended, however; for while he misapplied his master’s substance, he gave relief to the debtors; and in so doing he did not exceed his legal powers, for he was still steward though he was morally guilty of malfeasance [wrongdoing]. The lesson may be summed up in this wise: … Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor! If you have not learned wisdom and prudence in the use of ‘unrighteous mammon,’ how can you be trusted with the more enduring riches?” (New Testament Institute Manual).

This parable teaches that you can not serve two masters, God and Mammon. Mammon meaning worldly riches and gain. The Pharisees were angry with this because they did covet their worldly possessions. The Lord told them that it was their right to do so, but it would come back down to the intent of their hearts, greed or faith. “The things to make clear on this parable is that the Lord did not say that the rich man was evil--only that with all the blessings he had been given, he did not give from his great wealth to someone in need. It may have surprised the Pharisees to hear that the rich man went to hell, while Lazarus went to paradise. In this parable, the Savior taught all of us to be wise in how we use the temporal and spiritual blessings given to us” (New Testament Institute Manual).

Ten Lepers asked the Savior to have mercy on them. The Lord said to go show themselves to the priests. As they showed themselves to the priests they were healed. When they realized they were healed one of the lepers a Samaritan returned to Jesus and fell at his feet to glorify him. Jesus then said wasn’t there ten lepers, where are the other nine. This one leper’s faith made him whole. President Monson said it bet to explain exactly how I feel when I read this parable. “My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love” (New Testament Institute Manual).

The unjust judge wouldn’t avenge a widow for the longest time. Then eventually he avenged her. This was good but Jesus shares that we should avenged people speedily as the Lord would do. This parable is given in context of the Savior’s teachings concerning His Second Coming, this affirms that the Lord will see that justice is done for His Saints at His Second Coming and during the Millennium that follows. Elder Holland gives this advice, “When lonely, cold, hard times come, we have to endure, we have to continue, we have to persist. That was the Savior’s message in the parable of the importuning widow. … Keep knocking on that door. Keep pleading. In the meantime, know that God hears your cries and knows your distress. He is your Father, and you are His child” (New Testament Institute Manual).

The Pharisee praised the Lord. He thought he was spiritually wise than everyone else. The Publican didn’t praise the Lord in the same way, he went humbly home and thanked the Lord for everything he was given. What makes this parable interesting is that the Pharisee’s are usually what people look up to as good people. The Publican’s are tax keepers and are not liked. Jesus had a reason for each of his parables. The four Gospels record no instance of Jesus being critical of those who were willing to listen, to be taught, and to change their lives for good. To the self-righteous, proud, or hypocritical, however, He was often fearless and unyielding in His denunciation of their behavior, as He was in this parable. The Savior stated the moral of the parable in terms of pride and humility: “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (New Testament Institute Manual).