Sermons on Luke 16:13

Luke 16:13 Interpretation:

Resisting Mammon: Loyalty, Stewardship, and Generosity (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) offers a multifaceted interpretation of Luke 16:13, notably distinguishing between having two employers and having two masters, emphasizing that the passage is about undivided loyalty rather than mere dislike or hatred. The sermon delves into the Greek nuance of "hate," explaining it as a displacement of loyalty rather than active animosity. It also uses the analogy of a slave in the ancient world, whose every moment belonged to their master, to illustrate the total claim God has on the believer’s life. The preacher further explores the evolution of the word "mammon," noting its shift from meaning entrusted wealth to representing security and idolatrous trust in material possessions. The sermon uniquely frames the spirit of mammon as a spiritual force that subtly shifts allegiance from God to self, and uses personal anecdotes and practical illustrations (like the story of the truck and ministry) to show how possessions can become idols unless intentionally surrendered for God’s purposes.

Jesus: Our Sovereign King and Call to Discipleship (Christ Community Church of Milpitas) and "Jesus: The King Who Demands Our Total Allegiance" (Christ Community Church of Milpitas) both present a vivid metaphor of the "chair" or throne of the heart, where Jesus refuses to share space with any rival, including money, politics, or personal idols. The sermons use the image of clearing off a child’s chair to illustrate the exclusivity of Christ’s rule, and extend the application beyond money to any competing loyalty. The preacher’s use of the chair metaphor is a fresh, memorable way to communicate the demand for total allegiance, and the sermons repeatedly stress that discipleship is a process of removing rivals from the throne of one’s life so that Christ alone reigns.

Building a Christ-Centered Church Community (SermonIndex.net) interprets Luke 16:13 with a diagnostic analogy: if both God and money call you, the one you respond to is your true master. The sermon emphasizes that the real test is not how much money you have, but whether you love it—using the example of both rich and poor who can be equally enslaved by money. The preacher also highlights that Jesus did not contrast God and the devil, but God and money, making the point that the real rival to God’s lordship is often materialism, not overt evil.

Radical Discipleship: Embracing the New Covenant (SermonIndex.net) closely echoes the diagnostic analogy from the previous sermon but adds a layer by connecting the mastery of money to the foundation of discipleship. The preacher insists that the true test of mastery is which "call" you answer—God’s or money’s—and that a disciple must make a "complete break" with money’s hold, not necessarily by becoming poor, but by ensuring money has no grip on the heart. The sermon also frames money as a "very little thing" in Jesus’ teaching, and insists that faithfulness in this area is a prerequisite for receiving "true riches" from God.

Serving God Over Wealth: Lessons from Zacchaeus (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique interpretation of Luke 16:13 by connecting the command to "hate" money with Jesus' earlier statement in Luke 14:26 about hating one's family in comparison to loving God. The sermon clarifies that "hate" does not mean total rejection but rather a refusal to let money (or family) come between oneself and God’s will. The preacher uses the story of Zacchaeus to illustrate that true salvation is not just from hell or sin, but specifically from the love of money, arguing that Jesus’ declaration of Zacchaeus as a "son of Abraham" is directly tied to his radical change in attitude toward wealth. The analogy of receiving a "certificate" from Jesus for being saved from the love of money is a novel metaphor, emphasizing the internal transformation over external status or poverty.

Faithfulness, Stewardship, and Choosing God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) interprets Luke 16:13 by critiquing the common Christian attempt to compartmentalize life into "God" and "money" sections, arguing that Jesus’ statement is a direct challenge to this duality. The sermon uses the analogy of "compartments"—one for business, one for faith—to show the impossibility of serving both masters, and highlights the self-deception of thinking one can successfully juggle both. The preacher also draws a sharp distinction between using money as a servant versus being enslaved by it, urging listeners to make money a tool for God rather than a master.

Faithful Living: Trusting God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) provides a striking analogy by comparing the relationship between God and money to marital fidelity, stating that loving both is akin to a wife telling her husband she loves another man but loves him more—labeling this as spiritual harlotry. The sermon insists that the two masters in Luke 16:13 are not God and Satan, but God and wealth, and that the real test of discipleship is exclusive loyalty to God, not a mere preference for God over money. This analogy is presented as a unique and provocative way to expose the divided heart.

Embracing the New Covenant: Heartfelt Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) interprets Luke 16:13 as a foundational principle for building a New Covenant church, arguing that the spirit of Babylon (worldliness) is rooted in the attempt to serve both God and money. The preacher uses the metaphor of "two masters" as a litmus test for authentic discipleship and church life, insisting that radical separation from the love of money is essential for genuine spiritual community. The sermon also draws a contrast between the Old Covenant tithe and the New Covenant call to present one's whole body as a living sacrifice, suggesting that partial giving (of money or self) is a form of divided service.

Luke 16:13 Theological Themes:

Resisting Mammon: Loyalty, Stewardship, and Generosity (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) introduces the theme of "undivided loyalty" as the heart of Luke 16:13, arguing that the passage is not about active hatred but about the displacement of ultimate allegiance. The sermon also develops the idea of stewardship as a spiritual trust, where all possessions are God’s and believers are merely managers, accountable for their use. It further explores the "spirit of mammon" as a demonic force that subtly shifts priorities from God to self, and insists that generosity and stewardship are spiritual disciplines that break mammon’s hold.

Jesus: Our Sovereign King and Call to Discipleship and "Jesus: The King Who Demands Our Total Allegiance" (Christ Community Church of Milpitas) develop the theme of Christ’s exclusive kingship, applying Luke 16:13 to all areas of life, not just finances. The sermons argue that Jesus’ demand for total allegiance extends to politics, personal ambitions, and even good things that can become idols. The "chair" metaphor is used to illustrate the ongoing process of sanctification, where disciples must continually remove rivals from the throne of their hearts. The sermons also introduce the idea that allegiance to Christ will inevitably create conflict with other loyalties, and that discipleship requires choosing Christ whenever such conflicts arise.

Building a Christ-Centered Church Community (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the true rival to God is not the devil but money, and that the love of money is a hidden, diagnostic test of one’s true allegiance. The sermon also emphasizes that the issue is not wealth itself but the heart’s orientation, and that even the poor can be mastered by money if they love it.

Radical Discipleship: Embracing the New Covenant (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that faithfulness with money is foundational to spiritual growth and receiving deeper spiritual riches. The sermon insists that money is a "very little thing" in God’s eyes, and that only those who are faithful in this area can be entrusted with greater spiritual responsibilities. It also connects the mastery of money to the broader call of radical discipleship, where nothing is allowed to rival Christ’s lordship.

Serving God Over Wealth: Lessons from Zacchaeus (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that salvation, in the context of Zacchaeus, is specifically salvation from the love of money, not just from sin or hell. The sermon further develops the idea that being a "son of Abraham" is defined by one's attitude toward wealth and willingness to make restitution, linking spiritual inheritance to financial integrity. The preacher also explores the concept that God’s blessing (the "Blessing of Abraham") is ultimately the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which transforms one’s relationship to money.

Faithfulness, Stewardship, and Choosing God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that the love of money is universal—affecting both rich and poor—and that the true test is not the amount possessed but the heart’s orientation. The sermon also highlights the danger of consumerism and compulsive spending as modern forms of mammon-worship, expanding the application of Luke 16:13 beyond traditional greed to include debt, credit, and material addiction. The preacher’s critique of gambling and the lottery as expressions of discontent and ingratitude toward God is a fresh angle on the passage.

Faithful Living: Trusting God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the love of money is the primary competitor for the Christian’s love, not Satan, and that the true test of faithfulness is demonstrated in practical financial decisions—such as refusing debt, living simply, and never soliciting funds for ministry. The sermon’s insistence that even a small degree of divided loyalty is spiritual adultery is a distinctive theological emphasis, as is the claim that God tests believers in the area of money before entrusting them with greater ministry.

Embracing the New Covenant: Heartfelt Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the spirit of Babylon—defined as maximizing personal gain while minimizing personal cost—is the antithesis of New Covenant discipleship, which requires total surrender. The sermon also teaches that the New Testament equivalent of the tithe is the offering of one’s entire self, and that any attempt to serve both God and money is a fundamental betrayal of the gospel. The preacher’s policy of never taking offerings or paying church leaders is presented as a theological statement against the commodification of ministry.

Luke 16:13 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Resisting Mammon: Loyalty, Stewardship, and Generosity (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) provides detailed historical context about slavery in the ancient world, explaining that a slave had no time of their own and was wholly owned by their master. This background is used to illuminate the total claim God makes on the believer’s life in Luke 16:13. The sermon also traces the historical evolution of the word "mammon," noting its original meaning as entrusted wealth and its later association with idolatrous trust in material security. Additionally, the preacher references the cultural context of polytheism in the Old Testament, where the problem was not denying God but placing Him alongside other "gods," drawing a parallel to modern divided loyalties.

Building a Christ-Centered Church Community (SermonIndex.net) briefly references the historical context of the Protestant Reformation and subsequent church movements, noting how love of money persisted as a problem across denominations. The sermon also mentions the ancient context of slavery and the impossibility of serving two masters, reinforcing the radical nature of Jesus’ claim.

Radical Discipleship: Embracing the New Covenant (SermonIndex.net) references the practice of money changers in the Jerusalem temple and Jesus’ twice cleansing the temple, highlighting how making money from God’s people was uniquely offensive to Jesus. The sermon also notes the early church’s practice of not taking offerings for pastors but only for the poor, contrasting this with later church traditions.

Serving God Over Wealth: Lessons from Zacchaeus (SermonIndex.net) provides detailed historical context by explaining the cultural practice of restitution in Zacchaeus’ time, including the calculation of interest and the giving of ill-gotten gains to the poor when the original owners could not be found. The sermon also references the Old Testament law regarding curses and blessings, connecting Deuteronomy 21 and Galatians 3 to the idea of the "Blessing of Abraham" and its fulfillment in Christ. The preacher further explores the ancient Near Eastern customs of property rights and inheritance, using the story of Abraham and Lot to illustrate the principle of relinquishing material claims for the sake of peace and spiritual inheritance.

Embracing the New Covenant: Heartfelt Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) offers historical insight into the economic structure of ancient Israel and the early church, noting that the tithe was a legal requirement under the Old Covenant, whereas the New Covenant calls for voluntary, cheerful giving. The sermon also discusses the prevalence of business and profit-making in Babylon as a symbol of worldliness, contrasting it with the God-centeredness of Jerusalem. The preacher references the practice of not paying church leaders or taking offerings as a deliberate response to the scandals and accusations of financial impropriety in the Indian Christian context, aiming to provide a countercultural witness.

Luke 16:13 Cross-References in the Bible:

Resisting Mammon: Loyalty, Stewardship, and Generosity (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) references several passages to expand on Luke 16:13: 1 John 2 (the trifecta of lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life), Deuteronomy 6 (warning against following other gods), Matthew 4 (Jesus’ temptation and the offer of the kingdoms of the world), Revelation 13 (the collapse of worldly systems), and Matthew 25 (the parable of the talents and the final judgment based on stewardship). Each reference is used to reinforce the idea that divided loyalty is spiritually fatal, that stewardship is a matter of eternal accountability, and that the love of money is a spiritual threat akin to idolatry.

Jesus: Our Sovereign King and Call to Discipleship and "Jesus: The King Who Demands Our Total Allegiance" (Christ Community Church of Milpitas) use Luke 18 (the rich young ruler) and Luke 19 (Zacchaeus) to illustrate the practical outworking of Luke 16:13, showing two different responses to Jesus’ demand for exclusive allegiance. The sermons also reference Zechariah 9 (the prophecy of the king entering Jerusalem on a donkey), 2 Kings 9 (the anointing of Jehu and the act of spreading cloaks), and the angelic proclamation in Luke 2 ("peace in heaven and glory in the highest") to show the continuity of the theme of kingship and allegiance. The preacher also alludes to Micah 6:8 ("do justice, love mercy, walk humbly") and the prophetic tradition of speaking truth to power.

Building a Christ-Centered Church Community (SermonIndex.net) references the stories of Abraham and Job as examples of wealthy men who loved God, and Philemon as a New Testament example. The sermon also cites Matthew 23 (Jesus’ command not to use religious titles), 1 Corinthians 11:1 (Paul’s call to imitate him as he imitates Christ), and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (the command to work and not be idle) to support its teaching on church life and stewardship.

Radical Discipleship: Embracing the New Covenant (SermonIndex.net) references Luke 14 (conditions of discipleship), Luke 9:23 (taking up the cross daily), John 2 (Jesus cleansing the temple), and Luke 21 (the second cleansing). The sermon also cites Matthew 28 (the Great Commission), Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount), and Luke 13 (the narrow door) to frame the radical demands of discipleship and the centrality of money as a test of allegiance.

Serving God Over Wealth: Lessons from Zacchaeus (SermonIndex.net) references several passages to expand on Luke 16:13: Luke 14:26 to explain the meaning of "hate" in relation to God and money; Galatians 3:13-14 and Deuteronomy 21:23 to connect the curse and blessing of Abraham to the work of Christ; Psalm 37:21 to define the wickedness of not repaying debts; Romans 13:8 to command believers to "owe no man anything"; Genesis 12-14 and 23 to illustrate Abraham’s attitude toward property, restitution, and refusing gifts from the ungodly; and 1 Corinthians 14:1 to encourage prophetic ministry that addresses practical needs. Each reference is used to reinforce the principle that faithfulness in financial matters is integral to spiritual identity and inheritance.

Faithfulness, Stewardship, and Choosing God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) cross-references the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9) to provide context for Jesus’ teaching on faithfulness with money, and alludes to Paul’s teaching on work and faith (without citing specific verses) to argue that faith is expressed in everyday financial and vocational decisions. The sermon also references Hebrews 1 and other passages on worship to contrast superficial religiosity with practical obedience in the area of money.

Faithful Living: Trusting God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) references Matthew 6:33 ("seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness") as a promise of God’s provision for those who prioritize Him over money. The sermon also alludes to 2 Corinthians 5:21 and other passages on Christ’s example, as well as Ecclesiastes 2:26 to contrast the accumulation of money with the pursuit of wisdom, knowledge, and joy. Romans 13:8 is cited to reinforce the command against debt, and the preacher draws on the example of Paul’s ministry as a model of financial integrity.

Embracing the New Covenant: Heartfelt Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) references Ezekiel 33:30-33 to illustrate the danger of hearing God’s word without obedience, and Malachi 1:11 to prophesy the spread of pure worship among the nations. The sermon also cites Romans 12:1-2 as the New Testament equivalent of the tithe, 2 Corinthians 9:7 on cheerful giving, Zechariah’s prophecy about the absence of businessmen in the house of God, and Luke 14:26-33 on the cost of discipleship. The preacher uses these cross-references to argue that wholehearted devotion to God, including financial integrity, is the foundation of authentic church life.

Luke 16:13 Christian References outside the Bible:

Resisting Mammon: Loyalty, Stewardship, and Generosity (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) explicitly references William Barclay’s commentary, quoting his insight that "no man can be a slave to two owners" and explaining the ancient context of slavery to illuminate the meaning of Luke 16:13. Barclay’s historical and linguistic analysis is used to reinforce the sermon’s argument about total allegiance and the impossibility of divided service.

Stewardship: Living Responsibly with God's Gifts (Yadkinville United Methodist Church) draws extensively on John Wesley’s teachings, especially his three rules for money: "earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." The sermon references Wesley’s sermon "The Use of Money" and his 22 daily questions, particularly the challenge to "pray about all the money you spend." Wesley’s historical context and practical advice are used to frame the modern application of stewardship and the dangers of turning money from a tool into an idol.

Embracing the New Covenant: Heartfelt Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, as an example of lifelong commitment to a God-given mission. The preacher quotes Booth’s resolve to "fight till my last breath" against social injustice, using it as a parallel to his own commitment to building New Covenant churches. The sermon also mentions Charles Finney as an evangelist who emphasized the need for repeated teaching until true understanding and transformation occur, and alludes to the biographies of other Christian leaders as sources of inspiration for radical discipleship.

Luke 16:13 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Resisting Mammon: Loyalty, Stewardship, and Generosity (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) uses several detailed secular illustrations: the analogy of bananas and rotten fruit to describe the corrupting influence of worldly desires; the story of buying a truck and using it for ministry, with the lesson that possessions become idols unless surrendered to God; and the anecdote of buying someone’s meal at Bojangles as a way to use money to build relationships and open doors for witness. The preacher also references the American cultural obsession with security (401ks, stock market) and the futility of trusting in material wealth, using the example of the stock market crashing and the impermanence of money.

Jesus: Our Sovereign King and Call to Discipleship and "Jesus: The King Who Demands Our Total Allegiance" (Christ Community Church of Milpitas) employ the vivid metaphor of a child’s chair cluttered with toys and clothes to illustrate the throne of the heart, and the process of clearing it for Christ alone. The preacher also uses the example of sports jerseys (specifically San Francisco 49ers gear) as personal idols, humorously confessing reluctance to surrender them to Christ. Additionally, the sermons use the imagery of political mascots (the donkey and elephant) to represent partisan loyalties, arguing that these too must be dethroned in favor of Christ’s kingship. The preacher references the animated character Mr. Incredible to illustrate the imbalance in many churches between personal piety and public engagement, using the "skipping leg day" meme to make the point memorable.

Stewardship: Living Responsibly with God's Gifts (Yadkinville United Methodist Church) references the Super Bowl and the half-billion dollars spent on advertising as an example of cultural pressure to buy things we don’t need, illustrating the sermon’s point about the dangers of consumerism and the need for discernment in spending. The preacher also uses the example of churches in McDowell County competing to buy video board signs as a metaphor for keeping up with the Joneses, and the common experience of buying unnecessary items that end up unused in closets as a warning against wasteful spending.

Faithfulness, Stewardship, and Choosing God Over Wealth (SermonIndex.net) uses several detailed secular illustrations to illuminate Luke 16:13. The preacher critiques the lottery and gambling as modern expressions of greed, describing the act of buying a scratch card as a rejection of God’s provision in favor of the "hundred dollars the devil may give me." The sermon also references images of Afghan refugees fleeing with nothing, contrasting their former attachment to possessions with the sudden realization of their true value in crisis. The preacher further describes American consumerism through the example of yard sales filled with unused, labeled clothing, and the phenomenon of maxed-out credit cards at the checkout counter, portraying these as symptoms of serving money rather than God. These vivid, contemporary examples are used to challenge listeners to examine their own attitudes toward wealth and consumption.