Of all the topics Jesus taught about, He focused on two the most: the Kingdom of Heaven and money. Why? Because how we handle our wealth reflects what we believe about God’s Kingdom and how we experience it, both now and in eternity. When it comes to money, the Gospel of Luke is especially rich in wisdom. Through parables about wealth, Jesus shares profound lessons on stewardship, generosity, and the dangers of loving money.

Let’s dive into five key parables from Luke to answer the question, What Did Jesus say about money? (Note that this is a short overview– I encourage you to read all the scriptures for yourself!)

5 Parables about Wealth

1. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-35)

Sometimes, we want to help but feel limited by a lack of resources. The Good Samaritan shows us how wealth can become a tool for compassion. Former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, “No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he only had good intentions. He had money as well.”

In the parable, a man is robbed and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping. Then, a Samaritan—a businessman—comes along. Seeing the injured man, he has compassion and takes action. He uses his wealth to bandage the man’s wounds, transport him to an inn, and pay for his care…no matter how much he needed.

The Samaritan’s ability to help wasn’t just about his willingness; it was also about his financial freedom. His story reminds us that our resources can be a powerful way to reflect God’s love to the outcast and needy. 

2. The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

What happens when we prioritize wealth over God? The Parable of the Rich Fool is one of my favorite places to go to answer the question “What did Jesus say about money?” In this parable, Jesus tells of a farmer who had a bountiful harvest. Instead of sharing his abundance, he decides to build bigger barns to store it all and tells himself, “Eat, drink, and be merry.” But that very night, he dies. God calls him a fool for hoarding treasures on earth without being “rich toward God.”

When I was younger, I was like the rich fool. I reached financial freedom at a young age and was more than happy to play golf and sit on the couch all day. I had some barns, and I wanted bigger ones. However, God (and my wife) gave me a real wake up call, and I’m so grateful He did!

Jesus uses this story to warn against greed and misplaced priorities. After the parable, He advises His disciples: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor… provide yourselves with treasures in heaven that will never fail” (Luke 12:33). True wealth is found not in what we keep, but in what we give.

Related: God’s Purpose for Wealth: What Does the Bible Say About Money

3. The Great Banquet (Luke 14:12-24)

While dining at the house of a Pharisee, Jesus shares a radical teaching: “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed… you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14).

Jesus then tells one of His parables about wealth involving a wealthy man who invites many to a great banquet. However, the invited guests make excuses—they’re too busy with their possessions and personal affairs. The host is frustrated and invites the outcasts instead.

It’s easy to get so consumed with our busy lives that we ignore God’s invitation to sit at His table. The Parable of the Great Banquet reminds us to never let our work, responsibilities, or calendar get in the way of being with Him. Plus, it’s a great example of how we can use our resources to bless those who cannot repay us, mirror God’s generosity, and gain eternal rewards.

4. The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-9)

This parable describes steward accused of wasting his master’s wealth. Facing unemployment, he reduces the debts of his master’s borrowers and hopes they’ll help him later. Surprisingly, the master commends the steward for his shrewdness. Jesus concludes: “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

What’s the takeaway? Jesus isn’t encouraging dishonesty, but is urging us to be wise and intentional with our resources. He says, ““The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light” (Luke 16:8). This is a call to level up in wisdom and stewardship. Money is temporary, but when used to serve others and advance God’s Kingdom, it can have eternal impact.

5. The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

In this parable, a rich man lives in luxury while a beggar named Lazarus suffers at his gate. When both die, their roles reverse: Lazarus is comforted in heaven, while the rich man is tormented.

The rich man’s wealth wasn’t the problem—it was his indifference. He ignored Lazarus’ suffering during his life and created a chasm between them that lasted forever. Abraham tells him, “Remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony” (Luke 16:25).

This parable is a stark reminder to use our wealth to care for the poor. As long as we are alive, we have the opportunity to close the gap between ourselves and those in need.

What Did Jesus Say About Money?

Through these parables, Jesus offers timeless wisdom about wealth:

• Caring for the poor and outcast.
• Giving earthly wealth a heavenly purpose: Use your resources to serve God and others.
• Loving God and neighbor, not money: Wealth is a tool, not a master.
• Rejecting the spirit of mammon: Greed leads to spiritual poverty.

Wealth is not inherently good or bad. It’s a tool that can be used for or against God’s purposes. So, how are you using your money today? I hope these parables inspire you to be a faithful steward who serves others and honors God with everything He has entrusted to you.

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