Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2008-06-13 10:08.

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Jesus directed his next parable to his disciples. These disciples would have included all those who believed in him and were following him at the time. (Luke 16:1)

A wealthy man received word about his steward’s mismanagement of the property. He then summoned his steward, questioned him about the accusation, requested that he render an account about his management, and informed him that he would no longer continue to be his steward. In view of the impending loss of his position, the untrustworthy steward thought about what he would be able to do. He did not feel that he had the strength to perform hard manual labor (“digging”), and he was ashamed to support himself by begging. So he decided on a scheme to ingratiate himself with the debtors of his master, causing them to feel indebted to him and prompting them to welcome him into their homes after he would no longer be his master’s steward. (Luke 16:1-4)

He summoned the debtors of his master individually, asking them how much they owed and then had them write out an agreement with a much lower amount. The position of steward allowed for such a change to be made, as the individual had the authority to act as the representative of the master. In one case, the dishonest steward reduced the debt of 100 bath measures (about 580 gallons [U.S.]) of olive oil to 50 (about 290 gallons [U.S.]). For another debtor, he reduced 100 cor measures (about 624 bushels [U.S.]) of wheat to 80 (about 500 bushels [U.S.]). (Luke 16:5-7)

The steward’s maneuvering came to the master’s attention and, according to the literal Greek of the parable, he “commended” the steward. The wording of the parable strictly limits the master’s commendation to one reason, “because [the steward] had acted wisely,” cleverly, or shrewdly. Accordingly, the master’s commendation is portrayed as nothing more than an acknowledgment of the steward’s shrewdness or cleverness in working out a scheme to assure his future welfare. (Luke 16:8)

Based on the parable, Jesus pointed out that, in their dealings with the people of their own generation, the “sons of this age are wiser than the sons of light.” (Luke 16:8) The “sons of this age” designate unbelievers, whereas the “sons of light” are persons who believed in Jesus and had started to benefit from the enlightenment they had received through him. When it comes to planning for the future and securing their own interests, individuals who have no higher aims than to get all they can from their present life often are intensely focused and very shrewd or clever when maneuvering to attain their objectives. By contrast, believers frequently manifest far less intensity and diligence in the pursuit of the real life or the eternal life of a never-ending relationship with God and Christ. They are often distracted by daily cares, concerns, or desires of a mundane nature.

Jesus urged his disciples to make friends for themselves with “mammon of unrighteousness” or unrighteous riches. He may have referred to wealth or money as “unrighteous” because an ardent desire to acquire riches often leads people to engage in dishonest or sharp practices. Those who accumulate great wealth may do so through clever maneuvering at the expense of others. (Luke 16:9)

For believers to make friends with their mundane assets would mean to use them in a manner that God would approve, generously coming to the aid of those in need. Then, whenever money or material assets might “fail,” be lost, or cease to have any real value on account of changed circumstances, the Most High would look favorably upon the past record of generous and compassionate giving. The greatest friends anyone can have are the heavenly Father and his Son. They are the ones in possession of the “eternal tents,” into which they can welcome all who have rightly used whatever assets they may have had. (Luke 16:9)

Compared with the riches associated with eternity, material assets have very limited value. Therefore, the noble use of material assets is a reflection of the faithfulness or trustworthiness of the individual. As Jesus said, “The one faithful in what is least is also faithful in much, and the one unrighteousness in what is least is also unrighteous [unjust or dishonest] in much.” Unfaithfulness, untrustworthiness, or dishonesty respecting unrighteous riches would reflect a serious moral defect. It would demonstrate that the individual could not be entrusted with true riches, the eternally valuable treasure associated with an approved relationship with the heavenly Father and his Son. (Luke 16:10, 11)

If, as Jesus continued, a person did not prove to be faithful, trustworthy, or honest respecting something belonging to someone else, who would give the individual something for himself, with the implied understanding that the asset given would be used aright? (Luke 16:12) In the final analysis, everything of a material nature is obtained from the earth, and the Most High is its owner and hence of everything associated with it. Therefore, assets that individuals may have are not really their own but available to them only for temporary use, which, at best, is limited to a lifetime. A failure to use these assets aright would rightly disqualify one from receiving the enduring riches of those with an eternal inheritance in the realm where God is Sovereign and reigns through his Son, the king whom he has appointed.

Those who would prove themselves to be Jesus’ disciples, therefore, need to keep their focus on that which is eternal and not on transitory riches. It is impossible for a slave to serve two masters, with each one demanding the same time and attention from him. A slave would have to choose which master he would obey and which one he would ignore, loving and being devoted to the one he served and hating and despising the one he refused to serve. Jesus concluded with the words, “You cannot slave for God and for mammon” or riches. (Luke 16:13) There is no room for divided loyalties, as faithfulness to God is involved in every aspect of life.