Luke 16.1-13

PRUDENCE

Parable of the Unjust Steward.

(Luke 16.1-13)

'And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.' Luke 16.8.

The parable of the unjust steward is probably one of the most difficult parables of Jesus for us to understand.

At a first glance, it appears that Jesus is commending the dishonesty of the steward, and using it as an example for us to imitate.

So let us look again at this parable of Jesus.

ooOOOoo

We are told that there was a rich man who had a steward to look after his business affairs. This was not unusual in New Testament times when there were many absent landlords who employed someone to keep an eye on their business affairs.

However, the problem arose when the steward heard that his boss was wanting an update report concerning his business and, because he had been taking liberties, was afraid his dishonest dealings would become known. And if that happened, he knew he would be without a job and have no alternative but to dig or beg for a living, which he did not fancy.

So the steward sent for some of his master's debtors. These were either those who paid rent in kind for the use of his master's land, or merchants who had promised to buy the produce from his master's land. Whichever it was, there was no doubt that he was short changing his employer. On the other hand, he might have been charging an illegal commission for his work.

In order to rectify the paper work, he persuaded one debtor to alter his account from 100 measures of oil to 50 measures of oil, and the other to amend his account from 100 measures of wheat to 80 measures of wheat. In fact, he was so crafty, that he got the debtors to amend their own respective accounts so that the same handwriting would not reveal his own dishonesty.

In other words, he was cooking the books.

And we are told that the 'lord' commended the unjust steward because he had done wisely, or prudently.

ooOOOoo

Now most commentators are agreed that the ‘lord', or ‘master’ in the story is Jesus, and that the second part of verse eight is the observation of Jesus, namely, that, 'the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light'.

[Incidentally, the following verse is thought to be the observation of Luke for the benefit of the early Christian church, for which he wrote his gospel, and therefore need not concern us.]

It would therefore appear at first glance, that Jesus is approving of the dishonest actions of the steward.

However, I would suggest that we focus our attention, not upon the dishonest actions of the steward, but rather upon the fact that he recognised the serious personal crisis which faced him and that he was prepared to take the necessary action to correct the situation. In other words, Jesus is not applauding the steward's roguery but his resourcefulness when he found himself in a tight spot.

Jesus is saying, if I might paraphrase his words, ‘Oh, if only my followers would bring to God’s business the same resourcefulness that men of this world bring to theirs’. Or, to put it another way, 'Give me men and women who will show as much practical sense in God’s business as worldlings do in theirs’.

ooOOOoo

Now, just stop for a moment and consider the amount of time and research we are prepared to devote towards buying a new car or house, compared with the casual approach we adopt towards our eternal salvation.

Consider how a business tycoon will work night and day in order to make his pile; or an ardent communist, with no belief in the after-life, will devote all his or her time and talent to spreading their propaganda and seek the key posts in the trade unions; or how we try and insure against all the changes and chances of this fleeting world, which might befall us. Yet we are not prepared to apply ourselves with the same degree of seriousness as regards our eternal happiness?

I can hear Jesus saying, 'Oh, if only my followers would be as serious, and devote as much time and energy, in preparing for what awaits them'.

ooOOOoo

So let us resolve today, to apply ourselves with the same degree of seriousness in preparing for the crisis which we will one day face, as did the steward in the parable of the unjust steward. Amen.