The Parable of the Unjust Steward
George Slover
There has never been a time in the history of
the world when the average working man has had
as much money to use for leisure. This parable
(Lk. 16:1-9), which seems to be difficult in interpretation,
contains an extremely important lesson for
those who live in such affluent times.
Jesus tells of a certain rich man that employed
another to be his steward. But, this steward
wasted his master’s goods (vs.1). Thus, the
master confronted his steward and warned that he
would soon remove him from his stewardship
(vs.2). The steward, too lazy to work, and too
proud to beg, devised a clever plan to protect his
interests. His strategy was to make friends with all
of his lord’s debtors by settling with each of them
for a reduced amount (vs.4). His plan was executed
expecting that each of them would provide
him housing when he was released. His devising
was not only a dishonest handling of his lord’s
money, but was sophisticated “bumery”. However,
the story has a surprising ending. His master
commends the unjust steward for his shrewdness
(vs.8).
It is at this point that Jesus makes an application
of the parable (vs. 8-13). The words of Jesus
contain some puzzling phrases. For example (vs.
8) Jesus says: “For the sons of this world are
shrewder in their generation than the sons of light”
(vs.8). Did Jesus really use a dishonest steward to
make a point? Yes, however, Jesus did not
commend the steward’s dishonesty, but his shrewdness.
What was true then is also true today.
Those of the world use more wisdom in pursuing
the things they desire than Christians in pursuing
spiritual things. Thus, the warning: let the disciples
of Christ be wiser in pursing fellowship with
God.
The second puzzling phrase is found in verse
9: “Make friends for yourselves by unrighteous
mammon…” Did Jesus really instruct his disciples
to make friends with that which is “unrighteous”?
Yes, but only in the figurative sense, for the Lord
has no affinity for anything that is truly unrighteous.
To help us understand verse 9 consider the
contrast (verses 9-11) between “unrighteous mammon”
and “true riches”. The “unrighteous mammon”
represents material possessions and the
“true riches” represents the spiritual things. To
understand the first part of verse 9 we might ask a
question: when do material things become one’s
enemy? They become one’s enemy when they
divert one’s attention from pursuing the “true riches.”
How one uses his possessions will determine
his destiny in the Day of Judgment. One must
make sure his prosperity doesn’t become his
enemy. He must use his material things to serve
God so that when he dies he will be received into
“everlasting habitations.” By keeping this perspective
one remains “faithful in the unrighteous
mammon” (vs.11). Jesus concludes the parable
by saying: “No servant can serve two masters; for
either he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will be loyal to the one and despise the
other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke
16:13).
So, in what areas may one apply these principles?
One’s body is a material habitation of the
soul, truly a gift from God. But, God does not want
one to use his body for self gratification, but for
God’s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Time is also
a precious possession in this physical world. Unfortunately,
the “sons of light” are often not wise in
their use of time (Eph. 5:15). Just as the world is
shrewd in pursuing physical things, we must be
wise in using the evil days to reach for the “true
riches.” Opportunity is a wonderful blessing. But,
God exhorts us to use our opportunities to do good
for our neighbor (Gal. 6:10). While many opportunities
may arise for us to help in the physical realm,
the greatest good that one can do for his neighbor
is to teach him the gospel. Are we wiser than the
sons of this world in these matters? Talent and
money can be great resources, but only if they are
used wisely so that one may be received into
everlasting habitations. Local churches are always
in need of volunteers who will join them doing
in doing the work of the Lord.
If one’s real desire is to please God and go to
heaven, he must not turn his blessings into curses.
He must act wisely and use them for the glory of
God.