Would the Lord Jesus ever commend or praise a scoundrel, someone who is a cheat and a swindler? We would not think so. In our Scripture for today, which is the parable of the unjust steward, a casual and superficial reading might think that was the case. However, this is a Scripture passage that needs a closer look to determine exactly what the Lord Jesus is saying, so one does not go away with a misconstrued interpretation. Let’s take a look at what this parable is saying.
As Jesus began telling His disciples this parable, He spoke of a rich man who had a steward that he was going to let go from his position because the steward was wasting his money, possibly being dishonest with the accounts or embezzling the money (vs. 1-2). The position of a steward was a trusted servant who was chief of management and distribution of the household provisions. He was to manage the master’s resources, and often acted as an agent to transact business in the master’s name. The wealthy man found out, though, that this steward was not one to be trusted.
So what did this dishonest steward do? He didn’t want to be out on the street with no job or place to live. Word might soon get around that he was dishonest, and he would not be able to get another job. He was a dishonest man, but he was also a clever one. He used his wily senses to make sure he would not be friendless and unprovided for. He called a number of his master’s clients and had them change their bills to read less, thus making sure these folks would appreciate him (vs. 3-7). When the steward was kicked out, these people would owe him a big favor, and would help him.
Outwitted, the master applauded the steward’s cunning. His admiration for the sinful steward’s deceitful genius showed that he, too, was probably just as unscrupulous, but naturally didn’t want to be cheated against. The scheming, devious, and underhanded plots are the ordinary course of events in this world, all to obtain transitory and corruptible treasures.
Jesus did not commend this man’s dishonesty. However, He does want us, His followers, to be wiser when we are concerned with eternal matters and not just with earthly ones. Most unbelievers are wiser in the ways of the world than some believers are towards the things of God. The unjust steward used his master’s money to buy earthy friends. Believers should use our Master’s resources, what He has given us here on earth, to get friends for eternity by bringing sinners to salvation, souls who will be in heaven and who will welcome us there.
If we use our money to help those in need, or to help others find Jesus, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefits (vs. 9). We should be using our finances and other resources to bring people to the Lord, not just for our own pleasure. Faithfulness in small assignments the Lord gives us qualifies us for the opportunity to serve in greater and more influential ways (vs. 10).
If a believer is faithful with the money God gives him, he will more likely be faithful in all other aspects of his Christian life. If the believer will not allow the Lord to have first place respecting money, he will likely be unjust in other spiritual matters. If we are not trustworthy with our money here on earth, we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God’s kingdom (vs. 11-12). If we can’t handle the “least” money, then how can we handle “much”, such as spiritual wealth? How we use our money is a good indication of how we are following Jesus. If our money is not at God’s disposal, our heart is probably not surrendered to God, either. We need to use our money for Him. Faithfully using our earthly wealth will ensure heavenly treasures.
The steward used his brains and mind to figure out a way to survive, although it was in an unscrupulous way. Are we using our brains and mind for the Lord in a good, wise, and righteous way? When believers are before the Judgment Seat of Christ, one thing we will be asked is to give an account of our stewardship. Are we wasting what the Lord has put in our hands?
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