Our Scripture today is a rather puzzling parable that Jesus told. It is one that has confused many Christians, and I will admit that when I was a new Christian, it puzzled me the first few times I read it. What is Jesus talking about? It almost looks like He is condoning wrong behavior! Since that can’t be, then what is He trying to teach us with this very odd parable? Let’s look into this one.
Our Scripture begins with Jesus telling His disciples the parable. There was a wealthy man, and he had a steward, a man who was manager of his business. This manager had not been handling his job properly, so the owner decided to let him go, to fire him. He had a day or two to get his affairs in order, and then he would be discharged (vs. 1-2). In those days there were no unemployment benefits, no welfare benefits. If he didn’t find another position quickly, he could be in dire straits. Being a cunning and somewhat devious person, he came up with a plan. He took out all of the paperwork of people who owed the business owner money, got in touch with them, and cut their bills in half. That way they would be indebted to him, and owe him a favor. He would have plenty of guest rooms to stay in while unemployed! (vs. 3-7).
When the business owner found out, what could he do? For him to roll back the cunning manager’s debt forgiveness for so many people would have been a public relations nightmare. He couldn’t do that, and he grudgingly admired the manager’s cunning (vs. 8). This steward, or manager, had planned ahead. Instead of moaning about his soon-to-be job loss, he worked out a plan to ensure his well-being, though in his case it was done dishonestly.
Jesus did not tell this parable to commend or approve of the steward’s dishonesty. Instead, He wanted to teach the disciples the importance of prudence and shrewdness. He was showing us the need to act with foresight, as the steward did. Though he had obviously done something to get himself fired, he used his abilities to come up with a plan, though dishonestly. If the “sons of this world”, the unsaved, use their brains to think up schemes like this, then the “sons of light”, the saved, need to be using theirs in a good and godly way (vs. 8).
How many churches, good churches, face disasters because this or that plan of theirs failed? These could have been avoided if they had sat and used their intelligence, their God-given gifts and common sense, instead of just rushing ahead with the first thing they think of, and then later moaning over their failed programs, saying “our hearts were in the right place”! If only they had carefully planned and used wisdom. God will give us His wisdom when we ask Him (James 1:5).
Jesus is not encouraging us to do wrong. However, He does want us to use all of the gifts that God has given to us, including intelligence, creativity, and the ability to plan ahead. If wicked people can use these things, how much more should the people of God? Whatever gifts God has given you, use them in ways that honor and glorify Him.
Our Scripture continues as Jesus gives a lesson on stewardship, the right use of our money. He exhorts His followers to “make friends” with unrighteous mammon or worldly money. This is a metaphor for using money to serve eternal purposes (vs. 9). Our churches and all of the programs that help to spread the Gospel in our neighborhoods, country, and around the world do need money to continue. Are we spending our money on the latest technological gadgets for our home, on fancy dining, or instead on helping to spread the Gospel? If we are faithful to God in little things, He will trust us with more (vs. 10-11). Earthly wealth is a test of trustworthiness. God owns everything, and we are just His stewards. Faithfulness in material things is a prerequisite for spiritual stewardship. As Christians, we should treat every dollar as a tool for ministry.
In the final verse of our Scripture passage, Jesus draws a line. Loyalty to God cannot coexist with a devotion to wealth. The word “mammon” refers to material wealth, and it is personified here as a rival master. We cannot truly be serving the Lord Jesus while at the same time putting our money, our wealth, and our possessions first. We are called to single-minded devotion to God.
As we close, we are reminded that every believer is a steward, and our handling of money reflects our spiritual maturity. Jesus isn’t praising dishonesty. Instead, He is urging us to be wise, faithful, and eternally minded.
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