Parable of the Unjust Steward
Luke 16.1
Jesus, in earshot of the Pharisees, told this story -
Luke 16:1-9
1 Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.
2 So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'
3 "The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg- 4 I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
5 "So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6 "'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied.
"The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'
7 "Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'
"'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied.
"He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'
8 "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
(from New International Version)
On the surface Jesus appears to be condoning thieving, because the manager (or 'steward' in the KJV) was using the rich man's money to buy favours. Then Jesus ends by saying "use worldly wealth to gain friends" !
What does this mean then ?
The Pharisees
Jesus told this story so that the Pharisees would be able to hear.
Luke 16:14
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
(from New International Version)
As it says above, they "loved money". They loved money, power, and the acclaim of men more than they loved God, more than they loved their country or their fellow-man, more even than their own mother and father.
They were heartless men who would ignore a dying man and pass by on the other side of the road. They would choose their own trivial customs rather than see a man or woman healed.
They laid heavy burdens on the people, but would not themselves lift a finger to help them.
John 8:43-44
43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer . . .
(from New International Version)
Background of the Message
Because the Pharisees had not an inkling in the way of spiritual understanding, Jesus decided to tell them a story of a typical manager or steward out there in the real world; and he told it in language they could understand.
The manager had a big problem brought on by poor performance, and now he was panicking, he was about to lose all his income.
The Worldly Solution
The manager acted swiftly. He needed to prepare for tomorrow and unemployment. He needed to start to make friends real fast.
Judged by the standards of cheats and liars he used shrewd common sense - he generously forgave a number of creditors debts owed to his boss, the owner of the business.
Now they "owed him one", and he could go to them tomorrow and seek work.
The Real Message to the Pharisees
"Look, you Pharisees, you may have fine positions now, but you are very soon going to lose everything, your money, your positions, your lives."
"Act quickly while you have time, use common sense. Share what you have with others. Make friends with the Son of God and he will look after you when he comes in his kingdom."
Conclusion
Jesus does not encourage Christians to steal or falsify documents.
His message to the Pharisees was like Jesus's message to the rulers and presidents of the nations today -
Ps 2:10-12
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
. . .
(from New International Version)
created 29oct06
upd.6nov06 - John 8 43-44 added
upd.12nov06 - minor
|