Luke
16:1-15—The parable of the unjust
steward.
An absentee landlord leaving his affairs in the hands
of an estate-manager was not uncommon. It is unclear whether the steward was
guilty of dishonesty or merely incompetent. There appears to be malice by the informants
yet the Master makes no judgment about the cause of the waste other then he can
no longer be the manager.
It is clear however, that he is going to lose his
position. This is the critical reality; a day of greatly changed circumstances
is near. It is a day of reckoning. And the steward knows it. His soliloquy
muses on his dilemma.
Herein lies the point of the parable; the steward is
within the context of his knowledge and values planning ahead. He must behave
in such a way that will benefit him when after he is removed. For this he will
be commended as far-sighted. The steward is banking on the mercy of the Master.
Likewise, as the sons of light need to cling to the mercy of Christ. Heaven is
what will be given you. We need a merciful Master.
Jesus asks a telling question; if in connection with
money you are not being faithful who will entrust you with true wealth.
People need guidance on how to handle their money. Is
it a virtue to be poor and a sin to be rich? Should a Christian despise money?
Isn’t the love of money the root of all evil? In our Gospel lesson for Sunday
Jesus has advice about money. He says that money can be your god. For a
disciple this is an impossible situation, for no one can serve two gods. Trying
to love two is impossible to do! Should a Christian then not strive to
accumulate possessions? Where do you draw the line that money will not be in
reality your god? John Wesley suggests a Christian should:
1. Get all the money
you can.
2. Save all the
money you can.
3. Give all the money you can.
Prayer for
steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father because of Your
tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in
him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that
we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life
everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [2]
[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for a steadfast faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 14, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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