The Parable of the Unjust Steward

By: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98030

Subject attitude; money

Preached Originally: 06/07/98 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.    In Lk. 15 Jesus responds to the attitude of he scribes/pharisees who thought highly of themselves and looked down upon those who Jesus kept company with.

1.    Lk. 15:1-7 - parable of the lost sheep - demonstrating the tremendous love of Christ and concern for man

2.    15:8-10 - parable of the lost coin - dedication & determination for find Christ can pay off

3.    15:11-32 - the parable of the prodigal son.

B.    16:1 - Jesus now directs His words to the apostles.

1.    16:1-8a - story of the unjust steward.

2.    16:8b - 13 - application of the parable

3.    16:14-15 - responds to the derision of the Pharisees who heard him tell this story.

C.   The parable of the unjust steward is considered by many to be difficult.  Perhaps some of you have anxiously awaited to hear this sermon because of a recent class.

1.    this is a parable that perplexes many.

2.    Some believe that Jesus was commending the unjust steward for dishonesty.

3.    However after our lesson today perhaps we will more clearly understand the main point of the parable.

D.   Let us examine this parable that we may benefit from it.

 

II.  The Facts of the Parable.

A.    Lk. 16:1-2 - the wasteful steward.

1.    a rich man heard that his steward was wasting his goods.

a.    a steward was a manager of the household, property, or business of an owner.

b.    Rich man was going to dismiss the steward for wasting goods after giving a report.

B.    16:3-8a - the steward's shrewdness.

1.    what can I do?

2.    Not strong enough to work; to proud to beg.

3.    Determines to win a home w/debtors of mater by reducing their bill.

a.    perhaps he would become a steward for them later.

b.    notice by doing this, he cheats His maters even more!

c.     But in doing so he plays into the favor of the other debtors.

4.    Some have suggested that the steward removed what interest had occurred with the debts.

a.    although interest forbidden by OT law - Ex. 22:25; Deut. 23:19 - often this practice ignored the law.

b.    Scholar: rich had steward charge interest & then if confronted, rich would deny it.  (had plausible deniability built in)

c.     If steward removed only interest, then this not only pleased debtors, the master could not publicly object.

C.   v. 8a - steward commended by his master.

1.    notice the phrase - v. 8a - b/c he dealt shrewdly

a.    not commended for misuse or dishonesty

b.    commended for his preparation for the future.

1.    master couldn't deny that steward was shrewd enough to know how to use what he had to his advantage.

2.    Later when w/o food/shelter those whom he had helped would help him.

D.   A helpful thing to remember when studying this:

1.    we admire the wisdom of Rahab the harlot because of her faith & works - not b/c she was a harlot or that she lied to her people about the spies.

2.    Many disagree with FT of others, but see something to commend: e.g., the zeal of the JW in personal work.

 

III.  Application of the Story.

A.    16:8b - Christ compares the sons of the world & the sons of light.

1.    shrewd can be defined as:

a.    characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.

b.    Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky

2.    first definition reveals that being shrewd doesn't always mean evil.

B.    Jesus observation in 16:8b is simple.

1.    people are generally very resourceful with the things of this world.

2.    Such is not always true w/people of God.

3.    E.g., people in world are avid golfers; fisherman; seamstress; business people.  More they pursue in world better they become.

4.    Likewise we need to be committed in our pursuit of seeking God.

a.    we need to be experts, pros in serving God.

C.   16:9 - the admonition of Jesus.

1.    some have said this is a hard verse to understand.

a.    mammon is Gk. form of the Aramaic word for "money, riches, property, worldly goods, or profit."

1.    Jesus calls it "unrighteous" not because of the material of which it is made is corrupt, but b/c it is often obtained & used for unrighteous purposes.

2.  notice the phrase - they may receive you in v. 9

a.    they refer to the friends made through the use of mammon.

b.    If we give to saints in need, win their friendship, who having gone on before, these will welcome us into heaven.

D.   Main point of parable: we as children of God need to make the proper use of material riches.

1.    need to use them w/a view of eternity.

2.    Need to be aware of the danger of riches.

3.    Our use of money will determine where we spend eternity.

4.    Should use what we have in life in the service of God in order to assure an eternal reward.

 

IV.  Jesus' Admonition to be Faithful.  (v. 10-12)

A.    faithful in least - faithful in much.  Unfaithful in least - unfaithful in much.

B.    V. 11 - notice Christ applies this to the matter of "mammon."

1.    if we haven't been faithful in our handling of "mammon" (material riches) how can we expect to be entrusted with "true riches" (spiritual riches)?

2.    Mt. 25:14-30 - parable of the talents.

a.    must take things we have been given and use them for the glory of Almighty God.

b.    Do so?  Blessed.  Gain more.

c.     Do not? Condemned.

C.   v. 12 - riches we have are not our own.

1.    we have been entrusted by God with the things that we possess.  Do we realize this?  I know I forget….

2.    Notice the words of Jesus in v. 12…

a.    if we aren't faithful with that which belongs to another…then who will give us what is ours?

b.    What we obtain on our own depends on how we use the things of another.

c.     Unfaithfulness in managing another's goods proves one unworthy to be given much himself.

3.    must realize we are simply stewards.  Nothing we have is really ours - but God's!

D.   v. 13 - the warning concerning two masters.

1.    God & mammon are uncompromising opposites.  Mammon tends to draw people away from God.

2.    Faithfulness to one puts the other in a part time capacity.

a.    since we can't serve bot - we must control mammon through proper use.

3.    some desire to prove the Lord wrong.  Think they can serve both.

a.    notice:  Jesus said it can't be done.

b.    Must flee the desire to be rich and the love of money.

 

V.  The Response of Jesus to the Pharisees.  (16:14-16)

A.    v. 14 - Pharisees had been listening to Christ's conversation w/His disciples.

1.    they were lovers of money.

2.    Common for lovers of money to deride the lesson presented in this passage.

3.    Even some today do the same thing.

B.    v. 15 - sought to justify themselves w/men - but God knew their heart.

1.    may have thought they had an argument against Christ.

2.    They were lovers of money.

C.   God & man often don't see things alike.

1.    men esteem riches/money highly.

2.    Using money improperly is an abomination before God!

 

VI.  Conclusion.

A.    There is a great final audit coming.  Each one of us will be called in to the master and say: give an account of your stewardship.

1.    this parable designed to make us think about the proper use of material riches.

2.    Jesus wants us to be shrewd in our use of what He has blessed us with.

B.    Use them (material riches) w/a view of eternity, demonstrate that we can be faithful w/true riches and what will one day be ours.

1.    we can use mammon properly making it our servant, rather than our master.

2.    On day of judgment how we have handled our stewardship will be all that matters.

C.   Let us joyfully receive the word of the Lord and follow it.

D.  I N V I T A T I O N