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The Unjust Steward

Illustration of The Unjust Steward

In this parable told to his disciples Jesus portrays a steward accused of squandering his master's goods who, facing dismissal, shrewdly reduces the debts owed to secure future favor among the debtors. The master commends the manager's foresight even in his unrighteousness, underscoring how the children of this world often act with greater wisdom toward their ends than the children of light. Through the account the Lord calls believers to employ worldly resources with eternal purpose in view and to prove faithful in the least things entrusted by God, thereby gaining true riches in his kingdom.

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Category: Stewardship

Meaning: The parable teaches believers to use worldly resources shrewdly for eternal purposes and to prove faithful in small things entrusted by God.

Audience: Disciples

Key Passages

The Parable

Luke 16:1-13

A1nd he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 5 So he called every one of his lordโ€™s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another manโ€™s, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Did You Know?

1

The dishonest manager reduced the debts of his master's debtors so they would welcome him after he was fired.

2

Jesus said the master commended the manager for his shrewdness.

3

The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

4

Jesus calls His followers to use worldly wealth wisely and generously in light of eternity.