The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
July 30, 2020
Commentary
We could title these verses, “The proper use of Money.” Our use of money is a good test of the lordship of Christ. Money can be a wonderful servant but a terrible master. We must remember that the love of money is still “the root of all kinds of evil” (I Tim. 6:10). The steward referred to here does not own the wealth himself, but he has the privilege of enjoying it and using it for the profit of his master. However, he forgets that he is a steward and begins to act as if he is the owner and wastes his master’s wealth. When his master hears about this, he immediately asks for an inventory and an audit of the books (vv. 1-2).
Before we judge this man too severely, we need to take inventory of our own lives to see how faithful we have been as stewards of what God has given to us. Many people think that all they need to do is give ten percent of their earnings to the Lord, and all the rest belongs to them to do with as they please. This is not what God’s word teaches. Heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. We are just as accountable for what we do with the other ninety percent as we are the ten percent. This stewardship not only includes our material wealth but it also includes our time (Eph. 5:15-17), our gifts, and abilities (I Pet. 4:10). We see this steward giving his masters’ creditors a generous discount if they will pay what they owe immediately (vv. 3-8). Jesus did not commend the steward for robbing his master but he did commend him for his wise use of opportunity (v. 8). Faithfulness is the key in stewardship (vv. 9-13). Money has the power to take God’s place in your life. It can become your master.
Application
Like this steward, I will one day have to give an account of my stewardship (II Cor. 5:10). I must heed what Jesus says about the right and wrong use of material things.
Luke 16:1– 13 (NET)
1 Jesus also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations that his manager was wasting his assets. 2 So he called the manager in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in the account of your administration, because you can no longer be my manager.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What should I do, since my master is taking my position away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m too ashamed to beg. 4 I know what to do so that when I am put out of management, people will welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So he contacted his master’s debtors one by one. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 The man replied, ‘100 measures of olive oil.’ The manager said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ The second man replied, ‘100 measures of wheat.’ The manager said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write 80.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the people of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes.
10 “The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own ? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Illustration: Journey to the Mouth of Coppermine River
In his book of sermons “The Living Faith,” Lloyd C. Douglas tells the story of Thomas Hearne, who, in his journey to the mouth of the Coppermine River, wrote that a few days after they had started on their expedition, a party of Indians stole most of their supplies. His comment on the apparent misfortune was: ‘The weight of our baggage being so much lightened, our next day’s journey was more swift and pleasant.’ Hearne was in route to something very interesting and important; and the loss of a few sides of bacon and a couple of bags of flour meant nothing more than an easing of the load. (Source Unknown).