Lessons
from The Parable of the Unjust Steward - Luke 16
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By Phillip Medhurst - Photo by Harry Kossuth, FAL, Link
He (Jesus) also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich
man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was
wasting his goods. So, he called him and
said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your
stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.”
This steward had his hand caught in the
cookie jar that didn’t belong to him. He was probably claiming personal
expenses over what he was allocated. Therefore, the rich man asked the steward
to justify his expenses before the termination of his position. Now, that gives
the steward time to plan for his future.
“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do?
For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am
ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to
do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their
houses.”
The plan according to the steward was to
take advantage of the time left of his employment to falsify the master account
book while he has still access to it. His scheme was about reducing the debts
from the master debtors - in return, the debtors would give credit to him in a different form of reimbursement.
“So, he called every one of his master’s debtors to
him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So,
he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you
owe?’ So, he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take
your bill, and write eighty.’”
The reaction from
the master surprised me, he admired the steward.
“So, the master commended (highly praised) the unjust steward because he had dealt
shrewdly.”
Not only did the master compliment the
steward, but Jesus also made a comparison between the steward and the sons of
light (Christians - believers). Jesus regards the steward as smarter, sharper,
more astute, and wiser than most Christians are. Go figure… Jesus' remark
doesn’t seem to help understand either, it made it somewhat difficult to
comprehend the benefit of struggling to be honest when someone is
complimented for being dishonest. But the point is, that Jesus' lesson is not
about honesty.
“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their
generation than the sons of light.”
Christians (sons of light, sons of the
truth), don’t you realize that Jesus insulted you? Jesus points out that
seculars act more shrewdly and more wisely toward their future, on their worldly
cares and its rewards whether it is acquired by honesty or dishonesty than the
sons of light (Christians) have toward their eternal future, which is a reward,
a statue of leadership reserved for them in the Kingdom of God. Hence, most
Christians act indifferently toward the Kingdom of God to come.
The seculars concentrate all their time
and energies on leaving a legacy to be remembered in their lifetime, while
Christians waste their time and energy not seeking God’s rewards, which is a
position of governance in the coming Kingdom of God. There are many Christians
that are not preparing for it. Worst, most Christians act no different than the
secular. Most Christians are caught up in the cares of this world, (Matt
13:22). The two main reasons for Christians' indifference toward the kingdom of
God are ignorance, (Hosea 4:6) and the lack of curiosity, (Proverbs 12:1,
Proverbs 14:18). Few pulpits teach about
the coming Kingdom of God and its rewards. Too many pulpits are keeping their
followers totally oblivious of their true destiny and purpose, teaching instead
that once you die you go straight to heaven without a resurrected body, (2 Tim 2:18) and/or focus on the subject of Christ's return for His
Church - the true rapture (1 Cor 15:50-54). Then once reunited in
heaven, we just hang around happily for eternity.
In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul explained; “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are
God’s field, you are God’s building,” workers meaning stewards, field
meaning the Church (refer to the parable of the tares, Matt 13:36), and the building is the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells (James 4:5). As a steward,
God entrusts us in a position of guardian over all His sphere of influence,
which is spiritual, political, and factual within our communities, in our
nation's - most importantly parenthood. We are the salt of the earth (Matthew
5:13), the light on the lampstand (Matt 5:15).
That is why I find it so sad when I see
Christians living in denial concerning their true calling and wasting their
time working out for their salvation (the doctrine is better known as
Lordship Salvation). They just don’t understand that Jesus did all the works of salvation on the cross once and for all time, (2 Tim 1:9, Heb 10:10). many denominations are actively preparing for the kingdom now. That also is Jesus's responsibility to build the Church by saving one soul at a time and to establish His kingdom. Have they not read the Book of Revelation? The Roman
Catholic Church clergies and as many protestant ministries alike keep their
congregations uninformed, by keeping their flocks in a state of fear of losing
their salvation, and in a state of repentance always, preaching the gospel of
grace continuously which is unprofitable works. I know, I was reared in the
Roman Catholic tradition.
Moreover, it is sad to see Christians
living in meaningless secular conditions for material good that will
eventually perish, (Matt 6:19). They have left their freedom of Christ's
foundation and His promises for mammon… go figure
“But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog
returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the
mire.”2 Peter 2:22
The Western nations' Christian Church is
the most lukewarm in the whole world[3]. The first thing you know is
that we are caught up in the care of this world with all its frustrations. It
is a distraction, and very unfruitful. I have my fair share of experiencing
anxiety due to financial downfall. The
care of this world causes Christian parents to lose their sovereign rights and
sole influence over their children's upbringing and education. We are too busy
making ends meet to be involved in parenting and actively being involved in
politics - public opinion. The result of our omission is that the federal and
provincial governments are now teaching sex and religious education which goes
against our Christian faith and values.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how
shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot by men.” Matt 5:13
Canadian Christians have become a doormat
trampled underfoot by the federal and provincial legislative bodies. Canadian
Christians failed to represent God’s principles within all Canadian
institutions, universities, schools and more importantly, within our own
family.
“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word,
and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and
he becomes unfruitful,” Matt 13:22.
He/she who becomes
unfruitful is he/she who denies his/her calling as a good steward. Jesus will
deny them their reward,
“If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself,” 2 Tim 2:12-13
Therefore,
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matt 6:19-21.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you,” Matt 6:33.
Jesus proceeds in teaching the principles
which are to be applied for good stewardship here on earth so that we may
qualify for a level of governance in the Kingdom of God to come. His principles
have a profound impact on our societies when applied. Many man-made principles have sneaked into
the Church (2 Tim 4:3). It is not surprising to see that tithing is one of
them, a mosaic covenant, (Deut 14: 22-29) not ordained by God to the Church
which is used as part of the prosperity gospel scheme and scam. The Church is
not Israel and lives by a different covenant. Within the Church, tithing has
everything to do with the false doctrine of indulgences, which is a process
used to accumulate wealth by many ministries. They run greedily in the error of
Balaam for profit, (Jude 1:11). No one can buy God’s gift of eternal life (Acts
8:20), it is given freely to whoever
believes in the Son of God, whose name is Jesus of Nazareth. No one can use
wealth to appease God's judgment as idol worshippers do toward their gods. No one
can use their wealth to buy favours from God either. The Mosaic covenant of
tithing never has been intended for the Church.
Many Christians are also deceived into
purchasing items considered sacred with power. Peter was not in the ministry to
make money, by selling objects with the promises to heal or provide protection,
and good luck. Peter freely gave the gospel of Christ resurrected and more
(Matt 10:8b). Incredibly many ministries such as Simon the Sorcerer take advantage of gullible Christians making a fortune by selling
promises with his magic that supposedly fulfill many unanswered prayers. Sad,
since many superstitious Christians do fall for false promises that turn up to
be a myths, believing in the power behind a statue, a cloth, an oil, a piece of
jewelry made in the shape of the cross, and bottled water from the Jordan
River. We, the Christians are the temple
of His Spirit that dwells in us, (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19). Let go of the lies and the
myths.
The Holy Spirit that dwells in each
individual Christian is the greatest gift ever given by God. God's Spirit in you
- God’s permanent presence in you, that makes you son of God; given only by an
act of grace and mercy to whoever confesses that Jesus is Lord and believed in
their heart Jesus resurrection, (Rom 10:9). The Father, The Son, The Holy
Ghost, and you - are one. (John 17:21). Why can’t Christians see and believe
that? Because we are living as humans instead of human beings as intended,
blinded from the purpose of our calling. That is to prepare us to reign with Jesus Lord of lords, Priest of priests
"Set your mind on the coming Kingdom of God"
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