(This parable was probably addressed to the same audience as the parables of “lost” things in Luke 15. It seems to be directed more specifically at the Lord’s disciples, but verse 14 shows that that there were scribes and Pharisees present too.)
In the Lord’s “story,” a wealthy man has learned that his steward is misusing his estate. He sends word to the servant word that his “accounts” will soon be audited. It appears that the master has already seen proof of the steward’s malfeasance, so only a reckoning and dismissal remained to be carried out. Shaken out of his comfortable living situation, this dishonest manager evaluates his prospects and does not like what he sees — “I am ashamed to beg, and too old to dig” (work as a day laborer). While he still has authority over his master’s estate, the man determines to use his position to bring his master’s creditors into a position of favor toward him by reducing their indebtedness (effectively, cutting their “interest rates”). When the master arrives and the accounting is made, the steward’s actions are obvious; the master’s reaction – “…his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly” (vs. 8) – acknowledged that the steward showed foresight by providing for his future (he is not excusing the man’s dishonesty).
This parable is challenging for some students because careless reading leaves the impression that Jesus commended the servant’s unethical use of his position. Nowhere does Jesus actually approve the steward’s actions; this man simply illustrates the Lord’s point that, “the children of the world are wiser than the sons of God” (vs. 8b). This is the main point of the parable, that worldly people often put more thought and effort into obtaining material riches than God’s people put into gaining eternal rewards!
There are several valid points we can make from this parable:
- Some Christians spend less than 5 percent of our time in study, prayer or worship (participating in ALL the regular bible classes and worship assemblies each week would occupy less than 2.5 percent of the 168 hours we have each week!).
- Verse 9 says we should seize the opportunities that come to us (like the unrighteous steward did), using whatever means are at our disposal to teach the gospel so that when the time comes for us to “account” to our Master, we will have an eternal tabernacle to anticipate!
- The “final analysis” in verses 10-13 echoes the point in vs. 9. We must show that we are faithful and diligent in how we use what God provides – time, talent, money – so that we receive true riches at the time of judgement.
The basic point is that Christians ought to “buy up” every opportunity that comes our way, while it is available (Ephesians 6:15; Colossians 4:5, cf. Matthew 25:6-13) because there will be a time when it is simply “too late.” The underlying principle here is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, that every Christian should try to seize and use every opportunity we get because if we are not faithful in the “little” things God gives us in this life, like the master in the parable He has no reason to trust or believe that we will be faithful in the “great” things of eternal life!
We simply can’t have it both ways!
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