Luke 16:9

[Pamelasv]

This is the parable about the unrighteous steward, but what I haven't come to know is what verse 9 means.  "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings."  Maybe the following has something to do with it. vs. 11 and 12.  "Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 

 

 

But this really is what I don't understand, just to be clear:

 

"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings."

[Guest shiloh357]

This might take a bit to explain so bear with me.   Jesus is drawing rural farm life in an agrarian society.   It was common for wealthy land owners to let out their properties to tenants who would use the land for crops and pay the owners large sums of money or the equivalent in goods that they produce on the land.  In this story we have steward who was managing more than one estate and it was his job to make sure the that the owner is getting what due him.  

 

There is a immense amount of money and goods that is being managed and so as is often the case, there is a temptation to skim from the top by steward, even though he was well-paid.  Well as is it always ends up, the numbers aren't adding up and the steward's dishonesty is discovered.  

 

So he receives word that he is about to be called on the carpet and will have to face his master and give an account for himself.  He has just a short window of time.  He also knows that once his actions are made public, no one will want to hire him and he will either be a beggar or a doing hard manual labor for much less money.

 

So he hatches a plan. So far know one else knows what is happening so he quickly calls in all of the people who are debtors to the master and he slashes their debts significantly.  Because he is still in charge of the master's affairs, as steward, and since his word is as good as the master's word, the debtors think the steward is acting on the master's behalf and at his order.  

 

Brad Young in his commentary on parables observes that this action puts him in good stead with other land owners and gain him favor if or when he needs to seek employment from them and it makes the master look good and bring him more honor in public for being so kind to his debtors.  It is therefore, in the master’s interest not to make public the reason the steward has been terminated.  He won’t risk losing honor by exposing the dishonesty of the steward.  He must play along with the steward.  Reneging on the benevolence that has been done in his name would ravage his reputation.¹

 

Kenneth Baily writes, “The master knows full well that in the local village there has already started a great round of celebration in praise of him, the master as the most noble and most generous an that ever rented land in their district.  He has two alternatives:  He can go back to the debtors and explain that it was all a mistake that the steward has been dismissed and thus his actions were null and void.  But if the master does this now, the villagers’ joy will turn to anger and he will be cursed for his stinginess. Second, He can keep silent accept the praise of tat is even now being showered on him and allow the clever steward to ride high on the wave of popular enthusiasm.  This master is a generous man.  He did not jail the steward earlier.  To be generous is a primary quality of a nobleman of the east.  He reflects for a moment and then turns to the steward and says, ‘ You are a very wise fellow.’  One of the Old Testament definitions of ‘wisdom’ is an instinct for self-preservation.^"2

 

Jesus is not praising the steward for misrepresenting his authority to handle the master’s affairs.  Jesus is commending him for is ability to make good use of his opportunity.

 

1. Young, Brad. Parables p. 241

 

2. Bailey, Kenneth E. Poet and Peasant. pp. 101-2

[By Faith]

I just signed up.

The short answer is the unjust steward was commended by the Lord for acting wisely. The children of light are dumb when it comes to money. We need to be just as dilligent in the World of money and things as the unsaved. Not dishonest, but just as tough.

Also not being broke is good, when their money system fails and ours of reaping and sowing wins out, they will welcome us. Folks always welcome those with money or something to give.

Edited December 17, 2014 by By Faith

[FreeinChrist]

 

This might take a bit to explain so bear with me.   Jesus is drawing rural farm life in an agrarian society.   It was common for wealthy land owners to let out their properties to tenants who would use the land for crops and pay the owners large sums of money or the equivalent in goods that they produce on the land.  In this story we have steward who was managing more than one estate and it was his job to make sure the that the owner is getting what due him.  

 

There is a immense amount of money and goods that is being managed and so as is often the case, there is a temptation to skim from the top by steward, even though he was well-paid.  Well as is it always ends up, the numbers aren't adding up and the steward's dishonesty is discovered.  

 

So he receives word that he is about to be called on the carpet and will have to face his master and give an account for himself.  He has just a short window of time.  He also knows that once his actions are made public, no one will want to hire him and he will either be a beggar or a doing hard manual labor for much less money.

 

So he hatches a plan. So far know one else knows what is happening so he quickly calls in all of the people who are debtors to the master and he slashes their debts significantly.  Because he is still in charge of the master's affairs, as steward, and since his word is as good as the master's word, the debtors think the steward is acting on the master's behalf and at his order.  

 

Brad Young in his commentary on parables observes that this action puts him in good stead with other land owners and gain him favor if or when he needs to seek employment from them and it makes the master look good and bring him more honor in public for being so kind to his debtors.  It is therefore, in the master’s interest not to make public the reason the steward has been terminated.  He won’t risk losing honor by exposing the dishonesty of the steward.  He must play along with the steward.  Reneging on the benevolence that has been done in his name would ravage his reputation.¹

 

Kenneth Baily writes, “The master knows full well that in the local village there has already started a great round of celebration in praise of him, the master as the most noble and most generous an that ever rented land in their district.  He has two alternatives:  He can go back to the debtors and explain that it was all a mistake that the steward has been dismissed and thus his actions were null and void.  But if the master does this now, the villagers’ joy will turn to anger and he will be cursed for his stinginess. Second, He can keep silent accept the praise of tat is even now being showered on him and allow the clever steward to ride high on the wave of popular enthusiasm.  This master is a generous man.  He did not jail the steward earlier.  To be generous is a primary quality of a nobleman of the east.  He reflects for a moment and then turns to the steward and says, ‘ You are a very wise fellow.’  One of the Old Testament definitions of ‘wisdom’ is an instinct for self-preservation.^"2

 

Jesus is not praising the steward for misrepresenting his authority to handle the master’s affairs.  Jesus is commending him for is ability to make good use of his opportunity.

 

1. Young, Brad. Parables p. 241

 

2. Bailey, Kenneth E. Poet and Peasant. pp. 101-2

 

 

Excellent Post, Shiloh; letting my poor English Grammar out I got me some good learning from that.

 

[Pamelasv]

I havent had much sleep lately, so i wanted to explain why i have not said anything in here before posting another post.  I havent read the long posts yet, i wanted to be awake to really try to understand what the other person was saying regarding this. 

[Guest]

I haven't had much sleep lately,

 

~

 

Praying~!

[Pamelasv]

Liked the explanations. The thing that bothers me is, how can unrighteous people welcome us into eternal dwellings. I won'the be where they are.

[lavey.online]

 

This might take a bit to explain so bear with me.   Jesus is drawing rural farm life in an agrarian society.   It was common for wealthy land owners to let out their properties to tenants who would use the land for crops and pay the owners large sums of money or the equivalent in goods that they produce on the land.  In this story we have steward who was managing more than one estate and it was his job to make sure the that the owner is getting what due him.  

 

There is a immense amount of money and goods that is being managed and so as is often the case, there is a temptation to skim from the top by steward, even though he was well-paid.  Well as is it always ends up, the numbers aren't adding up and the steward's dishonesty is discovered.  

 

So he receives word that he is about to be called on the carpet and will have to face his master and give an account for himself.  He has just a short window of time.  He also knows that once his actions are made public, no one will want to hire him and he will either be a beggar or a doing hard manual labor for much less money.

 

So he hatches a plan. So far know one else knows what is happening so he quickly calls in all of the people who are debtors to the master and he slashes their debts significantly.  Because he is still in charge of the master's affairs, as steward, and since his word is as good as the master's word, the debtors think the steward is acting on the master's behalf and at his order.  

 

Brad Young in his commentary on parables observes that this action puts him in good stead with other land owners and gain him favor if or when he needs to seek employment from them and it makes the master look good and bring him more honor in public for being so kind to his debtors.  It is therefore, in the master’s interest not to make public the reason the steward has been terminated.  He won’t risk losing honor by exposing the dishonesty of the steward.  He must play along with the steward.  Reneging on the benevolence that has been done in his name would ravage his reputation.¹

 

Kenneth Baily writes, “The master knows full well that in the local village there has already started a great round of celebration in praise of him, the master as the most noble and most generous an that ever rented land in their district.  He has two alternatives:  He can go back to the debtors and explain that it was all a mistake that the steward has been dismissed and thus his actions were null and void.  But if the master does this now, the villagers’ joy will turn to anger and he will be cursed for his stinginess. Second, He can keep silent accept the praise of tat is even now being showered on him and allow the clever steward to ride high on the wave of popular enthusiasm.  This master is a generous man.  He did not jail the steward earlier.  To be generous is a primary quality of a nobleman of the east.  He reflects for a moment and then turns to the steward and says, ‘ You are a very wise fellow.’  One of the Old Testament definitions of ‘wisdom’ is an instinct for self-preservation.^"2

 

Jesus is not praising the steward for misrepresenting his authority to handle the master’s affairs.  Jesus is commending him for is ability to make good use of his opportunity.

 

1. Young, Brad. Parables p. 241

 

2. Bailey, Kenneth E. Poet and Peasant. pp. 101-2

 

Nice explanation ...

 

Also kindly go through the word in "Young's Literal Translation" :

and I say to you, Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye may fail, they may receive you to the age-during tabernacles.

[Augustine17]

I think its like making the best of an opportunity. When you try to evangelize to someone when there isn't a golden chance it could turn into them being stubborn and ignoring it but gain their favor and then they will not respond as bad, but might believe it. Paul was cunning in evangelism and it is written:

 

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. - 2 Corinthians 12:16

 

It is about being crafty. Help people and do not burden them and you might gain their favor which makes it easier to get them to convert, idk about using money because I think there are some scenarios that could be unhealthy but maybe its about being resourceful in general.