What is the meaning of the passage of the unfaithful steward? (Part 4).

[Leonardo Von]

What is the meaning of the passage of the unfaithful steward? (Part 4).

Finally, let’s figure out the passage of unfaithful steward.

In this passage, the steward was using the goods of his lord for his own benefit (for delight of his flesh) and, for this, the goods of his lord was vanishing (diminished).

The lord trusted so much in his steward (for some reason he was very dignified before his eyes) that he didn’t care about his goods (he left all in the hands of his steward, as It took place with Joseph – Gen 39:5,6; 21-23; 42:39,40). The proof of this is that the lord only found out the he was losing money because somebody ratted the steward out. Otherwise, the lord would not perceive this.

This lord was somebody rich, which desires to accrue goods and regale (like the crazy rich man of Luke 12:13-21 and the rich man of the next passage – Luke 16:19-31). The proof of this is that:

1.    he was called “generation of this world” (Luke 16:8);
2.    he was exploring the people around them with high interests (this was condemned – Ez 18:8,13,17);
3.    the wealth of this lord was unrighteous (Luke 16:9).

This lord was stingy (Like the Pharisees - Luke 16:14).

When this lord found out that his fortune was diminishing, he ousted the steward.

Nonetheless, before leaving, the steward should apprise his lord (note that the lord didn’t know anything about his good because he trusted blindly in his steward). Taking advantage of this, the steward was eating more than he needed or, perhaps he was throwing parties. It’s good to observe that the debt was food.

So, the steward thought: once I am losing the stewardship, what should I do?

1.    I can’t dig. See that he didn’t say that he didn’t desire, but he couldn’t.
2.    I am ashamed of begging;

So, he took the following decision: knowing that he would be banned and, thereby, he would lose his commission, he called all the debtors, of his lord and allowed them to rewrite the value of their debts discounting his commission. And this should be done very fast because there were many debtors to cope with and he had to give account on his administration at that moment. He thought that, if he did this, he would be ingratiated himself with them. Of course, this isn’t truth:

•    Son 8:7 -> “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.”.

But, in his ignorance, he thought this and his lord praised him in virtue of this perception. Instead of leaving the things as they were (without caring for the debtors) or try to defraud the book for vengeance and, with this to be caught, arrested or despised in virtue of his hostility (rebelliousness) and dishonesty, he helped the debtors without harm his lord and without suffer any loss.

Jesus, then, made the observation that, before the generation of this world, those who use their methods to sort out the problems are wiser than the sons of the light who try to solve the problems praying and biding until Jesus shows what to do.  For the worldly people, this waiting is craziness (1Cor 2:14-16).

Have a good day serving to your employer as if you are serving to Christ (Eph 6:5). If you are the owner, remember that all of those under your authority are your herd in Christ. Take care for them with love, justice and truth.

Tomorrow we will carry on.