Financially Faithful

When a wealthy man asked his corrupt manager for an account of his work, the employee realized that, owing to his poor work, he would soon be without a job. So, he said to his employer’s clients, “You owe my boss a hundred measures of oil? Pay fifty. You owe a hundred measures of wheat? Here’s a deal. Pay eighty!” The Bible says that “the master commended the unjust steward” for the reason that “he had dealt shrewdly” (Luke 16:8). The business owner was not affirming the man for his dishonesty or in any way countenancing unethical business practices.

He simply recognized that his soon-to-be former employee had been wise enough to use his position to secure his future.

He had not done so honestly, but he had done so cleverly.

The dishonest steward had entangled others in his deceptive scheme. Those he had helped were now obliged to help him in return.

They were bound together by their common dishonesty.

Jesus was certainly not sanctioning embezzlement or fraud. It was the rich man in the story who spoke favorably of his steward’s duplicity, not Jesus. Jesus was pointing out that as worldly, dishonest people use their means and position to get ahead in this world, the child of God should employ his or her means and position to lay up blessings in heaven. In contrast to the dishonest steward, God’s children are to use their means to honor God and to advance His cause. Selfishness inspires us to build bigger barns for the purpose of eating, drinking, and being merry.

Surrendering to God Places God first in our stewardship.

Unlike the dishonest steward who used the property of others to feather his own nest, a disciple of Christ will faithfully dedicate all he or she has to God.

When God is put first, He will be honored and His kingdom advanced, and the faithful steward will be blessed in this world and in the world to come.