PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD

LUKE 16:1-13

  I. Stewardship parable (16:1-8)

•              1/3 of Jesus’ teaching in parables

•          18 parables found only in Luke

•          Unlike allegory– not point by point interpretation

•          One major teaching– plus secondary points

•          16 out of 38 parables spoke of money

      Richard Halverson noted, “Money is an exact index to a man’s true character.”

•          Money can be wasted (1)

•          Money can be stolen (2)

•          Money can be taken dishonestly (3; without work, gift, or investment)

•          Money can be misappropriated (4; greed)

•          Money can be used for evil (8)

•          Money can be given away (9)

•          Money can be managed (10)

•          Money can be god (13)

      Wesley K. Willmer stated, “Stewardship is God’s way of raising people, not man’s way of raising money.”

•          Wealth gotten honestly (1)

•          Wealth taken wrongfully (2)

•          Wealth handled carelessly (3)

•          Wealth used charitably (4)

•          Wealth invested wisely (8)

•          Wealth understood eternally (9)

•          Wealth viewed spiritually (10)

•          Wealth surrendered willingly (13)

      Michel described a steward as a “kind of ‘house-keeper,’ ‘estate manager,’ or ‘accountant.’” Thayer defined a steward as a “manager. . . to whom the head of the house or proprietor has intrusted the management of his affairs. . . .”

1 Cor. 9:17 [ESV]. For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

Eph. 3:2 [ESV]. assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

      A. Manager

Lk. 12:42 [GNB]. The Lord answered, “Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant? He is the one that his master will put in charge, to run the household and give the other servants their share of the food at the proper time.

1 Pet. 4:10 [GW]. Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.

          1. Dishonest manager (1)

              a. Indictment

              b. Embezzlement

      The steward violated ethics.

•          “They can afford it”

•          “It doesn’t matter”

•          “Everyone does it”

•          “No one will know”

      The steward violated economics (three options).

•          “What’s yours is mine, I’ll take it”

•          “What’s mine is mine, I’ll keep it”

•          “What’s mine is yours, I’ll give it”

          2. Disqualified manager (2)

1 Cor. 9:27. But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

          3. Deceitful manager (3)

Prov. 14:35 [ESV]. A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

          4. Devious manager (4-7)

2 Sam. 15:4 [HCSB]. He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”

Prov. 24:8 [ESV]. Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.

      Ron Blue wrote, “I have observed that most American Christians have lifestyle as their top priority and second, because of their lifestyle, debt repayment. Taxes would be a third priority because they have no choice; fourth would be accumulation; and finally, giving. The line of reasoning goes this way: I am already committed to a certain lifestyle and debt schedule, which God surely wouldn’t want me to change, I would gladly give up paying my taxes, but I can’t. I am giving and would give more if it weren’t for the taxes I have to pay and the money I need to set aside for the future because that is good stewardship.”

          5. Discreet manager (8)

Mt. 10:16 [ESV]. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

      Nothing in the parable hinted that the steward lived by faith. The steward concerned himself with getting enough. Ron Blue asked, “Will I ever have enough? Will it continue to be enough? How much is enough?”

      Patrick Morley wrote, “We are programmed to consume, because the dominant economic theory employed in America is that progressively greater consumption of goods is beneficial.” Morley called this a “media-generated standard of living anxiety.”

      Lee Davis explained, “In such a pervasively economic society, we are led to believe that self-worth is determined by our income. This overemphasis on income as self-worth tends to reduce all goals to acquiring more money. We overwork and spend our money for more unsatisfying goods and services.”

      B. Master

          1. Riches of the master (1)

Lk. 12:44 [ESV]. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

          2. Reckoning to the master (2)

Rom. 14:12 [NIV]. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

1 Pet. 4:5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

          3. Removed by the master (3)

Rev. 22:19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.

          4. Receipts for the master (4-7)

Lk. 7:42 [GW]. When they couldn’t pay it back, he was kind enough to cancel their debts. Now, who do you think will love him the most?

Phile. 18. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] ought, put that on mine account;

          5. Recommendation from the master (8)

Eph. 2:2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph. 5:8 [ESV]. for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

      The Bible outlines Christian money management.

•          Delay gratification.

•          Save for the future.

•          Choose a lifestyle less than the income.

•          Stop getting into debt.

•          Evaluate the economic and spiritual sense of any purchase.

•          Pray concerning expenditures. “Every spending decision is a spiritual decision.”

•          Give “off the top.”

•          Get rich slowly.

 II. Stewardship principles (16:9)

Lk. 16:9 [GW]. Jesus continued, “I’m telling you that although wealth is often used in dishonest ways, you should use it to make friends for yourselves. When life is over, you will be welcomed into an eternal home.”

•          The steward’s wealth was his lord’s.

•          The steward’s wealth would not last.

•          The steward’s wealth worked for the lowest.

      A. Investigate for the future

      Wiersbe wrote, “The Lord Jesus did not commend this steward for his unethical actions. He commended him for his wise use of his opportunities.”

      Wiersbe stated, “The steward made some radical changes in his life when he realized he was going to face his master and give account.”

      James M. Boice said, “He was eminently wiser than countless people who. . . fail to plan for that moment when they must, each one, give an accounting before God.”

“But they do not care enough about their souls to insure themselves against the one thing that most certainly will happen: they must die, meet God, and give an accounting.”

      Matthew Henry said, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.”

1 Jn. 2:28 [NIV]. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

      B. Invest in the future

Mt. 6:20 [GNB]. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal.

Mt. 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

      Randy Alcorn wrote, “We’ll each part with our money. The only question is when. We have no choice but to part with it later. But we do have a choice whether to part with it now.”

      Randy Alcorn wrote, “Because we all will eventually give an account of our lives to God (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10), one day everyone must answer these questions: Where did it all go? What did I spend it on? What has been accomplished for eternity through my use of all this wealth?”

      John Wesley said, “Do not you know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud your Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?”

      One day every steward will stand before the Master. Now, before it is too late, stewards can send treasures ahead by using money to win friends for heaven.

III. Stewardship precepts (16:10-13)

      A. Least

Lk. 19:17 [GW]. “The king said to him, ‘Good job! You’re a good servant. You proved that you could be trusted with a little money. Take charge of ten cities.’”

1 Cor. 4:2 [NIV]. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

          1. Prosperity

      Boice said, “How we handle our money is a tip-off to how faithful we would be in other areas, and faithfulness in this and all areas of earthly responsibility is rewarded with spiritual treasures.”

          2. Philanthropy

      Wiersbe wrote, “When the crisis came, this man suddenly realized that he was a steward. He owned nothing but had the privilege of managing everything for his master.”

      George Muller told of a Boston merchant named Mr. Cobb. At the age of twenty-three, Cobb drew up the following document. “By the grace of God I will never be worth more than 50,000 dollars. . . . I will give one-fourth of the net profits of my business to charitable and religious uses. If I am ever worth 20,000 dollars I will give one-half of my net profits: and if I am worth 30,000 dollars, I will give three-fourths; and the whole after 50,000 dollars.” Muller noted, “He distributed the profits with an increasing ratio, from year to year, till he reached the point which he had fixed as a limit to his property, and then gave to the cause of God all the money which he earned.”

      William Barclay illustrated, “John Wesley’s rule of life was to save all he could and give all he could. When he was at Oxford he had an income of £30 a year. He lived on £28 and gave £2 away. When he income increased to £60, £90 and £120 a year, he still lived on £28 and gave the balance away.”

      B. Lord

          1. Owner (Dt. 8:11-18; Ps. 24:1, 50:10-12; Hag. 2:8; Jas. 1:17)

          2. Servant

Jos. 24:15 [ESV]. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Col. 3:24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.