THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD

Luke 16:1-9

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Last month, we began a brief study of some of the lesser-known parables. 

1.    We defined the word “parable.”

a.    Parables involve real life, factual stories to which every hearer could relate.

b.    Alongside these stories, Jesus would lay spiritual lessons.

c.    Thus, the definition of the term is “to lay alongside of.”

2.    In some of Jesus’ parables, He surprises His students with the role of some of the characters.

a.    A Samaritan helped a wounded Jew in “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:32).

b.    A publican is commended in Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and Publican who went to the temple to pray (Luke 18:13-14).

 

B.   In the parable we will be studying, Jesus uses an interesting character and a somewhat troubling action to reveal a lesson to God’s people.  The account is known as:  “The Parable of the Unjust Steward” found in Luke 16:1-9.

 

I.             AN ACCUSATION (Luke 16:1)

 

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

 

A.   A man with riches

1.    Rich men in societies are not something new.

2.    Rich men are not necessarily evil individuals.

3.    Rich men are usually creative and innovative where others are not.

B.   A man with responsibilities

1.    The rich man hired a steward.

2.    A steward is an overseer of another man’s goods.

3.    In today’s society, we often refer to these individuals as managers.

4.    The rich have many affairs happening.  They cannot be concerned about the minutia of their finances.  Thus, they puts someone in charge of them.

C.   An accusation to be researched

1.    When a person is put in charge of another person’s money, it is easy to be tempted.

2.    It is also very easy to spend another person’s money.

3.    The steward “was accused” of having wasted the rich man’s goods.

4.    Often fraud and abuse eventually come to light.

 

II.           THE ACCOUNTABILITY (Luke16:2)

 

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee?  Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

A.   A question of review

1.    “How is it that I hear this of thee?”

2.    The duty of a steward is to be faithful (1 Cor. 4:2).

3.    This man had been vetted.  His references had checked out.  He was supposedly a person of high caliber.

B.   An opportunity for reply

1.    When a person is held accountable, he should be able to respond to the accusations.

2.    In our society, we have this rule:  “A man is innocent until proven guilty.”

C.   The call for removal

1.    It appears that the man could not present evidence that would refute the accusations.

2.    The verdict was:  “…thou mayest be no longer a steward.”

 

III.         THE ANXIETY (Luke 16:3)

 

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do?  For my lord taketh away from me the stewardship:  I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

 

A.   The words of restlessness

1.    The words came within a heart that was upset and restless.

2.    What shall I do?  One’s mind searches far and wide for answers.

B.   A statement of reason:  He had been removed from his stewardship.

C.   Two options that were reprehensible.

1.    I cannot dig.

a.    Perhaps he was older.

b.    Perhaps he had health conditions.

c.    His training was to use the mind not his physical body.

2.    To beg I am ashamed.

 

IV.         THE ACTION (Luke 16:4-7)

 

I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.  So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said, unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?  And he said, A hundred measures of oil.  And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.  Then said he to another, And how much owest thou?  And he said, A hundred measures of wheat.  And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

 

A.   The thought of resolution:  An idea came to his mind that would help him.

B.   The purpose of the response

1.    It seems that the rich man had set a date when his stewardship would be up.

2.    The steward’s plan would allow him to have access into the homes of other individuals, namely, his lord’s debtors.

C.   Two examples of refunds

1.    One man was given a refund of 50%.

2.    Another man was given a refund of 20%.

3.    NOTE:  All good businessmen are willing to take a reduction in the amount that they owe another.

 

V.           THE APPLAUSE (Luke 16:8a)

 

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely…

 

A.   The word “commended” means “to applaud, to laud, to praise, to commend.”

 

B.   Even though the actions of the steward caused the rich man to receive less money from his debtors, he fully understood the reason behind the steward’s actions. 

1.    It was very self-serving, but it would work.

2.    In the business world, favors given usually involve favors returned.

3.    This man would be able to find employment elsewhere once he was removed from his stewardship.

 

VI.         THE APPLICATION (Luke 16:8b-9)

 

…for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

 

A.   The broad lesson of revelation

1.    “…for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”

2.    Yes, we can learn from the world at times.

a.    The word “wiser” means “shrewder beyond.”

b.    The world has vision.

The world has understanding of the times.

The world has vision.

The world has goals.

The world is skillful in applying a means to an end.

 

B.   The specific lesson of revelation

1.    “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”

2.    It is wise to network yourself with a large group of individuals.

a.    We are not to be friends in the sense of close, intimate relationships.

b.    We develop a broad system of associates in many different areas.

1)    They can give us advice.

2)    They can give us monetary assistance at times.

3)    They can point us in the right direction.

4)    They can help us make important decisions in areas unfamiliar to us.

3.    Many of our worldly associates will become our long-term sources of assistance.  They may help us on several different occasions throughout our lives.

4.    Jon Davidson:  “I tell young people (especially mine) all the time that your network of friends and acquaintances will bring you more happiness and lead to greater success than any diploma or certificate you’ll ever receive” (Facebook Post, 5/15/26).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   There are literally lessons to be learned all around us.

 

B.   Sometimes the actions of those in the world can teach us some things.

1.    There are people who will die for false beliefs.  If they for false beliefs, surely we can die for the truth.

2.    There are individuals that are extremely committed to their man-made traditions.  They practice them faithfully from day to day and week to week.  If they can be so committed to man-made organizations, surely we can be committed to the divine institution of the church.

3.    There are people who give generously to secular causes that only have temporal benefits.  We ought to be able to give to spiritual causes that have eternal benefits.

 

C.   The Lord challenges us again to live in such a way as to learn.

1.    Learn from His Word.

2.    Learn from His creation.

3.    Learn from Christian examples.

4.    Learn from worldly examples.