The Parable of the Unrighteous (or Careful) Steward

Lesson 13

Luke 16:1–13

Our Lord at times used illustrations which we would not dare to use for fear of being misunderstood. This is evident in this parable. He praises a man who is called an “unrighteous” or crooked steward. Of course, He does not praise the unrighteousness of this individual, but rather his wisdom or shrewdness. This point of comparison must be kept in mind from the outset in the study of this parable. It is not surprising that many have given some very strange interpretations of it. Some find this parable very difficult. Some have given it an allegorical treatment, explaining the steward as the apostle Paul, or Judas Iscariot, or Pilate, or even the devil! When au allegorical interpretation is given, the possibilities are endless! However, if we listen carefully to the things which our Lord is saying in this parable, we will discover not only that it has meaning for every age, but that it drives home a truth which has not been so clearly taught anywhere else.

A Story of Business Management

This parable deals with the use of material goods and wealth. Jesus deals with money matters more often than we usually think. Jesus is far from the mind that Christianity and money are opposites. Our Christianity should teach us how to manage the wealth our God, in His goodness, has entrusted to us. This is a parable which, Luke says, He spoke to His disciples. Not only the Pharisees must know this truth; the disciples must also be instructed and they must practice that which Jesus is teaching them by means of this parable.

About to be Fired

The parable introduces a rich man who has a steward to take care of all his business interests. The steward has a good position. He is by no means a slave. He is a man who has been given important responsibilities; he must ensure that his master receives his due from the investments he has made. An honest and a good steward will rid the master of cares. However, this steward is accused of being dishonest—he has wasted his master’s goods. Nothing is said about the identity of those who have brought accusation because that is not the point of this parable. The important item is that he is accused and that his master believes the accusation, because he is told immediately that he can no longer be steward. Although he was charged with wasting of the master’s goods, it is clear from the remainder of the parable that the steward is not rich. He must have lived beyond his means and beyond the wages given him by his master. When he hears that he has been found out, he becomes desperate. What is he going to do when this position is no longer his? He does not have enough to live on and will have to seek other employment. But, if his dishonesty is known, he will not be able to receive a similar position with any other master. Then what? He may have to till the soil. This is hard work, which his former sedentary work has not equipped him physically to do. If he cannot do hard manual labor there is only one other way to get through life—to beg! This he cannot do because that would destroy his self-esteem! Must a former steward become a beggar?

His master shows his disappointment in him when he asks, “What is this that I hear of thee?” He had been his trusted. servant and that trust is put to shame. The servant must give an account of his stewardship. Bring the books! Regardless of what those books reveal, he will not be his steward any longer. This steward has betrayed his trust. The master can never be confident of this man’s actions again.

Planning for the Future

Now we come to the heart of the parable. Although he will have to give an account of his stewardship and although the judgment is already pronounced, he is still given some time! He will not be relieved of his office today. This time which he still has must then be used in the best way possible. He decides to use his master’s goods for his own welfare once more, but now with a view to the future! The things he does now in the short time left to him in this position will have to lay the groundwork for his future life. He still has the books. He still has the contracts. His master has given him such control that the owner is not even aware of the details of the daily business. His position is like that of Joseph in Egypt. As he considers the future it looks bleak. He must use his ingenuity before he will be no longer able to do anything about it. The time to act is now!

He calls his master’s debtors to him one by one. Let them not be able to talk to each other about their dealings with this steward. The first one called in owes a hundred measures of oil. Never mind this figure—write fifty! He cuts the debt in half! The second owes a hundred measures of wheat—again, forget what the contract called for and write down eighty! This is only a twenty percent cut, but, the value must not be lost from sight! He deals in this way with each of his master’s debtors. He has done this in order that they will receive him into their houses when he is no longer steward. He will not have an enemy among the former debtors of his master. They will all appreciate what he has done for them. Later he will collect his reward!

In this way he has hurt the interests of his master even more than during all the time that he had the office of steward. He now makes them his friends by means of his master’s goods. How crooked! Yet, his lord commends him for his shrewdness. Although the steward’s actions have been at his expense, he commends him! This fellow is no fool. He saw what the future held in store for him. He didn’t like what he saw and did something about it while he was still in a position to do it. Such foresight is rare. Although he had no conscience and increased his blame before his master, he provided for his own future!

A Lesson from a Crook

We must not conclude that this master has the wrong view of the matter, because Christ immediately adds His commentary and speaks the same language as the master. This steward had indeed proved himself to be a “son of this world.” He had lived for the things of this world while he was a steward and he also lives for the things of this world only when he looks to the future. Yet, says Jesus, the sons of the light can learn something from the sons of this world because the sons of this world are often wiser than the children of light! This is not of universal application but the worldly man is often wiser in the pursuit of the things he seeks than the children of the light are in the things they ought to seek! This steward’s purpose is attained. We do not approve of the methods he used; but he arrived at his goal. This the children of the light must learn. Their methods must be beyond reproach, but they must attain to their goal!

Forward-Looking Stewardship

It should be clear to the children of the light that this world’s goods and money are not ends in themselves. Believers must be faithful in caring for that which their Lord has entrusted to them. They may not be stingy with the money they have received; neither may they be wasteful. It is never theirs. They are only stewards. All the silver and the gold which this world contains and the cattle on a thousand hills are God’s. We are not able to serve our God directly with our money. This is material and He is Spirit. The wealth which has been given us must be used according to the commands He has given us. It is to be used for His kingdom on earth. It is also to be used to relieve the distress of those who are poor. In other words, the money entrusted to us must be used for our own spiritual welfare too! This can be done, says Jesus. You can’t take it with you? Everything will be left behind when we are called to give account of our stewardship. But our Lord teaches that we can send the fruits of our work ahead!

The time which is still given the children of light ought to be used to make friends by means of the “mammon of unrighteousness.” Dorcas did that. She used her gifts and wealth for the benefit of others and when it failed, when she died, they all stood around her coffin showing Peter the things she had made for them while she was still alive! Of course we are not able to earn salvation. Jesus never teaches that.

The poor would not be able to repay while they were here, but in the eternal tabernacles they are rich. They are spiritually right. Those who have been true stewards have made money fruitful for eternity. The believers also use the wealth of Another for this purpose! The unrighteous steward did these things without the permission of his master, we are commanded to do it by our Lord!

Indeed we have grave responsibilities in regard to the wealth our Lord has entrusted to us. We will have to give an account not only of the ten percent which He has demanded of us, but for the whole one hundred percent He has given us.

We have little time! Why do men heap up wealth as though it is an end in itself? The Lord shows us a better way in this parable. Many are the texts which speak of the necessity of the care of the poor by those who have received in abundance. Let the poor not testify against us when we are called to give account of our stewardship! Our use of money is here given a spiritual and eternal dimension!

Questions for Discussion

1. Does our use of money say anything about our spiritual life? If so, what?

2. Are we anything more than stewards of what God has given us? Why is there always danger that we consider ourselves owners?

3. The secular man makes provision for this life. Christ says, this shows his wisdom. Does Jesus mean that we are to deal with every part of life to make provision for eternity? Is this what He means by wisdom?

4. Is it proper to make provision for old age? For children?

5. If we show ourselves faithful over the “little” things, such as money, will this have eternal consequences?

6. Someone has discovered that sixteen percent of all the recorded words of Jesus dealt with money-matters. Do you think a minister would fare well in a church if he followed his Lord’s example in this?

   

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Lesson 14

Luke 16:19–31

The problem of inequality is addressed time and again in the Scriptures. The clearest representation of it is given in Psalm 73. But, the book of Job and the prophet Jeremiah also deal with this subject. God is on the throne, ruling over all things. Why is it that the wicked often flourish while the people of God suffer? We must always approach this difficult subject with the assurance that there is no unrighteousness with God. This subject is in the foreground in this parable.

In the beginning of this series of studies, we mentioned the difference in the interpretation of these parables made by whether we consider them to be history or illustrations. Some have believed that, if any parable were history, this was the one. The church fathers Tertullian and Ambrose both believed this parable to be an actual historic account. Tertullian appealed to it, at least in part, to bolster his view of the material nature of the soul. Besides, this is also the only parable in which the name of one of the characters is mentioned.

Rich and Poor

In the previous verses Jesus has been addressing the Pharisees. These leaders were often rather wealthy. Their use of this wealth left much to be desired. They ought to be taught by the previous parable and also the one He is about to speak to them. Although they thought that they understood the law and the prophets, they never understood the Old Testament! Their misinterpretation of the teaching of the Old Testament on marriage and divorce is clear evidence that they have not understood the will of God (v. 18).

In the parable (for it is that, and not history) Jesus clearly pictures the greatest contrasts in this life. There can be no doubt about the state of each one of the characters He introduces. He draws the lines sharply. The rich man who is pictured is very rich. Dressed like a king in purple and fine linen, He lives in great splendor every day. His days are feasts and his meals are banquets. There seems to be no end to what he can afford to spend on himself. That is the only expenditure we read about. In itself there is nothing wrong with living according to the means one bas. The very rich do not have to live like day-laborers. They are able to afford more and may also spend more. Of course, wealth in itself is no curse, as many would like to have us believe today.

This is all that is said about this man’s mode of life. It is not stated whether he was a religious man. Nothing is said about his care for those who were not as well-favored as he was. In fact, this is the point of the parable. Notice that nothing is mentioned about gross sin. He might be respected in his community because of his wealth and because the sins of omission were overlooked.

Another man is pictured. This one is not only poorer than the rich man; he is living in abject poverty! He was laid at the gate of the rich man every day. Evidently he was not even able to walk! Besides, there were festering sores about his body. The dogs licked these sores! This is not an evidence of pity, but of extreme misery. The dogs were the scavengers of Palestine! There was no healing in the tongues of these dogs! They would spread the loathesome disease even more. Here he lies. He is hoping to be fed by the crumbs from the table of the rich man. Apparently these are not even given him.

Our Lord’s story is almost a drama. The beggars and the dogs meet at the gate of this extremely rich man! He has no inclination to bother himself about those at his gate. His fine clothing virtually make it impossible for him to stoop to the needs of a beggar who is filthy! There should have been no beggars in Israel. If the laws of God would be properly observed, there would be sufficient for all!

We are told of no word of protest coming from the lips of Lazarus concerning his desperate state. We also notice that not a word is said about his piety! Highlighted in the story of these two is their respective wealth and poverty. Let us not fall into the error of seeing a great deal in the meaning of the name, Lazarus. Jesus simply gave him a name.

Their Deaths and Changed Roles

This is the picture which has been drawn for us by the master Teacher concerning their lives here on earth. Now, we read, the beggar died. Nothing is said about a funeral or burial. Perhaps we may imagine no funeral and his body deposited in some potter’s field. Although the end of the body may have been reminiscent of all the poverty he had suffered in his life, he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. What a contrast between the end of his physical existence and the care which his soul received! What is meant by “Abraham’s bosom?” The Old Testament speaks of various kings, and others, who were “gathered to his people.” Jesus usually speaks of the banquet where they will sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matt. 8:11). This expression used here means no more nor less. Although no one might follow his body to the grave, angels bring his soul above.

The rich man also died. No amount of riches will be able to stave off death (Ecclesiastes 8:8). But of him it is mentioned that he was buried. This might be imagined as a grand affair with many following the body to the cemetery.

A Pharisee might even be found to speak a “eulogy.” But, this wouldn’t help! He lifts up his eyes in hades, in hell! The Lord uses language which His people must be careful about using as “roof texts.” The man is buried—his eyes too! He is now in the place of torment while he sees Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. Those seventy or eighty years here on earth now seem but a moment in comparison with the unending pain he now endures!

A Great Gulf

He calls to Abraham for help. He is still “Father Abraham”! Abraham was his father according to the flesh and Abraham returns the favor by calling him “son.” He wants Abraham to send Lazarus (Lazarus is still the slave who should serve the rich?) with a drop of water on his finger to lay it on his burning tongue! Abraham says: “No!” Strange is the reasoning now used by the father of believers. He says, “You had your turn; now it is Lazarus’ turn to have riches!” He acted as though he owned his riches. He did not minister to the needs of the one who sat in his gate. Lazarus is now highly blest—forever! Besides, there is a great gulf, a huge ravine between us. One cannot go from the one place to the other. The die is cast! There is no second chance! Our Lord is speaking here in such a way that the parable will become clear. We may not press every word. No one desires to go from the place of bliss to the place of torment.

If the request for a drop of cold water cannot be satisfied, though it seemed to be a very small request, then he has something else to ask. Please send this Lazarus to my father’s house because I still have five brothers on earth and I don’t want them to come into this place of torment. What? Is there now compassion shown by those who are in hell? Hardly! He had no thought for a Lazarus while he was here in this life. Will he have compassion for any one else on earth when he himself is in the place of torment? But, our Lord will drive home His teaching in a way that no one will ever forget! Abraham’s reply may sound harsh. You get no drop of water to cool your tongue and Lazarus is not going back to speak to your brothers! They have enough warning. They have Moses and the prophets—let them hear them!

The Bible Our Only Warning

The rich man’s reply to this answer of Abraham is understandable. His brothers don’t pay much attention to Moses and the prophets. One gets so accustomed to these teachings that the danger exists that one no longer hears their words. But, if someone would rise from the dead they would listen to him! One might be inclined to agree with this rich man. If someone who had already died and would not come back to preach in your church next Sunday morning(!), or it could even be in the evening service, everybody would be there! They would hang on his every word. Wouldn’t such a preacher be far more effective than Moses and the prophets?

Abraham calmly asserts that this would not be the case. If they will not hear Moses and the prophets, they will not even hear or be persuaded by one who is risen from the dead! Is this true? Not only is it a teaching of the Scriptures, there is even the example! Jesus rose from the dead! Did they listen to Him? “Tell everyone who asks you that His disciples came by night, while we were asleep, and stole His body!” Although many people still have the idea that faith would be based on miracles, this is not the case. Faith is given by the Spirit through the preaching of the word. That is the way in which people will be brought to faith! A person miraculously healed does not produce faith in others. Cancer does not convert! Heart attacks do not convert! It may seem to some that these things would be far more effective for spiritual development than the regular means of grace which have been given us, but this is not true.

The parable really explains itself. However, what is the teaching which our Lord is hereby seeking to impress on His church for the coming ages? The Pharisees are clearly depicted by this rich man. They thought they were righteous and had lost sight of the most fundamental teachings of the law. Christ warned them almost every day He was here on earth. Lazarus is a good example of Jesus’ followers . They may be mistreated in the here and now, but; the things they will receive are not to be compared to their present difficulties (Romans 8:18).

Jesus makes it abundantly clear in this parable that the present is a test for the future. If we are faithful over the little things here, He will set us over much. It also becomes very clear that the future state is unchangeable! There is no second chance. A great gulf fixed.

As in all His teachings, Jesus emphasizes the importance of listening to and bowing before the word our God has spoken, “Moses and the prophets.” Now His own and the Apostles’ words have been added. Those who do not believe they have enough on the Bible, will be sorely disappointed. They will get nothing else. To the word and to the testimony (Isaiah 8:20).

Questions for Discussion

1. What is the answer to the question regarding the suffering of the people of God and the prosperity of the wicked?

2. This parable deals with wealth as did also the previous one. In which way do the two differ in their teaching?

3. Is wealth a blessing? Is it a blessing for everyone who has wealth? Is every wealthy christian able to meet the responsibilities of wealth?

4. What are some of the difficult items in this parable? Is there any relation between those in hell and those in heaven? Do all things become clear to us beyond the grave? Do you believe: Sometime we’ll understand?

5. Is it not somewhat simplistic to put all the emphasis on Moses and the prophets? Do you think this needs more emphasis today?