Provide For The Future With Practical Wisdom

JESUS has just finished telling the story of the prodigal son to a crowd that includes his disciples, dishonest tax collectors and other recognized sinners, and scribes and Pharisees. Now, addressing his disciples, he relates an illustration regarding a rich man who has received an unfavorable report about his house manager, or steward.

According to Jesus, the rich man calls his steward and tells him that he is going to dismiss him. "What am I to do, seeing that my master will take the stewardship away from me." The Steward wonders. "I am not strong enough to dig, I am ashamed to beg. Ah! I know what I shall do, so that, when I am put out of the stewardship, people will receive me into their homes."

What is the steward's plan? he calls those who are in debt to his master. "How much are you owing? He asks. The first one answers, '580 gallons of olive oil.' 'Take your written agreement back and sit down and quickly write '290,' he tells him. He asks another one: 'Now you, how much are you owing?' He says '630 bushels of wheat.' 'Take your written agreement back and write 504.' The steward is within his rights in reducing the bills owed to his master, since he is in charge of his master's financial affairs. By reducing the amounts, he is making friends with those who can return him favors when he does lose his job.

When the master hears what has happened, he is impressed. In fact, he "commended the steward, though unrighteous, because he acted with practical wisdom." Indeed, Jesus adds: "The sons of this system of things are wiser in a practical way toward their own generation than the sons of the light are."

Now, drawing the lesson for his disciples, Jesus encourages: "Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places."

Next time: Conclusion of Provide For The Future With Practical Wisdom

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991