‘There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; … And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely.’
Luk_16:1-8
This parable draws a lesson from the conduct of a worldly man. Not that we are advised to act as he did—but that as he showed wisdom and decision in his worldly concerns, so should we in spiritual matters.
Consider the story. An accusation was made against a certain steward of having embezzled his master’s property. He was not at once dismissed (Luk_16:4), for that would have been unjust before the accusation was proved, but was ordered to bring in his account, so as to satisfy his master. Just so do we stand in God’s sight. The accusation is made (Rom_5:12; Rom_5:16; Rom_5:18). We are told to be ready for the day of reckoning (Amo_4:12; 2Co_5:10).
What did the steward do? Three points may be noticed:—
I. He profited by the past.—When the word came to him he saw at once that he was condemned. He does not justify himself (Luk_18:11). He does not go in rashly with the account as it is (Mat_27:5). No. He was convinced, in reflecting on his situation, that he must alter his ways (1Pe_4:1-3). He says, ‘What shall I do?’ Such is the cry of conviction (Act_2:37; Act_16:30).
II. He overcame the present.—No sooner was he convinced of his difficulty than he set to work to conquer it. ‘I am resolved what to do’ (Jos_1:7; 1Ki_18:21; Jam_1:8). There is no delay (Pro_6:5), no hesitation (Heb_2:3). He thinks, he decides, he acts (Luk_15:17-20). Look at the case of the first tenant. The steward had clearly been in the habit of receiving from him a hundred measures, of which he appropriated fifty, and sent in fifty to his lord. Now he says to the tenant, You need only pay fifty. This would put the man under obligation to himself, and make the account right for his master. So with the others, and the difficulty was overcome.
III. He provided for the future.—Whichever way matters went, he was right for the future—right for his lord; standing well with the tenants. What was the result? His lord (Luk_16:8) commended him. See the case of St. Paul as illustrating our duty. ‘What wilt Thou have me to do?’ ‘This one thing I do.’ ‘I know Whom I have believed.’ ‘Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.’
Wisdom and diligence in spiritual things is the lesson to be drawn from this. We must decide and act with reference to our account for God.
