March 26th, 2025
Wednesday, March 26th
The Unjust Manager
Nicole Goddard
I don’t know about you, but this parable can seem really confusing. “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.” Luke 16:8 “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves.” Luke 16:9 What is going on here?
I think Jesus was using some shock factor to make a couple of key points here in this parable:
The Unjust Steward used the remaining minutes of his position to refinance the debtors’ balances in their favor in order to gain future favors. Translation: The steward believed his Master’s resources were truly his and his to squander. He could do what he wanted, when he wanted for his own gain.
The Master did not praise his deceitfulness, but rather praised his shrewdness. Translation: Just imagine what this guy could have done for the good of all with his cleverness and wit if he had a different heart posture! Shrewdness in and of itself is not evil, but worldly shrewdness will only provide worldly gains.
This parable can be easily applied to our finances, but what about our time? Our energy? The things we invest in?
Are we squandering all that our heavenly Father gives us, thinking that as long as we are benefiting all is well? Are we using our wit and cleverness to share the gospel to our neighbors, coworkers and the strangers we encounter daily?
Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit within me and numerous theological commentaries to decipher a parable like this. I fear that I would have been scratching my head over what you said all those years ago, had I been in your presence. Help me to be the best steward of the blessings you give me and frugal with how I use my finances, time and the gifts you give me.
The Unjust Manager
Nicole Goddard
I don’t know about you, but this parable can seem really confusing. “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.” Luke 16:8 “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves.” Luke 16:9 What is going on here?
I think Jesus was using some shock factor to make a couple of key points here in this parable:
The Unjust Steward used the remaining minutes of his position to refinance the debtors’ balances in their favor in order to gain future favors. Translation: The steward believed his Master’s resources were truly his and his to squander. He could do what he wanted, when he wanted for his own gain.
The Master did not praise his deceitfulness, but rather praised his shrewdness. Translation: Just imagine what this guy could have done for the good of all with his cleverness and wit if he had a different heart posture! Shrewdness in and of itself is not evil, but worldly shrewdness will only provide worldly gains.
This parable can be easily applied to our finances, but what about our time? Our energy? The things we invest in?
Are we squandering all that our heavenly Father gives us, thinking that as long as we are benefiting all is well? Are we using our wit and cleverness to share the gospel to our neighbors, coworkers and the strangers we encounter daily?
Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit within me and numerous theological commentaries to decipher a parable like this. I fear that I would have been scratching my head over what you said all those years ago, had I been in your presence. Help me to be the best steward of the blessings you give me and frugal with how I use my finances, time and the gifts you give me.
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