What a concept — the prisoners don’t even know they are prisoners.
Part One:
In the parable of the "unjust steward" time is divided into two dispensations. The first dispensation is the old covenant, or Old Testament as we know it. The second dispensation (the one in which we currently live) is the new covenant. Our guidebook -- elaborating on how Jesus shed His precious blood for our sins so that we -- by faith can find peace in our souls is found in the New Testament. In Luke chapter 16, Jesus makes this distinction when he tells His disciples that the law and the prophets stood until John the Baptist. Then, it is recorded that for a moment, time stood still. Since that time the gospel of Jesus and His kingdom -- inclusive of His grace and mercy has been preached so that every man and woman can press into --and find satisfaction -- in this good news. (Luke 16:16)
In Luke 16, the above clarification differentiating the two dispensations — the first of law and the second of grace — is mentioned after Jesus shares the parable about the rich man and the unjust steward. However, in this particular context, situating this point above Jesus’ parable has some relevance for those of us who struggle with interpreting and understanding the deeper meaning of parables.
Do note that this specific revelation was not just happenstance. The message from the Lord came about as an interpretation that very few clergy dare to preach. Part of the reason for their hesitancy might be a lack of understanding. Others limit the parable’s underlying meaning and intent by stating that the parable’s focus is on money. After all, what kind of a rich man would engage in a conversation with a careless steward to this extent if money was not a factor?
Still, the parable itself is critical because it is about how far our heavenly Father would go to reach out to us -- the greatest love story ever told -- and subsequently, our personal decision to believe on Jesus in everything that we do — seeking His righteousness. I recommend that you read Luke 15 so that you understand the entire context of Jesus' sermon.
Luke 16:1-16 follows …
The Word states that He — Jesus — shared this parable also with His disciples. Already, from the beginning of Jesus' teaching here, the scribes and Pharisees had drawn near Him to listen. Similarly, there were great multitudes that followed, hearing this message as well.
That is, “there was a certain rich man, which had a steward and the same [steward] was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he — the rich man — 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.”
Thinking, the steward said within himself, “What shall I do? For my lord takes away from me the stewardship. I cannot dig [and] to beg I am ashamed. 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 you unto my lord?”
And he said, “An 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, “An hundred measures of wheat.” And he said unto him, “Take thy bill, and write fourscore.”
And the lord commended the unjust steward because he had done wisely … “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 when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
Jesus continued the parable, saying, “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?”
Why did Jesus say this? Because no servant can serve two masters — for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. (Luke 16:1-16) The same principle applies to the Kingdom. One cannot serve both God and mammon.
But if this latter point is the only true message in the parable, as some suggest, then we might as well conclude — like the scribes and Pharisees that derided Jesus — that the parable is about money.
“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. And He said unto them, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men but God knows your hearts. For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
Fortunately, there is more to come on this parable ... stay tuned!
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