Jesus’ Life: Chapter 10 – Jesus’ Last Journey To Jerusalem
One of the more unusual of Jesus’ parables, is referred to as the Dishonest Steward. The Steward is a good example of someone with great skills but who uses them for dishonest gain.
Parable: A rich man was told that one of his Stewards was being dishonest with his assets. So, the rich man dismissed the Steward but gave him time to turn in his accounts before leaving.
The Steward, soon to be unemployed, asked himself, “What should I do… I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m too ashamed to beg?” So, he shrewdly decided to make friends with his Master’s debtors; they would think well of him and welcome him into their homes when his job ended, he thought.
To accomplish his plan, the Steward called each of the debtors to him, one-by-one. To the first, he asked, “How much do you owe my master?” He replied, “A hundred measures of olive oil”. The Steward said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty”. To another, he said, “How much do you owe?” The man replied, “A hundred measures of wheat”. The Steward said to him, “Take your bill, and write eighty”.
When the Master saw what the Steward had done, he praised his shrewdness but condemned his dishonesty; it was done for his own personal and worldly gain at his Master’s expense.
Jesus concluded with a general message for all of us saying, “The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the people of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes”. (Luke 16:1-9)
Thought
Dishonesty doesn’t pay in the long-term. Jesus was inviting us to be shrewd with our worldly skills and possessions; building our riches in heaven.
Reflection
Lord Jesus, deepen my understanding of your Gospel. Holy Spirit enlighten me, come into my heart and direct me to your kingdom. Amen.
Prayer: Holy Are Your Ways
Help me to understand, Lord,
that what counts is not the road travelled,
but simply putting my hand in yours
and journeying side by side with you, Lord Jesus.
O you who are the joy of my journey
and the repose in our Father’s home!
Holy, holy is the Lord,
for eternal is your love.