So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. (Luke 16:8)
The unjust steward is a parable that’s much less commonly discussed as it can seem as though Jesus is commending dishonesty.
But there’s actually a beautiful meaning behind it that can help us better understand the forgiveness and blessings of God.
Let’s first look at the parable in detail…
He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’
“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have 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 master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
(Luke 16:1-8)
On the surface, it seems as though Jesus is condoning, and even commending the unjust steward’s dishonest actions, doesn’t it?
But if we truly understand Jesus’ personality, we’d know that it can’t be true.
So what does this parable mean?
Well, a big part of the parable revolves around the steward falsifying the record of debts. The steward represents the part of our conscience that keeps a record of our sins.
Consciously or unconsciously, whenever we sin, it weighs on our conscience. And it’s because of this condemnation that we became separated from God and fell from blessings in to curses.
But through Jesus’ work, all our debts have been more than repaid!
There’s no need to keep a record of our debts anymore. (Hence the dismissal of the steward.)
Yet for some of us, we’re still keeping score, whether it’s for ourselves or for others.
Maybe we remember a sin we’ve committed some time ago and start feeling condemed again.
Or perhaps we see someone else doing something bad and we think that He’s not deserving of God’s grace and blessings.
Well, God is telling us to be like the unjust steward. To learn to forgive and let go of debts, whether it’s 10%, 20%, 50%, or eventually 100%, God is pleased when we let go of the debts we or others owe (forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors).
He’s already forgiven you, so why are you still holding on to your debts?
It’s time to remove the debts from your records and let the steward go.
Only through a clear conscience via Jesus’ perfect work, can you fully experience the promises of God.
Be Greatly Blessed!
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Action Steps:
Let go of past records of your sins and failures.
Let go of any bad experiences.
Guilt, sickness, lack, fear, confusion, etc.
These are all things of the past.
Jesus has more than paid for all your debts.
Don’t let that go to waste by hanging on to past records.
Let’s pray…
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to be like the unjust steward.
That I can learn to let go of the record of my debts.
For you are no longer keeping records of my sin.
Through Jesus perfect sacrifice, I’ve been once and forever made clean.
I throw out all my guilt and condemnation today, that I may fully receive your promises and blessings.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
AMEN!
P.S.
Luke 16:9-13 goes on to discuss how to rightly make use of earthly riches – which is also very meaningful and important. But we’ll save that discussion for another time.