The Christadelphian | October 2017
The October 2017 issue of the Christadelphian looks at a few passages in the Gospels which might be as problematic as the Parable of the Unjust Steward in Luke 16.
It tells the story of a steward who, when accused of financial irregularities, swindles his employer still further in an attempt to ingratiate himself with his employer’s clients. He is then, contrary to what we might have expected, commended by his employer. Finally, the disciples of Jesus are encouraged to learn something from the steward’s example.
Paul Wasson looks at some problems of interpretation which present themselves.
What exactly was the steward doing when he extricated himself from his predicament? Why did “the master”, presumably the lord of the estate rather than the Lord Jesus, commend his servant after he had acted so dishonestly? Who are the “friends” whom his disciples make by the mammon of unrighteousness and who will “receive [them] into an everlasting home”? And what is the moral of the parable; what lesson does it teach? Verses 10-13 offer a commentary on the faithful stewardship of wealth but the central character in the story has not handled his master’s wealth faithfully.
…
Despite his moral failings, the steward recognized that the real value of money consists in its power to create goodwill and friendliness. In other words, it was a means to a higher end according to his own debased standards. And then the comment of Jesus:
“The sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” (verse 8)
By this, Jesus means that if his followers could be as single-minded in fulfilling the responsibilities of discipleship as the rogues of this world are in promoting their own interests and getting themselves out of a fix, then the Christian faith would be a much more vibrant force in the world.
In the magazine this month:
- Editorial Comparative righteousness
- Letters to the Editor
- Sunday Morning “Preparing for the kingdom and keeping His commandments” | Trevor A. Pritchard
- All scripture is given by inspiration of God Part 2 | Peter Forbes
- The Parable of the Unjust Steward | Paul Wasson
- Unity in Ephesus (2) Burning books | Ben Brinkerhoff
- Britain in Palestine Beersheba – 100 years ago | Stephen Hill
- Martin Luther and the Reformation | Gerald Hayes
- Manitoulin Bible Camps A brief history | The Christadelphian Bible Camp Committee
- Signs of the times Stormy wind / Brexit again | Roger Long
- Israel and their Land Tensions with Iran | Roger Long
- Epilogue “To make great rejoicing” | David Caudery
- The brotherhood near and far
Come to read how Wasson comes to the conclusion
The steward was not faithful in another man’s wealth. He used it to further his own interests, according to his own debased moral standards. And yet he recognized that wealth is a means to a higher end. And disciples should recognize the same truth but on a higher level. Wealth is not morally neutral. Its very possession is a measure of something higher. What makes possessions of all kinds right or wrong is their influence on character and the way we use them in our Master’s service. That is a measure of our trustworthiness for eternal stewardship.
[…] Christadelphian magazine on the Unjust Stewart […]
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