The Lord Jesus told of a man who was in charge of another man’s property; he was called a steward. His master found he was not honest and said he could no longer be his steward and must hand in his accounts.
When the dishonest steward heard that, he planned another way to provide for himself, for he said he could not work, and was ashamed to beg. He hurriedly sent for the men who owed his master; one owed for oil, another for grain, and told them to write a much smaller amount for their debts.
That, too, was dishonest to his master, who would lose that part of his debts, and the men were wrong to agree to do so. But that was his plan to induce the men to favor him, and he thought they would give him a home in return.
What the Steward Did Wisely
The Lord Jesus did not commend the steward for his dishonest acts, but He said he was wiser to think and plan ahead than the “children of light” (those who believed God). The people of God know they cannot be in this world long, yet often they do not think ahead about heaven, and use the things of this world only for their own comfort or pleasure.
Instead of that, the Lord said to make friends with the “mammon” (the money, or gain, on earth), and they would be received into the everlasting home. That meant that if they used the money and things here for good, there would be rewards waiting for them in heaven.
One Master
The Lord also said, “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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
The dishonest steward was trying to serve two persons, his master and himself, and he served himself much better. Some of the men who heard the words of the Lord Jesus had been using the things of God all for themselves, and wanting more. We read here that they “derided” Jesus, or spoke against Him, which is very sad.
People who know God now are to be stewards, for the things on earth all belong to God, and should be used in honor to Him. We are dishonest stewards if we use our homes, money, or other things only to suit ourselves.
Even boys and girls are “stewards.” They have strength, time, and perhaps sometimes money, to use. If all is used for “good times” and not to please the Lord or to tell others of Him, they are like the steward who served himself but not his master.
Jesus spoke very plainly that all God’s words given before should prove true. He said, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass [away], than [for] one tittle of the law to fail.”
Further Meditation
1. What does it mean to make friends with “mammon” or money?
2. We have the privilege of using all of our time for the Lord. Does that mean that we only spend our time reading our Bibles, handing out gospel tracts, and doing other obviously Christian activities? Can we eat to God’s glory? How was the Lord Jesus a good steward of His time?
3. If you’re thinking about finding out how the Lord wants you to use what He’s given you for Him, then reading the pamphlet How to Know the Will of God for Your Life: Part 2, Four Ways God Guides by B. Anstey might be a great help.