Christians should take seriously the idea that they will be called to account, and that idea can be a joy if we are properly about our Master’s business. First, he knew he would be called to account for his life and he took that seriously. Yet, the dishonest steward was a good example on several points. Other examples of this principle are when Paul used things like war and slavery as illustrations of the Christian life. Yet God sometimes uses evil things that are familiar to us to illustrate a particular point, without praising the thing itself. Some consider this to be one of Jesus’ most difficult parables, because it seems that Jesus used an obviously dishonest man as an example for His disciples.

Jesus added the thought that the businessmen of his day ( sons of this world) were more wise, bold, and forward-thinking in the management of what they had ( more shrewd) than the people of God were with managing what they had ( the sons of light). So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly: While not approving his conduct, the master did in fact approve the steward’s shrewdness. Therefore the steward, knowing he would be called to account, used his present position to prepare him for the next stage of his life.Į. So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him: So, the steward made friends with his master’s debtors by settling their accounts for less than they actually owed. He also knew that other options were unattractive to him ( I cannot dig I am ashamed to beg).ĭ. What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me: When the steward knew that he would be called to account, he knew his poor management would be exposed. If Jesus does not come first, we all will die and pass from this life to the next.Ĭ. A mother’s stewardship over her children changes and diminishes greatly. The wealth of this world may not last even in this life. The preacher’s voice, mental faculties, and strength will not last forever. For each of us, our stewardship will one day come to an end. Spurgeon once noted that each of us will have to give account of our stewardship regarding our time, our talents, our substance, and our influence. All will have to give account in some way, and we will give account to God.

“ Give an account of your stewardship” are words that everyone will hear, both sinner and saint. “The steward had followed a career of embezzlement.” (Barclay) In the story Jesus told, the steward’s boss (the rich man) heard that his steward had cheated him ( wasting his goods), and he called him to account. There was a certain rich man who had a steward: A steward was a manager, especially a manager of money or property. However, as Jesus taught His disciples, a group of Pharisees also listened (Luke 16:14).ī. Here Jesus taught His disciples, not the multitude mentioned in Luke 15:1-2. He also said to His disciples: This seems to be a different occasion than the previous chapter. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.”Ī. 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. 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. 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.

Rich man and lazarus song