The parable that is before us, concerning the Unjust Steward, is one that is meant to call us to consider the absolute magnitude of God’s grace towards the children of Adam. As our forefather and his wife had everything they could ever desire. And to remain in the land of paradise, they were to remain faithful to God’s word, that they would be good stewards of creation and that they would not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Yet, to this requirement, they were unfaithful. They failed in their stewardship, failed to confess their sins, and so blamed God for their downfall. Adam and Eve were children of light, children made after the likeness of their Father, the Lord God. And still, we see in this parable that even among the children of darkness, there is a greater urgency to receive God’s approval than those who have been called by Him to faith.
The manager has been caught in his failure, as he has wasted his master’s goods and brought shame upon his employer. To save his reputation and bring justice to the manager who has wronged him, the manager is fired and left without a job, opportunities for employment, or even a place to lay his head. What the master does is completely justified, as it is the just consequence of the man’s sins. For as we see in the fourth Commandment, those who are set over us, even the government and managers of our employment, exercise the wrath of God here on earth. And this is why he is punished.
Yet, the manager is not satisfied with such a punishment. So instead of bringing greater insult upon the master. As he certainly could have spread even more rumors and lies, saying that he was fired unjustly. Or tried to save his own reputation by saying, ‘We simply had a parting of ways.’ And tried to use his rumors and gossip to try to get a different job with a different master. The fired manager would much rather honor his former master in hopes of earning his approval once again.
And so this is precisely what the manager goes on to do. He knows the master’s book of business, and he knows who owes the master money. Yet the manager does not go on and collect it for himself, or even gather the debt without permission; instead, he forgives debts he does not have the right to forgive. And by this action, he does not bring shame to the master, but he promotes his master with even greater honor among those with whom he has business. Where Adam points fingers towards God, the unjust steward brings praises to the one who has cast him out with shame.
And as a result, at the end of our text, Christ says that this Steward, a child of darkness and unbelief, is worthy of imitation among the children of light, the believers in Christ, the members of the holy Christian Church. So if such wisdom is found among those without faith, how can we imitate them? Although the children of darkness have no understanding of divine imputed grace, they do aspire after worldly approval with steadfast eagerness. Meaning that they will stop at nothing to seek the approval of others. Some Christians and non-Christians alike may work without stopping, putting in 60 to 80 hours a week to strive for a promotion. Young students will not settle for a C or a B if it means they could work harder for the A. Fortune 500 companies do not settle for good enough if it means their competitor could outperform them.
Jesus tells this parable to show us that even those who lack understanding of God’s grace still make better use of it. For everything we possess in the world, our body and our soul, come from the Lord. Out of God’s grace, we receive the things of the world: our goods and riches, our food and our drink. Also, the things of the body, such as strength, health, and limbs. Also, the things that belong to the soul: reason, good intellect, patience, humility, faith, the word of God, and the sacraments. † And it is only through that Word of God and revealed in the Sacraments that all these things are granted to us without merit, and still there are those who receive it ignorantly; and still make use of God’s grace better than we can.
And so Jesus encourages us, in this regard, to be even better at utilizing our gifts with even more appreciation and thanksgiving, even when those who are unaware of God’s grace. In the end, Jesus does not leave this question unanswered. For the sake of Jesus Christ, we have faith to see them. Because our Lord Christ has looked on our necessity with compassion. Because of Christ, we who are poor, lost, and condemned. Christ Jesus comes into the world in poverty and in need. The Lord Christ takes on what we have that is our sins, and Christ gives what He has in the kingdom of heaven, that is salvation and eternal life. To bestow on us these great heavenly blessings, the Lord has also given us faith to receive.
By this divine gift of trust in Christ, our Savior, and knowledge of His grace, Christ commands us to make friends for ourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they will receive you into an everlasting home. Jesus says this because He knows the reward that comes with faith: eternal life with Christ Jesus and all the saints of God; therefore, as we await their company in the kingdom of heaven, we should show them God’s grace now as we live upon the Earth with our fellow Christians. Therefore, we cannot ignore other Christians and their needs of body and spirit, especially those nearest to us, as Christ will speak to our faith; it is our neighbors who will recall our deeds to God the Father on the last day. So, it would be good for us to use His grace and goodness towards others, calling them our friends on the last day, who will welcome us into their heavenly dwelling to remember our good deeds before the Lord and the salvation achieved by our Lord, Christ. Do not spare a moment; let us ambulate the man to bring glory to the God of all graces.
For our Lord’s sake, we have all that we need in this life and then the life to come, including forgiveness, faith, and salvation by means of His death and resurrection. And in this world, we possess beyond measure; but do not waste what Christ has given; let us be more generous than those who are unaware of God’s goodness. It is by Christ we are saved, and it is our friends who will present us to God for our eternal rewards.
† The Christian Year of Grace, Johann Spangenberg, p. 276, q.13-16, 33-35
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