Question
I am having trouble understanding the parable given in Luke 16:1-13. I have 4
questions that I would like you to answer:
1) What exactly is the steward doing in verses 5-7. What does it
mean when it says "Take thy bill, ... and write fifty"?
2) Why would the master "commend" the steward for this act (vs.
8)?
3) Explain the meaning of verse 9.
4) What is Jesus trying to teach?
Answers
He was trying to make some quick friends in the world, for he knew he was
about to be unemployed. He simply gave (unauthorized) discounts to his
master's debtors. He apparently still had the legal authority to do so,
and these debtors welcomed such big discounts. For example, the debtor who
owed 100 measures of oil (NKJV) to his master, suddenly has his debt reduced to
only 50! This act indebted the debtor to the steward.
2) Why would the master "commend" the steward for this act (vs. 8)?
Only because he recognized the steward's cunning. He seemed to admire the
evil steward's criminal genius, which might show that he too was a wicked man,
for the wicked often admire another wicked person's shrewdness (vs. 8).
3) Explain the meaning of verse 9.
The unjust steward used his master's money to buy earthly friends, and we, the
believers, are to use our Master's money in a way that will accrue friends for
eternity. This is done by giving our money for the spreading of the gospel
and the truth of the Scriptures. Give it to churches, preachers, and
missionaries who are clearly preaching the very truth of the Word, without
compromise. That money will help spread the "Good News" and
thereby bring souls into the kingdom, and someday, in heaven, there will be
those converts who will personally thank you for your use of your Master's money
for their salvation--God will make it all known to us and them someday.
4) What is Jesus trying to teach?
Christ is not commending the unjust servant's dishonesty, but simply used him as
an illustration, that even the unjust people of the world are shrewd enough to
provide for themselves against a coming evil, therefore, Christians, ought to be
even more shrewd, and use their resources to provide for themselves treasures in
heaven, which will be an eternal joy, to have been part of someone's eternal
salvation. The unjust servant, got some free support for a while from
earthly friends, but we can get eternal blessings by our shrewdness.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 314
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
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