Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was
reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and
said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of
your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’” Luke
16:1–2
There is much to ponder in this parable and many lessons from which
we can learn. To begin, the rich man should be understood as God
and you as the steward. This is an important first lesson to learn
because it reveals to us that, when it comes to material things in
this world, God is the true owner of all—we are only stewards.
Think about that carefully. When it comes to all that you own, all
your money and possessions, do you hold on to it as if you were the
complete master of these material items? Clearly most people do
think this way. They may work hard to earn a living, save and buy
this and that, build up their bank accounts, and then remain very
attached to these material things, seeing them as “mine” rather
than as God’s. So the first very challenging lesson we should look
at is that all we “own” is actually the possession of God. He only
permits us to be stewards of the things of this world. Do you
believe that?
As stewards, we must be committed to use the riches within our
stewardship only in the way that God wants it used. In this
parable, the steward was reported to the rich man for “squandering
his property.” We also are guilty of squandering the possessions of
God when we use money in accord with our own will and desires
rather than those of God’s. This is an exceptionally common
tendency, especially for those who have become the stewards of much
money. Therefore, the more money that one has stewardship over, the
more they will be tempted to squander it, meaning, use it for
selfish purposes rather than for the glory of God in accord with
His will. This is a hard teaching to accept and live. But these
truths are indeed revealed to us by this parable, so it is
essential that we listen.
The words spoken by the rich man, “Prepare a full account of your
stewardship,” are words that we must all anticipate hearing one
day. If that day were today, what would that “full account of your
stewardship” look like? Have you worked hard for selfish gain? Or
have you worked hard to act with great responsibility over the
things God has entrusted to your care?
As the parable continues, we read that the steward acted
“prudently” in that he devised a plan to make sure his material
needs were met once he lost his position as steward. The
“prudence,” however, that is spoken of here is a reference to the
worldly, and therefore, evil ingenuity, cleverness, hard work and
commitment many people have regarding the material wealth they seek
to obtain in this world. Though it is good to be diligent and
hardworking in life, too often this is done for the purpose of
selfish gain. Just imagine if everyone who worked so hard at
getting rich put even more effort into building up the Kingdom of
God on earth! How different this world would be if we had so many
hard workers for God’s mission.
Reflect, today, upon the simple truth that when it comes to the
riches of this world, you are only the steward of what you possess,
not its master. God wants you free from the attachment to material
wealth so that you will be free to use all that you have for His
glory and in accord with His purpose. That does not mean that you
must donate all you have to charities. Instead, it means that you
continually offer all that you have to God and seek to use it in
accord with His will and His will alone. If that means you discern
that God wants you to buy something new, then buy something new. If
that means giving more away, then give more away. If that means
living more simply as a holy sacrifice, then do just that. Money
cannot buy happiness. Only embracing God’s will to the fullest will
result in the happiness and fulfillment you deeply desire.
My Lord of all riches, You and You alone are the Master of all
things created. All that I have and possess are Yours, dear Lord.
Help me to believe this and to live my life purely as a steward of
the possessions I have. Free me from squandering that which You
have entrusted to my care. May I use all for Your glory and only in
accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: The Parable of the Unfaithful
Ruler by Andrey Nikolaevich Mironov, via Wikimedia Commons
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