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The dishonest Servant


Gospel
Luke 16:1-8
The master praised the dishonest servant

Jesus said to his disciples:
    ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”
    Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”
    ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’

Reflection 💡
​The master doesn't praise the steward for his dishonesty, but for his astuteness and foresight. The steward, facing immediate dismissal, acts decisively and resourcefully to secure his future. He knows his time is limited, so he uses the little authority he has left to make friends who will take care of him later. His goal is simple: survival.
​Jesus uses this morally questionable example to shock his disciples into a spiritual realization. His point is not "be dishonest," but "be wise and decisive about your spiritual future." If the "children of this world" (those focused on earthly, temporary gains) are so focused, clever, and active in securing their fleeting needs, how much more should the "children of light" (believers focused on eternal life) be in using their temporary, earthly resources—money, time, talents—to secure a lasting, eternal home? We should apply that same urgency and cleverness to eternal matters.

​Question for Reflection 🤔
​If you knew you had a limited time to use your current resources (money, skills, time, influence) to benefit others and build up "eternal credit," what is the one most astute and urgent action you would take this week?

​Short Prayer 🙏
​Heavenly Father,
​We confess that we are often more focused on temporary gain than on eternal good. Forgive us for our complacency. Grant us the astuteness, urgency, and generosity of spirit to use the gifts and resources you have entrusted to us, not just for ourselves, but to wisely serve others and secure a lasting place in your kingdom. Amen.

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