Faithful in Little and in Much

MEMORY VERSE: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” —Luke 16:10

LUKE 16:10-15; 17:7-10

THE first part of this lesson is Jesus’ application of the Parable of the Unjust Steward. This steward though still in charge, was about to lose his position of trust, so he took the opportunity to make drastic cuts in the amounts owed by his master’s debtors. He did this to make friends with them, in the ‘hope that they would take him into their homes when his stewardship was finally terminated. This was an unjust use of his master’s goods and a betrayal of his trust.

The followers of Jesus are given a stewardship over their Master’s “goods.” When entering the service of the Lord we give him everything we possess, and he allows us to use it for him as his stewards. We are also given a stewardship over the truth of the Gospel which was given to us by the Lord. (I Cor. 4:1) Our memory verse is a reminder of Paul’s statement that “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (I Cor. 4:2) We are not to use either the material things of life or “the mysteries of God” to further our own interests, but should remember that all should be used to the glory of God.

The lesson of the parable was directed particularly to the disciples, but, according to verse 14, the Pharisees also were listening. These, as the verse states, were “covetous, … and they derided him.” Then Jesus said to them, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men,” that is, you are the ones illustrated in this respect by the unjust steward. Jesus added, “But God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

The Pharisees up to that time were stewards of the Lord. They sat in Moses’ seat. These religious rulers and teachers were about to lose their stewardship, and thus would no longer serve God as “children of light.” Jesus said that the children of this world were wiser than these, which was true. The unjust steward endeavored to make friends for himself; but while the Pharisees sought the plaudits of men, they did few favors to earn these plaudits, but, rather, heaped heavy burdens upon the people under their jurisdiction.

Verse 9, as it appears in our Common Version, makes the parable difficult to understand, for in its present form it indicates that Jesus was encouraging his disciples to follow the example of the unjust steward. Two suggestions have been made concerning the translation of this verse. Humphrey Millord, in “The Companion Bible,” published by the Oxford University Press, suggests that the verse could be translated to open with a question, “And do I say unto you?” etc.

Another suggestion is that the word “of” before the expression “the mammon of unrighteousness” could just as properly be translated “beyond,” or “outside of.” Thus Jesus’ admonition would be to make friends outside of, or beyond, the mammon of unrighteousness. Either of these suggestions would give this verse a meaning in harmony with the remainder of the parable.

Of one thing we are certain—Jesus did not encourage the disciples to use their stewardship, either of their earthly goods or of “the mysteries of God,” in a manner to further their earthly interests. They were not to court the friendship of the world. They were to realize, as the parable teaches, that a follower of Jesus cannot properly serve God and mammon.

Our memory verse presents an important reminder of the need to be faithful in the little things. Most of the Lord’s people have but little they can devote to the service of the Lord, but if they are faithful in the use of the little things which are entrusted to them, and particularly if they are faithful in their stewardship of the truth, this faithfulness is accepted by the Lord as evidence of a heart condition which would impel them to sacrifice their all in his service, regardless of how much it might be.

The second part of the lesson reminds us that, after we have done the best we can to serve the Lord, we are still unprofitable servants. In this parable the servant had worked all day long in the field, but he was not to think of himself as entitled to special favors, for he had done only what was his duty. Stewardship is to be practiced, not for personal gain, but as obedient service, and to the glory of the Lord.

QUESTIONS

Relate the Parable of the Unjust Steward.

Are Christians to use their material goods and their stewardship of the truth to further their earthly interests?

Are we entitled to any special reward from the Lord for faithful service to him?

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