The Way of Responsible Stewardship

MEMORY SELECTION: “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

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:10-15; Mark 12:41-44

THE position of a steward was an important and responsible office in Bible times. A steward did not own property but had full privileges and authority to do whatever he wished with his owner’s goods. It was essential, therefore, that he be honest and dependable. One who occupied the office of steward could not be held accountable for misdeeds before a court of law—the nature of the office being such that he merely represented the owner in connection with the property or goods.

In the Parable of the Unjust Steward, the steward had violated his master’s trust. When the master demanded an accounting of his stewardship, the steward knew that his unrighteous deeds would soon catch up with him.

Being a man of meager talents, the steward was concerned as to how he could make a living after his dismissal. He conceived the plan of dealing generously with his master’s debtors in the hope that the debtors would become friendly to him. Then, after his dismissal, the former debtors would take him into their homes.

In verse 9 (AV) The Lord says, “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”

This is an incorrect translation because it is out of character with the righteous principles expounded by the Lord. We cannot accept the thought that our Lord, by use of a parable, would instruct his disciples to make friends with “the mammon of unrighteousness” for any reason. In fact, the lesson in the remaining portion of the chapter is an explanation and an enlargement on the principle that it is impossible to serve two masters. Our Lord, in verse 13, states, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve Yahweh and mammon.” (HNB translation)

We of course, as Bible students, realize that the punctuation in the Bible is not inspired. “None of our modern marks of punctuation are found until the ninth century, and then only in Latin versions and some cursives. From this point it will be seen that the punctuation of all modern editions of the Greek text, and of all versions made from it, rests entirely on human authority and has no weight whatever in determining or even influencing the interpretation of a single passage. This refers also to the employment of capital letters, and all the modern literary refinements of the present day.” (Companion Bible, app. 94, v3)

In view of these facts, it follows that the context is what should govern the interpretation of a text. And as a guide, we realize that the interpretation, to be correct, must be in harmony with the truth and with the character of the Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus, as set forth in the Scriptures.

With these things in mind, we believe that the translation of verse 9 should read as follows: “Would I say unto you, make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when ye fail, they may receive you into age-lasting habitations?” (HNB)

The answer to this question, of course, is No! Jesus would not say this to them. But, taking the opportunity in his reply to the Pharisees (vs. 15), he stated, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but Yahweh knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of Yahweh.” (HNB) The obvious lesson is that the sly worldly approach used by the steward was the type of action that would be applauded by the scribes and Pharisees, who sought the approval of men.

And so in harmony with our memory selection, which was taken from the parable, the Christian must demonstrate his responsibility and basic honesty even when dealing in worldly matters. There is no circumstance under which Christian principles may be abandoned.

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