The Unrighteous Steward

Luke 16:1-13 records the story of the “Unrighteous Steward”. Of course the steward is identified as being unrighteous in verse 8 however mammon or wealth is also identified in verse 11 as being “unrighteous”. Let me suggest that wealth is not inherently “unrighteous” and our understanding of how the steward was “unrighteous” also needs to be understood properly.

In those days and times, the rich entrusted vast sums of wealth to “Stewards” to invest. The Stewards had broad powers and were not closely monitored until a set date when an accounting had to be made. The rich man heard that his Steward was “wasting” his goods and summoned the Steward and told him based upon this report that he could no longer continue as his Steward and to give an accounting of his Stewardship.

He was not fired yet or he could have just walked away. He had to go to all of his Master’s creditors and collect what was owed and turn it over to his Master. Once the accounting was complete then he was no longer Steward.

What did the Steward do? He went to all his Master’s creditors to get them to pay up and he heavily discounted what they owed. This was an entirely legal and ethical practice and in fact is practiced in our day and time.

For example, today on the radio I heard Dave Ramsey tell someone that after a period of time Credit Card companies will discount credit card debt by up to 75%. Why? Because the Credit Card Company has no hope of collecting the whole sum so they settle for a lessor amount… an entirely legal and ethical practice.

So how was the Steward “unrighteous”? Certainly he may have given bigger discounts than he should have but the big way he was “unrighteous” was in his attitude and motivation… he was all about self-preservation and that’s always unrighteous. He certainly was canny and shrewd and his Master and Jesus recognized that.

So how is wealth “unrighteous”? Wealth in and of itself is not “unrighteous”. It becomes “unrighteous” when it is used selfishly. Wealth used “righteously”… “Righteous Wealth” is used unselfishly for the benefit of others.

Jesus concludes… you cannot serve two masters… you cannot serve God and the pursuit of wealth.

Choose to serve God and he will grant you eternal wealth.