Beth-El Baptist Church

05/18/2007

Greg Tomlinson


What is meant by the parable of the unjust steward?


The parable of the “unjust steward” found in Luke 16 is highly controversial in its understanding. There are those who see the land owner as God and the steward as representing Israel, there are those who believe that the text has a copy error and that the “lord” did not “commend” or “praise” the unjust steward but that he “cursed” him. What we have in the text is the text we have, so how can we understand this confusing parable?


  1. What is the passage and its context?

Luke 16:1-9 – Parable of the unjust steward Luke 15:1-7 – Parable of lost sheep

Luke 15:8-10 – Parable of lost coin Luke 15:11-32 – Parable of the prodigal son

Luke 16:10-13 – Evaluation of stewardship Luke 16:14-18 – Law & Prophets

Luke 16:19-31 – Parable of Lazarus & the rich man


The parable of the unjust steward is right in the middle of a series of parables and their commentaries and applications. It is proceeded by three parables regarding the joy in heaven over the lost sinner who repented and is now found. It is followed by an evaluation of what a good steward is supposed to do, Jesus' analysis of the Pharisaical view of the Law and the prophets and finally the parable of the Lazarus and the rich man. These last three are related to the dealings of a man now in light of eternal things.


  1. What is a steward?

Genesis 39:1-9 Matthew 20:1-15

Luke 12:42-48 1 Corinthians 4:1-5


A steward is one that has been given responsibility over the belongings of another. Whatever the belongings are, they do not belong to the steward, they belong to the master who has given them to him.


Titus 1:5-9 1 Peter 4:10-11

Romans 3:1-2 Lamentations 3:22-23

Genesis 1:26-27 Ezekiel 18:4, 20


Ultimately every human being is a steward with God as the owner and decider of what is to happen as a result of a man's stewardship. The Hebrews were particular stewards of God in that it is through them that the law of God was given to men and through them that the prophets of God declared the righteousness of God and the necessity of judgment for those who break God's law.


In the understanding of the parable, we have to be careful not to take it too far. While every human is to be a steward of the life and gifts given by God, that does not mean that God's judgment follows the same lines as the 'lord' in this parable. There are some parallels but do not take it too far.




  1. What did the steward do?

Luke 16:1 Matthew 25:24-27; 26:31; Luke 15:13-14

He squandered or scattered the belongings of His master.


Luke 16:3-7 Luke 12:15-20; Proverbs 14:12, 20;

Matthew 6:27-34


After being told that he would not longer be the caretaker over the owners possessions, the steward focuses in on his own personal needs and prepares for the future. The future he focuses on is materialistic and will ultimately fade away to nothing but he prepares for the future and does so aggressively.


  1. What does the owner do?

Luke 16:2 Matthew 12:35-37;Romans 14:10-13;1 Peter 4:3-6


The owner notifies the steward that the time of his stewardship will soon be over and he must 'give an account' or explain to the master what he has done with the possessions of the master. Likewise, every human being will have to stand before the God of all creation and given an account of what has transpired in their life. Judgment follows the giving of an account.


Luke 16:8 Romans 15:11; 1 Corinthians 11:17-22


The owner 'praises' or 'commends' the “unjust” steward. Since we have the concept of 'praise' and 'unjust' tied together here, it must be clear that the 'praise' is not because of his unjustness but it does have something to do with what he did do.


  1. What did the steward do that was commendable and about which the 'children of light' are negligent?

Luke 16:4, 9 Colossians 3:1-3

2 Corinthians 4:17; 5:15 1 Corinthians 9:24-27


The unjust steward was commended for his “shrewdness” by which he sought after a future provision, though worldly. The question regarding the children of the light is how “shrewd” or diligent are they pursuing the eternal presence of God that blesses forever. The goal of the unjust steward is temporary for it perishes, but the children of God pursue an eternal reward, yet their strivings of it is less than what should be expected for such a reward.


  1. What is the lesson to be learned from the text?

Luke 16:9-13 Mark 11:22

Ephesians 4:1-3 Colossians 1:9-14

Philippians 3:8-13


The lesson in this passage is that as Christians we need to live our lives as thou we are in pursuit of holiness, righteousness, perfection, and anything else that aligns itself with the nature and character of God. The goal of our pursuit is the eternal realm not the earthly possessions that perishes.