Some biblical scholars say that this story is one of the most difficult and
intriguing parables there is in the whole of the scriptures. Let us go back to the story again. There was a rich man who learned that his steward was embezzling money from his business. Because of this, he wanted to have a full accounting of the entire
estate. The steward got so worried because he knew that he would be doomed and that his days were numbered, so he thought of a plan, a back up plan to help himself. He called his master’s debtors for a meeting. He reduced the debt of the other workers so that when the time came that he would need help, they would have a hard time saying “no” to him. It’s the “you scratch my back, and I will do yours” philosophy.
But, the most shocking part of the story is that the master, who was already cheated, praised the cleverness of the steward. It just doesn’t make sense. But, what is the point of Jesus in the story? Not that he encourages us to be dishonest but, rather, when he said that “the sons of this world are shrewder in their own generation than the sons of light”, Jesus wants to tell us that if we can be as clever, eager and ingenious in our attempt to attain and spread goodness as those with worldly concerns in their attempt to attain money and power, then the world would be a better place. If we can be as clever or more clever than the dishonest servant in doing good, then we become more effective evangelizers. If only people would give more attention to the things that concern the soul as they do on things that seem to be important but in the end are quite insignificant, we would be much better human beings. People spend twenty times or more the amount of time and energy on things that will not give them eternal life than on things that will assure us of heaven.
To be good stewards of God’s gifts is what the gospel is asking us today. Christian
discipleship is to know how to be a good steward because everything that we have is from God’s generosity – money, success in personal relationships, children, special gifts and talents, etc. Ultimately, we can’t claim any exclusive ownership of them. In fact, they are there to serve one purpose: to glorify God. As stewards of God’s manifold gifts, having been blessed with so much, there is an expectation that we have made use of those blessings wisely, prudently and justly.
If God were to ask you right now, like the master did to his dishonest servant in the
parable, for a full accounting of your life, if God were to audit you right now of what he has given to you, how will you fare? Do you think God will reward you for being a good steward?
– Fr. Cary