Luke 16:1-8 - James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

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THE MAN WHO ACTED WISELY

‘There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; … And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely.’

Luke 16:1-8

This parable draws a lesson from the conduct of a worldly man. Not that we are advised to act as he did—but that as he showed wisdom and decision in his worldly concerns, so should we in spiritual matters.

Consider the story. An accusation was made against a certain steward of having embezzled his master’s property. He was not at once dismissed (Luke 16:4), for that would have been unjust before the accusation was proved, but was ordered to bring in his account, so as to satisfy his master. Just so do we stand in God’s sight. The accusation is made (Romans 5:12; Romans 5:16; Romans 5:18). We are told to be ready for the day of reckoning (Amos 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

What did the steward do? Three points may be noticed:—

I. He profited by the past.—When the word came to him he saw at once that he was condemned. He does not justify himself (Luke 18:11). He does not go in rashly with the account as it is (Matthew 27:5). No. He was convinced, in reflecting on his situation, that he must alter his ways (1 Peter 4:1-3). He says, ‘What shall I do?’ Such is the cry of conviction (Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30).

II. He overcame the present.—No sooner was he convinced of his difficulty than he set to work to conquer it. ‘I am resolved what to do’ (Joshua 1:7; 1 Kings 18:21; James 1:8). There is no delay (Proverbs 6:5), no hesitation (Hebrews 2:3). He thinks, he decides, he acts (Luke 15:17-20). Look at the case of the first tenant. The steward had clearly been in the habit of receiving from him a hundred measures, of which he appropriated fifty, and sent in fifty to his lord. Now he says to the tenant, You need only pay fifty. This would put the man under obligation to himself, and make the account right for his master. So with the others, and the difficulty was overcome.

III. He provided for the future.—Whichever way matters went, he was right for the future—right for his lord; standing well with the tenants. What was the result? His lord (Luke 16:8) commended him. See the case of St. Paul as illustrating our duty. ‘What wilt Thou have me to do?’ ‘This one thing I do.’ ‘I know Whom I have believed.’ ‘Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.’

Wisdom and diligence in spiritual things is the lesson to be drawn from this. We must decide and act with reference to our account for God.

—Bishop Rowley Hill.

Related Commentaries of Luke 16:1

Luke 16:1-8

1 And he said also unto his disciples,There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

6 And he said, An hundred measuresa of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measuresb of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.