040 - Passage of the unfaithful Administrator

Passage of the unfaithful Administrator

 

First of all, it is indispensable to clear that, at no moment, Jesus said that this excerpt of the Sacred Scripture is a parable (Always that it is a parable, the Holy Scripture show this very evidently. And this without consider the epigraphs, which was added by men). Therefore, this excerpt is a true happening, but that Jesus used for picture truths about His kingdom.

 

·        "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."(Luke 16.1).

 

The boss was someone very rich, for he had many borrowers and was involved with other businesses (hence have delivered all this business in the hands of the steward).

The steward was someone who managed the affairs of others. The owner, trusting him, gave everything in their hands, without realizing it. See the example of Joseph:

 

·        "And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep." (Gen 39.3-6).

 

He had freedom to enjoy the goods of the boss and doing business in his name.

This steward, unfortunately, was not fear the Eternal One, much less had love for the neighbor. Because of this, he imitated the pagan custom to charge interest, something condemned in Holy Scripture:

 

·        "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury." (Exodus 22:25);

·        "And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase." (Leviticus 25:35-37).

·        "Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it." (Deuteronomy 23:19-20).

 

Among Israelites couldn't be usury:

 

·        " But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, … he that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezek 18.5,8,9)

 

However, it was common to insert the interest on the amount to be received, as if it was the account of that was lent. The person who was asking to borrow many times didn’t realized what was happening.

So much so that, when he call each of the debtors, they believed devoutly that the amount that was to be required of him was really how he owed when, in fact, was present the commission of the steward.

The debtor was taken to note, in a separate sheet, the amount the he owed with your hand so that, by his letter, make clear that he acknowledged the debt. 

The steward left this field blank because, thus, it was more difficult the boss perceive the prejudices that his wanton lifestyle was bringing.

 In the open record, which should be presented to the boss, the field for the value was blank (see about open copy and sealed in Jeremiah 32.11,14).

The debtor signed the two (the open document should be longer and the sealed, more simplified). When typing in the document sealed what was supposed duty, the debtor nor cared to check that the document open the field for the amount owed was blank. 

You may think: How do I know this? 

Well, what would prevent the debtors to place a value less than the established by the steward? Certainly, there was a second document and, if he would put a smaller value or lie about the amount due, would lose the discount. With the discount, the copy sealed (with the additional value charged by the administrator) would only serve to show the maximum amount to be charged.

If the opened document was the sum due, why the steward would ask each one how much they owed? If there wasn’t a sealed document, what guarantee would he have that the debtor would not change the amount due? Even more: as the steward would remember after?

However, when doing the rendering of accounts, the steward, in virtue of be in a hurry, didn't bother to pick up the sealed document, but only the open document.

It is worth noting that the due sum was not monetary, but in food.

Some considerations are valid about this steward:

 

a)   He was accused;

b)   The boss believed in charge;

c)    The steward did not attempt to defend himself;

 

Comes the question: Who was the accuser? Why the boss believed so easily in the indictment? 

In accordance with the law, a complaint could only be accepted if there were two or three witnesses:

 

·        "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (Deut 19.15).

·        " But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (Matthew 18.16).

·        "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (II Corinthians 13.1). 

·        "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." (1 Timothy 5.19).

·        "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:" (Hebrews 10.28).

 

Whereas this boss was someone righteous, surely he heard the required number of witnesses until the whole truth was confirmed.

There is another question: why the steward did not attempt to justify himself?

Surely he did not love the boss, nor the service that he was doing. The same can be seen with Cain:

 

·        "And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.  And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me." (Gen 4.11-14).

·        "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (1John 3.11,12).

 

He had no interest in staying with the boss. Although the boss was rich, he could not have the good life he wanted in the middle of the business of the employer, since that was all directed to what was good and right. There were a few individuals in the house of the boss to compact in the diversions that he would like to have.

He charged the most because he wanted a part just for him to spend on spree with friends, in order to keep the other captives to himself (wealth of injustice). He was wanting his own kingdom with him in the field.

Unfortunately, his conduct was starting to drift away from the faith that dwelt in the house of the boss.

 

·        "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." (Luke 16.2).

 

This reminds that the Eternal One said through Isaiah to Hezekiah:

 

·        "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." (Isaiah 38.1).

 

Comes the question: why does the boss does not dismissed immediately the steward? After all, giving to him more time, he could, for revenge, ruining his boss.

The curious thing is that the steward didn’t do it. He could have forgiven all debtors, which would bring great damage to the boss. And, if the steward did this, the boss would have to accept, because the steward was still in his office.

The first point is that, as the boss was far from business, he did not know anything about them.

As for the prejudice that could have, the boss didn't bother with it, because he knew that the debtor who loved the boss would never accept the cancellation of debt, unless it had assured that this was the will of the employer.

Through this gesture of the steward, the boss can figure out who was who among each one of his debtors (note in the parable that he was watching the whole scene).

When called the debtors, the steward was fulfilling the order of his boss, leaving complete and in order all documentation of your boss.

 

·        "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." (Luke 16.3).

 

In the face of the imminent resignation, the steward took the possibilities:

 

a)   Work on the land he could not, because he had not propriety and all there in the region were in debt to his lord, not having to pay for it. In addition, it is very likely that the boss was the owner of all land of the realm.

Someone could ask that the steward could not work because they had some problem of disease or was not accustomed to hard work or that NOT wanted (for example, by being a basic level work). However, it is good to remember that the steward didn’t say that it was difficult to work on earth or that he didn't like this type of work, but that he could not.

b)   Live begging he didn't want to, because he cared about the individuals' opinions about him. Beg was something shameful, that only those who are sick, lame or weak did. Therefore, he was not sick.

c)    Make friends that received him in their homes.

 

·        "I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses." (Luke 16.4).

 

To lose the administration, the steward could no longer keep up through the goods of his boss. What borrowers owed, would go everything to the boss, to be enjoyed by future administrator (including the amount arbitrarily that he reserved for himself).

Considered the best alternative, the butler passes quickly to the execution of His plan, while you could still:

 

a)   He called the debtors of his lord.

b)   Filled the open copy of debt with the real value;

c)    He gave the bills redone to your boss.

 

The steward, then finally sees that, if he wanted to administer the true riches (people), he had to stop to explore the others.

Comes the question: what, in fact, the steward hoped to achieve?

Receive at home was an act of friendship and compact:

 

·        "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 10.11).

 

The steward hoped to be received at home to talk, take a cup of tea, etc., in order to, so, they can work together in the administration of goods from the host. Although the same were few, with the intelligence of the steward, the host could thrive in his business, pay the rest of the debt, and thus come to be, who knows, a great farmer.

And as the steward hoped to achieve this stewardship? 

The steward occupies, then, the short time remaining in the stewardship to plan something to do with that the debtors of the boss would have agreed with him (see Amos 3.3). Now, the only way to enter into an agreement with the debtors of a good teacher is seeking change of character and having to act with honesty.

To give up on the part of the profit which he had established for himself, the steward, in addition to demonstrating that he was finally seeing the value of friendship and, for this reason, converting from his wicked ways, also he was showing that he was a good negotiator, someone dynamic, that is not prostrate before an adversity, but seeks a means of circumventing the obstacles and win without diminishing himself.

In other words, as well as the boss saw how the steward was skill, the other debtors of the boss also see this and would receive in their homes to help him manage their business and relationships.

And proof that the steward converted is his diligence in wanting to do justice to each debtor. After all, he could, for revenge, falsifying data, whether to undermine the boss or the debtors.

 

·        "So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore." (Luke 16.5-7).

 

Comes the question: why is it that only part of the debt was forgiven?

Because, in addition to the rest belong to the boss, the goal was not to leave the individual without debt, but rather take debtor to owe the right thing (as well as the right amount) to the right individual.

To stay in debt to the boss, borrowers would need to continue going up to him and, thus, have more opportunity to contemplate his generosity. 

Many have misunderstood the forgiveness of Christ. Think about it: God forgave us of our sins or redeemed from the hand of the devil? Who was our creditor?

 

• "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." (Romans 7.14); 
• "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph 4.32).

 

If the Eternal One has forgiven us in Christ, therefore He is the lender. How then to explain these excerpts?

 

• "And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress," (1 Kings 1.29).
• "And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy" (Psalm 106.10).
• "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” (Psalm 107.2).
• And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 136.24).
• "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." (Hosea 13.14).
• "Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away." (Isaiah 50.1).

 

We were slaves of the Eternal One through law. Because we don't obey, we were sold to the Ha-Satan (Romans 7.14). Through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Eternal One has forgiven us (delivered us out of the law - Col 2.15; Matt 18.23-35) and redeemed us from who had the power of death. This He did in order us to be of His, i.e., His servant.

The Eternal One redeemed us of the law because all of it was fulfilled by Jesus (Matt 5.17,18).

In other words, if we agree to belong to Christ and let Him guide us, both in mind as in feelings, we won't need more concern ourselves with laws, nor with our limitations, nor even with the circumstances or needs. He will supply everything.

However, we will always be in debt to Jesus. Hence to say:

 

·        "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." (Rom 13.8). 

 

This does not mean that we should charge love to us (forcing individuals in love - John 20.23). If we do this, the maximum that people do is recognize physically. 

The individual must recognize the privilege of being in debt to the love and then, by choice, never to think that loved too much.

Love is not a burden to be imposed, nor something to be awakened (Song 2.7; 3.5; 8.4), but the meaning to be searched for his own life.

In other words, we do not love to try and convince others to love us, but, because of this be part of our lives now.

And it all starts from the moment we release the individuals of loving us (John 20.23). When the Samaritan woman did this (going to live as if it had not a husband or, if you prefer, stopping to ask this of the man with whom she alive - 1 Corinthians 7.29-31), she was free, then, to drink of the living water that ends up with the thirst of love (John 4.13-16).

We can’t want to be something that we are, much less force this of others. We have to let Jesus show us who we should be to ensure that everything that He is can be highlighted. From then on, all that is required in order that the power of Jesus be perfect in us will come naturally, starting with the individuals who will make up our lives so that our flesh wants to not be manifested (see Gal 5.16,17).

When we release the individuals of loving us, they may choose to let Jesus love us through them, coming to us to recognize, not physically before the world, but in soul and spirit of them.  They recognize us as a vital part in order to the ego of them being weakened and, in this way, Jesus can manifest Himself in their lives (2Co 4.10,11).

We need to be received into the eternal habitations (in the heart of each one) in order that, then, the relationship can really make a difference in who we are.

Note that the debts of the debtors were oil, wheat, much used in the law ceremonial, in the observance of which the debtors had been greatly in fault (Exodus 29.40).

When calling the debtor and order that he fill with the actual amount, this could no longer be changed, regardless of the weather conditions of life (such as ordering the law of Moses, which condemns usury).

How to hurry, this is the reason for the same: 

 

          1st -   So that others do not see his righteous act (what one hand gives, that the other does not see - Matt 6.3). He wanted each saw their qualities in person, instead of winning the name at the expense of what he did to the other (2Cor 2.13-15). Otherwise, instead of calling "each" one of the debtors (one at a time), he would call "all" (at the same time).

       2nd -   Because the steward did not want to expose the misery of man;

 

o   "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 17.9).

 

        3rd -   Because the steward wanted to take advantage of the little time he had while he was still in the stewardship for all debtors could have their debts renegotiated. After he left, it might be a steward who did not want to help.

 

Instead of wanting to hold people for the debt (John 20.23) against him (i.e., by obligation), the administrator chose to try to trap borrowers covering the business (acted wisely and discreetly, calling each of the debtors). The idea is that nobody figure out the size of the debt of each debtor (Matt 18.15).

Although giving alms does not save anyone, they prepare the hearts of those who give them to receive what Jesus has for them (Luke 11.41; 12.33). This is why the Eternal One takes into account the prayers and alms (help) we give to someone (see At 10.3.4) when done out of love of neighbor.

 

·        "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." (Luke 16.8).

 

First of all, who are the "sons of light"? They are those who believe in Jesus and that, because of this, do not allow the hatred to guide their relationships to others (John 12:36, Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).

The end of history the household receives:

 

a)           The gratitude of the debtors;

b)           The praise of the employer;

c)            The recommendation of Jesus so that we imitate. Him

 

The boss has praised the steward because he did not like Cain (going to immediately give an account of his administration to see just the compromise with the Eternal One), coming to accommodate himself to the standards of the world to earn money or try for some illicit method, hanging out with the greatest amount possible in order to have a reserve for the future.

He sought a change of life and purpose. Rather than attempting to gain the maximum in its output and try to survive for some time, he chose to waive any right that he could have (if it is that he had some), believing that it is better to live in newness of life through the goodness of Jesus manifested in the lives of people than to live alone in his alleged wealth (as in Rev 3.16) and, in addition to loneliness, run the risk of, in the future, there is no room for the mercy of Jesus act in hearts in your favor.

Comes the question: why does the "sons of this world” are more skilled than the "children of light"?

In the first place, be skillful in this generation is not virtue: it is a defect (see 1 Corinthians 3.18-20).

The children of the world make bargains to try to achieve the greatest possible profit, get the most out of what they are interested in. In particular, the most illustrious and rich are good to establish political alliances through the riches of this world to gain favors.

Fortunately the children of light does not have wisdom in using the goods of this world for this kind of thing. 

The problem, however, is that the children of light, not realizing this, instead of endeavoring to gather treasures in heaven (Matt 6.22,23) and being rich toward Jesus (Luke 12.21) (the same way that the sons of this world sacrifice themselves to obtain their wealth), unfortunately they insist on wanting to compete with the children of this world in search of earthly riches (and the worse: many times using their methods). It is not up to us to challenge or belittle the authorities, nor end or compete with them (1 Peter 4.4), but find that they only come to Jesus and His Word through us (Jer 15.19).

Since the Eternal One not granted ability to sons of light to thrive through the worldly riches and do materialistic pacts, that they consider to make true friendships through the riches of heaven that the Eternal One placed at their disposal in the midst of things and events that He raise for His glory.

 

·        "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." (Luke 16.9).

 

How to win friends with the mammon of unrighteousness?

Our goods do not buy salvation, much less the true love:

 

·        "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned." (Songs 8.6,7).

 

However, they can be used as a tool to gain the mundane physical resources that the brothers in Christ need to stay in the exercise of their ministry. Delivery to the children of this world what is their due so that the brothers have the physical part that Jesus wants to use in their lives to make His miracle. 

 

·        "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." (Rom 13.7).

 

One of the ways to use the money is buying products from vendors to give to those in need. In addition to helping the seller get what he needs for the home, it also helps the needy (thereby fulfilling Ephesians 4.28).

Furthermore, see:               

 

·        "Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;" (2Co 9:13,14) 

 

When we share liberally with the brother in their needs, because he was involved with Jesus and His mission to him, this our disposition reveals the appreciation that we have in Jesus and in seeing His kingdom spread throughout the world.

This leads the individual to give thanks to Jesus for us. Do ou understand now what it means to be received into the eternal habitations? 

It means being committed to the lives of those who are in debt to Jesus (namely, those who received Him something), so as to be able to have an occupation in their lives. Those who lose the administration of the service of the Eternal One stays wandering aimlessly (Hosea 9.17).

You may be wondering: but all that each one has, it was given them by the Eternal One (Acts 17.25-28). 

Correct! But in the kingdom of heaven there is a special class of debtors: those which owe to the Eternal One the special blessing given to those who love Him (the goods of the soul and spirit - 1Cor 2.9; Eph 1.3; 2.6).

To be more exact, be received into the eternal habitations means being welcomed into the hearts of those who believe, until the day that we can be received by them in heaven (think about how nice it is to be received there by those who love us).

Even because, as it is for there that we will go, we must think: how to enter and survive there?

Whereas we are on a mission in a foreign country and that, at any moment, we could be called back to accountability, we will only be able to gain access back to home if we exchanging the currency of this world in the currency used in the Kingdom of Heaven. There, the currency is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

And there, everything is bought without money and without price (see Isaiah 55.1). In other words, there everything is valuable and should be received, lived and passed on.

Jesus, to acquire the Church, had to "sell" everything that had (Matthew 13.44-46). Comes the question: what did He give? His life in heaven with their wealth. Jesus, who was the only begotten, gave up all the riches in heaven that was His alone to become the firstborn, so that in Him, we could also be heirs.

We have to deliver everything if we want to receive everything.

But why does the Holy Scripture say that we will be received into the eternal habitations only when the mammon of unrighteousness are absent (see Daniel 12.4)? Because, while we have them, we will not see reasons to rely on anyone and nobody will accept depends on us or see reason to help us.

Therefore, if we have more than we need, it is very likely that we wasting the assets of the Eternal One. After all, the riches are the excuse to approach people with a view to treasure up the truth, the brothers in Christ, the light of Christ and His character in their hearts. 

Comes the question: why the money is called richness of injustice?

The money that comes to us for shopping is the result of oppression, gain and fraud. Directly or indirectly, we are complicit in the sins of other men.

 

·        "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).

 

Jesus both appreciates the little things that takes care of even the dust of the earth (Job 38.25-27), to count our hair strands (Matt 10:30; Luke 12.7), put the lilies of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire (Matt 6.28). The circle in the eye of a gnat is a circle as perfect as a drop of dew. The microbes, which being as small that they are invisible to the naked eye, are complete in every detail, such as a greater living being exists. 

Likewise, the character, which is the key feature more characteristic of every human being, is seen in every step of our spiritual growth. In every thought, word and deed of an intelligent being, the character is involved. Nothing is so small that it hasn’t been done with a powerful reason. 

Think about it: it is the little things that constitute the greater part of our life. We have little to treasure up in heaven if we save resources and energies only for the great moments.

Furthermore: mercy is not to be shown, but lived continuously, even in the most common moments. This is to give weight to our life.

But, what makes something to be great spiritually? The intrinsic characteristic to it or the work involved to do it? The small thing is what the Eternal One is able to create instantly; the great one, what the Eternal One has invested time working in the spirit of the individual directly with His spirit.

Understand the difference: the Eternal One can instantly create many Adam He wants. However, a regenerated sinner is only possible after a lot of work in the human heart.

The lowest is usually general. The most important thing, on the other hand, is the specific, due to the wealth of its details.

As you can see, the day of small things is highly special in order that great things work and make sense (Zechariah 4:10).

Besides, think: if the individual is capable of yielding in the face of small temptations, this shows how he is able to swap the riches of heaven by the most futile things. In other words, the small things end up being more aggravating factors that great ones.

 

·        "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16:11)

 

Who is greedy relies more on goods because, first of all, they rely on themselves to take care of themselves. (Ps 52.7). This one will abuse of the riches of this world, and use them to own advantage. How, then, can make good use of the riches of heaven? Many times the riches are an impediment to pity. 

Who is not faithful in dealing with what belongs to others, much less be able to be faithful in dealing with the heart of these people.

If a person cannot be faithful before the Eternal One with the money He gives them, as will they be faithful in taking care of His true treasure (His people)? Who is not grateful and faithful to what the Eternal One gives them, can never be pleasing to Him.

 

• "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:" (Prov 6.6).

 

To illustrate this, imagine two people: one that only stored money and another who used all the money to acquire ear to enjoy music, vision to see the beauty of nature, smell to feel the scent of flowers, as well as culture and wisdom.

What good to acquire resources, if they do not  allow us to see the sheer beauty that is in everything that the Eternal One places in our lives?

 

·        "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16.12).

 

That merit can be obtained when we give someone something that belongs to the next? Want to help someone giving him what belongs to another is dishonest. Everything that we offer to the neighbor don’t belong, first of all, to the Eternal One? When we give what belongs to the Eternal One to help someone whose intentions are not pleasing to Him (either by trade or friendship) we are being dishonest.

The great blessing in this world is the ability to help other individuals to see Jesus operating in their lives, seeking for them all the necessary provision for this. 

But how, if nothing we possess? Therefore, the virtue is not to give what is ours, but to receive the help that Jesus wants to give us so that we can use it for His glory. If we are not faithful in what belongs to Jesus, as we will receive our life (Matt 10.39; Col 3.3)?

In other words, we can only give our true life to those that the Eternal One gives us if we are faithful in managing everything that is His. This means that someone will only receive who are us actually in their heart and vice versa if we are faithful in using their stuff for His glory.

 

·        "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 God and mammon." (Luke 16:13).

 

It is possible for someone to be extremely mundane and have strong religious feelings. It is sufficient that the religion enjoy them. 

However, suppose there is two men: one called Truth and the other, Falsehood. As can you serve both at the same time (Matt 6.24):

Imagine that a dog like two people. As the two walk together, it will be impossible to know who is the owner of the dog. When the road, however, to fork and each one is for a road, then we shall see who the dog really recognizes as the owner.

As our true man cannot touch material things, soon the only chance to please him is with the knowledge of the Eternal One within yourself:

 

·        "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him." (Luke 16.14).

 

The Chapters 15 and 16 of Luke are directed to the Pharisees and tax collectors. These, by accumulating unlawful gains and those, because they are greedy.

The Pharisee was the son of this world because they were the ones who most knew enjoy him, whether in political or religious aspect.

And, unlike what many think, they were not unfair from the point of view of the world. They struggled to be fair and to enforce the law (Matt 5.24). The problem with them is that they demanded of others something that not even they wanted to do (Matt 23.4), wiz., they were hard on demand from other law enforcement, when they themselves were often loose at certain times (Luke 13.15). Not to mention that, because they are greedy, often used sacred things as prayer to justify their exploitation to the widows (Luke 20.47).

Therefore, the steward was an illustration of how were the Pharisees.  

Such as the steward finally sees that, if he wanted to administer the true riches (people), he had to stop to explore the other on behalf of his boss, the Pharisees should see that, once they dispelled the sheep of the Eternal One (Ezek 34.3-6), with the change of the alliance, they would not more take advantage of the material offers of the law (Ezek 34.12-16).

Without the “job” of the Eternal One, all that the Pharisees have forced others to give to the cult would not go more for them. Now, the only way to survive was to achieve the confidence needed to administer lives, which implies in forgiving undue sins so that the excessive load placed by them not more retrieve the individual to continue toward the chief things.

 

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE?

 

It is in vain that this passage comes after the passage of the prodigal son. This steward was so spendthrift and wasteful as the prodigal son. 

The parables were, in a certain sense, a judgment for unbelievers, a confirmation of rejection (Matt 13.13-16).       

 

• "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." (Matthew 13.13-16).
• "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." (Isaiah 6.9,10).
• " And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned." (Isaiah 29.11,12).

 

Do not have eyes to see is a judgment.

Although this passage is not a parable, but of a fact happened, this was used by Jesus to illustrate a sacred truth.

All individuals involved were honest within the standards of the world:

 

·        The boss was conducting his business honestly.

·        The steward did not diverted the money to the boss, nor deceived borrowers. The money collected the most was something considered correct by society;

·        The debtors have said the correct value of debt and the fact of accepting the discount was something normal and lawful (as a gift when you make settlement). It is good to remember that the steward had a legal right to do what he wanted. He had power of attorney to represent the boss before those who wanted to do business with him.

 

However, this mundane honesty does not solve the problem of anyone:

 

·        The boss was having their goods dissipated;

·        The steward was not happy, despite being a good office;

·        The debtors, even with the partial debt relief, still was poor.

 

Another point to note is that, although the steward was still staying one more time in the stewardship, nothing he did would allow him to regain employment. 

To lose the administration, the steward was losing your income and your reputation (because now everyone would know that he was incompetent). He saw that the only way to revert this was investing in soul and spirit of individuals.

To make them a great good, this expression of the love of Jesus would embarrass them (2Cor 5:14).  In the same way, are not our good works that give us salvation, but rather the be received within the hearts. Our time is too short to try to fix the nonsense that we did and, even if we could, that nothing would change our inner selves.

Now you understand why the boss praised the steward? He finally learned to be faithful in a very little. He could leave, without caring about the condition of the debtors, however preferred to take advantage of the little time to help them. Although it could have done badness with the boss, yet he did not think to harm him. 

The proof  that the owner of the steward was not harmed is that he wasn’t annoyed with his attitude. Although tracking throughout the negotiation of the steward, did nothing to interfere.

In addition, with the forgiveness of part of the debt, finally the steward was contributing to that borrowers could see the privilege which is to owe to the Love in person. The debt was not all forgiven so that borrowers could stay connected in love to the Eternal One.

So, what was the type of assistance provided by this steward? Certainly, was not material, since the debt was not completely paid, nor added assets in the lives of debtors. Not to mention that many, perhaps, could not have their debt paid, coming to never experience any benefit in virtue of done of this administrator.

Therefore, the benefit was in soul and spirit as a result of repentance and conversion of the steward.

Likewise, all of us belong to the Eternal One three times:

 

·        Because He is our Creator;

·        Because He is our Creditor;

·        Because He is our Redeemer.

 

Let’s use Israel as illustration. As Creator One, He created Israel without sin, but he used the liberty to involve himself in many slyness (Ecc 7.29). As Israel sin against the Eternal One, He sold them to Ha-Satan and deliver them to their enemies until all debt to be paid. When, however, Israel convert to the Eternal One, He free them (redeeming their bodies).

However, the soul still stay without being redeemed and, thus, without being able to bind to nobody, but only use each other to get what they desire.

Because this, after they being free of the enemies, the Israel’s leaders started to oppress their own people (for example, refusing themselves to forgive the debtor). For this, the Eternal One finally delivered them to the slavery until they recognize His Messiah as redeemer (see Matthew 18.23-35) (whereas Israel always interpreted bad the Eternal One’s release by His servants).

Israel wanted freedom to do what they wanted. They wished a god that give them what they wanted, without need to depend of anybody, even that was necessary to pass over the will of the others.

Based on this, we can see that the teaching of Jesus is not that we should win the favor of individuals through the money. First, because true love cannot be bought (Song 8.7). This is the kind of attitude that men adopt to try to buy the favor of the Eternal One.

What Jesus expects is that the resources of this world can afford the opportunity to enter into the hearts each other by Him e His Word.