(Ref. Texts: Amos 8:4–7; Ps 112⁄113; 1Tim 2:1–8; Luke 16:1–13)
“The man or woman who enjoys the spirit of our religion has no trials; but the man or woman who tries to live according to the gospel of the Son of God, and at the same times clings to the spirit of the world, has trials and sorrows acute and keen, and that too, continually. This is the deciding point, the dividing line. They who love and serve God with all their hearts rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks; but they who try to serve God and still cling to the spirit of the world have got on two yokes– the yoke of Jesus and the yoke of the devil, and they will have plenty to do. They will have a warfare inside and outside, and the labour will be very galling, for they are directly in opposition one to the other” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. XVI).
Contents
Preamble
After addressing and reminding the Pharisees and the Scribes that people should not be judged based on the fact that they are different, and especially after the powerful lesson on the necessity of repentance (cf. Luke 15:1–32), Jesus continues his practical teachings specifically to the disciples and to all believers (cf. “And he also said to the disciples” in Luke 16:1). There is a close link between the parable of the wasteful administrator and the chief actor (the younger son) of the parable in Luke 15:11–32. Both had a considerable share of worldly wealth entrusted unto them. Unfortunately, these goods were misused, squandered and wasted. In fact, the same Greek term (diaskorpizō) is used to indicate the wastefulness (cf. Luke 15:13; 16:1). The world has developed a culture of waste that so many things are continuously wasted with impunity. For instance, how many lives and property are wasted here in Nigeria? What about the universal scene? It is the same music – waste and continuous waste of lives, properties, values and morals. The “and he also said to his disciples” in Luke 16:1 indicates Jesus wants his disciples and Christians to avoid waste. In fact, the parable is about a rich man who received a report that his steward was squandering his property. The idea of waste implies injustice and recklessness. Whoever is involved in this needs repentance. Each person should reflect and find out what he or she is squandering and have a change of heart. Accountability and salvation means we cannot do as we like and hope to be saved. Accountability and salvation are inseparable.
The wasteful steward
“Then Jesus1 said to the disciples, there was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, what is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer” (Luke 16:1–2). When the manager was accused of squandering his master’s possession/property (Greek: uparchonta), the rich man summoned him, and asked him to submit the account of his stewardship (Greek: oikonomia) because he will no longer administer (Greek: oikonomeō) his resources/company. This information concerning his dismissal led the administrator to plan for his survival. By ordering the debtors of the master to falsify their account (cf. vv.1–2), the manager of the household/administrator/steward (Greek: oikonomos) confirms the accusation against him (cf. v.3–7). Observe these terms: oikonomos, oikonomia and oikonomeō. That is, minister, ministering/stewardship and the act of administering/serving. Both terms refer to uparchonta. That is, the wealth of the rich man. An oikonomos is a person responsible for the household. In this sense, he or she is a steward, a servant or a manager (cf. Luke 12:42). In some sense, each person is an oikonomos. How do you manage what is entrusted to you?
Note that the term economy derives from oikonomos. In fact, the term economy means managing or management of resources (money, goods, people, etc.). The protagonist of this parable was actually the minister of economy of the rich man. That is, he had the charge of managing his master’s property. Certainly, the rich man trusted him and entrusted him with such responsibility. A trust he betrayed. Instead of taking care of the man’s resources, he wasted them, probably, enriching himself, his family and friends to the detriment of his master. He left his master with no option than to dismiss him else, his wastefulness and selfishness, could reduce the man to poverty and cause unemployment to others. This was the only way to safeguard the company and save others from the danger of unemployment.
Just think of how the various ministers of economy in various nations and institutions, especially in Nigeria squander the resources of their countries, causing poverty and unemployment. Yet, they are not fired. Incredible! Nigerian politicians and the various ministers are worse than the manager of our parable, yet, they retain their seats. Naturally, they cannot be dismissed because even those who are supposed to send them parking are also guilty of the same crime. As the Nigerian slogan has it, they are sharing the national cake. Yes, they are partitioning the nation’s cake among themselves, their families, friends and political godfathers and mothers while the masses suffer and die. It is a fact that the level of poverty in the country is responsible for the religious prostitution of the populace. Nigerian masses erroneously submit to religion as the solution to their predicament. In fact, things are not even different. Things are not different because religion as solution has given rise to unimaginable rise of false prophets and ministers of self-enrichment. Unfortunately, many Christian leaders are not better managers. Well, some might conclude it is a matter of conscience. Yes, it might be a matter of conscience yet, we cannot pretend not to know that many are godless and selfish oikonomoi. Many waste (steal) public money and property, yet they remain in their positions. Why? Why are the dishonest and unrighteous leaders not dismissed? Why are they allowed to keep squandering the resources they are supposed to administer?