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Homily on Luke 16:1–8: The
Dishonest Steward. (September 21)
The
parable Jesus gives us today is one of the most puzzling in the Gospels. A
steward, caught mismanaging his master’s property, quickly reduces people’s
debts in order to gain their friendship. And yet, the master praises him—not
for his dishonesty, but for his cleverness, his shrewdness.
Jesus
is not telling us that cheating is good. Augustine and other Church Fathers are
very clear: deceit is never holy, never justified. The steward is praised for
his worldly cleverness, but
in the eyes of God his actions fall short.
What,
then, is Jesus teaching us? That if people go to such lengths to secure
material well-being and self-preservation, shouldn’t we, with even more energy,
zeal, and creativity, strive for what really matters—our eternal salvation and
treasure in heaven?
A Modern Story
To bring this home, imagine
this:
There was once a master
carpenter, known far and wide for the quality of his work. After many years, he
was ready to retire and spend his days quietly with his family. His employer, a
long-time friend, asked him for one last favor: “Build me one more house.”
The carpenter agreed, but his
heart wasn’t in it. He cut corners, used cheaper materials, and rushed the work.
When he finished, he handed over the keys, not proud of what he had done.
Then came the surprise. His
boss smiled and said, “This house is my gift to you.” The carpenter was
stunned. He realized that the house he would now live in every day was the one
he had built carelessly.
Isn’t that a parable for our
lives? We are each building the “house” of our eternal destiny. If we live
carelessly, cutting corners spiritually—neglecting prayer, skimping on love,
living for ourselves—we may find that what we have built is not what we hoped
for.
Doing Well and Doing Good
Jesus is not against doing
well in life. He knows we need food, shelter, health, and security. But He
insists that our greatest energy should be spent not on feathering our own nest
but on doing good that lasts into eternity.
Worldly shrewdness may win
short-term approval, but it cannot buy eternal reward. True Christian prudence
is not about clever self-preservation but about transparent honesty and
generous love. As Augustine put it, love means willing the good of the other.
The dishonest steward’s actions barely reach that standard—he is still thinking
mainly of himself.
Stewardship in Daily Life
This wisdom applies not only
to business dealings but to every corner of our lives, especially marriage and
family. A husband and wife are called to serve each other, not just to
compromise but to seek together God’s will. That is why we say marriage is not
50/50 but 100/100—each giving fully, each stewarding not only material needs
but the spiritual path of the family.
Family life, like the
carpenter’s house, is something we build day by day. If we cut
corners—neglecting prayer, taking each other for granted, living only for
ourselves—the “house” may stand, but it will not be what God intended. If, instead,
we pour ourselves into it with generosity and love, then we will discover, in
the end, that Christ Himself has been building with us, preparing us for our
eternal home.
Conclusion
So today’s parable challenges
us. If people can be so determined to secure a temporary future, how much more
determined should we be to secure an eternal one?
Let us not be careless
stewards, but wise ones. Let us invest our time, our love, our resources in
what lasts forever. Let us make Christ Himself our steward, our mediator, the
one who guides our every choice. For He alone can lead us to the home where no
dishonesty, no corner-cutting, no short-term gain remains—only the joy of
eternal friendship with Him. Amen.
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