Jesus teaches us through parables. The beauty of the parables is that they are timeless, and for that reason, can help us in our troubled times today and in our personal lives. Through his parables, Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on him. To that end, he allows us to connect the dots and tease out the hidden meaning in his parables. He provides clues along the way, for sure, but the motive of the main characters is often key in discovering the real point of the story. The parable about the dishonest steward follows this pattern.
The story provides a detailed description of how the disreputable steward saves his own skin through clever manipulation and exploitation of his master’s wealth. That much is obvious. Then, Jesus surprises us with an unexpected conclusion to the story. When the master finds out what the steward has done, he praises the steward’s unscrupulous behavior.
Equally surprising is the lesson Jesus claims the parable offers. Rather than warning against imitating the dishonest behavior of the steward, Jesus encourages the children of the light to be as clever with dishonest wealth. He claims that doing so is a means of proving themselves trustworthy with true wealth! All of which leads to the unexpected conclusion that we cannot serve two masters, God and mammon. Jesus leaves the choice to us.
With this parable, Jesus shows how the commandments and the whole Mosaic Law can be interpreted and applied in ways that go beyond the obvious. The underlying reference point for this story, for example, is the first of the Ten Commandments: “There shall be no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god” (Ps 81: 10-11). During the time of Jesus, there were many Roman and Greek gods available for the ancient Hebrews to serve. Thus, on one level, the point of the story is obvious: “No one can serve two gods…You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Lk 16:13).
On a deeper level, however, Jesus uses the word mammon to take the parable a step further. Mammon has a comprehensive, worldly meaning as valid today as it was back then. Mammon includes more than just money. It includes the many things of this world that produce a sense of security—not only our material wealth, but also our status, our power, our control. Thus, on a deeper level, the implication of the parable is that, if we take our eyes off Jesus, we risk turning anything into a god. This is why he urges us to be clever with dishonest wealth. We must be on guard not only with our money, but with all the things of this world.
The question for us today, then, is how to use the things of this world in a spiritually wise manner? Which master do we serve? This is a question each of us must answer. Whichever one we choose, Jesus shows us through his life and mission that our calling is to serve the God of love, mercy, and justice (Lk 6:36). To that end, the prophet Isaiah urges us not to turn our backs on those in need (Is 58:7-10).
There is a passage in the first letter of Timothy that makes this point in a very clear and powerful manner. Timothy says in his letter: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant or put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” For Timothy, this is how we prepare ourselves to take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Tim 6:17-19). Timothy encourages us to grow rich with good deeds done, if for no other reason, than as a show of gratitude for what God has done for each of us.
Timothy’s advice reminds us that Jesus called the people of his day—as much as he calls us—to follow the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of the world (1 Cor 2:4-6). Doing so is a matter of living in a vibrant, dynamic, trusting relationship with God. Such a way of life gives mercy and compassion priority over ritual and custom as a guide for the right road. The stories of Jesus always point to the God of Love as the master to serve.
And, because Jesus loves us, he allows us to choose our own response, hoping we will choose wisely.
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