A Parable of Dishonesty

Daily Gospel: Luke 16:1-8

Then he also said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

Reflection: A Parable of Dishonesty

In St. Luke's Gospel, we encounter a parable that might seem to endorse dishonesty. However, a deeper reflection reveals a message about stewardship, accountability, and the importance of using worldly resources wisely.

The Gospel today presents a story about a dishonest manager who, facing dismissal, cleverly manipulates his master's debtors to secure future favour. Jesus uses this parable to teach a profound spiritual lesson.

The manager, despite his dishonesty, is a steward of his master's resources. This only means everyone is accountable for what they have been given, whether it's material possessions, talents, or opportunities.

Jesus commends the manager's judgement, not his dishonesty. This emphasizes the importance of using worldly wisdom to secure eternal rewards.

The ultimate goal is not to amass earthly wealth here on earth but to gain heavenly treasures. The manager's actions, though morally questionable, serve as a cautionary tale about the need to prioritize spiritual values over material ones.

The parable highlights the idea that we will be held accountable for how we use our resources. This includes not only material possessions but also our time and talent.

While the parable of the dishonest manager may seem confound, it offers valuable insights into the nature of responsible stewardship, to use our resources wisely and to recognise that they are ultimately from God. We are being reminded to be mindful of our actions and its consequences, both in this life and the next. Lastly, the pursuit of eternal rewards, for us to prioritise spiritual wealth over material gain. By understanding the deeper meaning of this parable, we can strive to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.