Parable on the Unjust House-Steward.

(Luke 16:1-17).

This parable confuses many people — completely unnecessarily. Bishop Theophan the Recluse explains this excellently: “Every parable has a hidden meaning and explains the essence of some subject figuratively, although it is not analogous in all respects to the subject, which it is trying to explain. That’s why it is unnecessary to explain every part of the parable in minute detail.” Only the basic thought of a parable is important. In this parable, many are confused that the owner of the estate — which undoubtedly is understood to be God — commended his house-steward (who had been stood down from running the estate) for his fraud, having falsified his masters receipts in collusion with his debtors, so that they “may receive you” i.e. to obtain their support after losing his position. But the master didn’t praise his servant for his swindle as such, but for his resourcefulness that he had shown when finding himself in a disastrous situation. The meaning of the parable is that we are only temporary masters of earthly gifts, which are under our control purely because God entrusted them to us during our life on earth. Consequently, we must utilize these earthly blessings so that with their help, we will be secure in the forthcoming eternal life. We, however, often fail to do this — we do not display the sagacity that was shown by the unjust house-steward. That’s why the Lord stated that “the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” Besides, like the house-steward, we must “make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.”

Wealth is called “unrighteous mammon” because it is often secured unjustly, is often applied unjustly, often makes a person unjust toward others, and the concern for, or placing reliance upon it, is never justified. Consequently, the only wise usage of riches is to assist the needy, to direct them toward all types of benevolent works, so as to make them a means of securing the Heavenly Kingdom. After all, we are going to lose the riches one way or another — we will not be able to take them with us — while the good deeds that we had performed with its help, will always remain with us and will serve as our justification before God’s Final Judgment.

In conclusion, God states: “He who is faithful in what is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” i.e. if you were untrustworthy with earthly riches, were unable to manage them as you should have for the benefit of your soul, then how can you be trusted with spiritual riches, the riches of blessed gifts?

In response, the covetous Pharisees began to laugh at the Lord, seemingly unwilling to admit that lust for earthly riches, can impede the acquisition of spiritual gifts. In censuring them, the Lord delivered a whole parable on the misuse of riches — about the rich man and Lazarus.