Luke 16:2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

In luke 16:1-9, Jesus was contending with a group of Pharisees. He called them the stewards in the house who was not doing their duty. Therefore, when the master of the house investigates, ie indirectly referring to Jesus Christ, they would be cast out as unfaithful servants. The story could have ended there because the religious pharisees were serving two masters – money and God, and money would always prevail. The same issues is occurring in the mega churches where they handle large sums making money a potential god.

But there was a twist, because one of the steward was very smart by reducing the debt owed by the clients to the master, knowing the end was coming made preparations so that he would not die when we was casts out.

Jesus was being sarcastic in telling the Pharisees who were supposedly the stewards of the temple and religious faith but not very smart, because even if money was their gods they should have known the times and what was going to happen and made arrangements so that they could survive when kicked out. If you know that Jesus Christ, the master of the House is coming back soon, and you will be cast out to hell because of unfaithfulness, at least you quickly prepare or reduce your debts that you suffer less.

Luke 16: 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.  9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

Jesus Christ was saying the the Pharisees was not wise because one day they wouldn’t have any money and when the master comes back in judgement, they would be in hell where all their money would be useless. Can money give them an everlasting home? Yes, on earth, but not eternity.

The steward didn’t make light of judgement. There are those who say that a loving God wouldn’t throw them out of the house. Why didn’t the Master of the House forgive the steward. But the steward knew he had sinned, and the punishment for sin was banishment. He couldn’t answer in the court of judgement.

If the Pharisees had believed who was standing in front of them which is God incarnate, they would have been much wiser. Are you wise knowing the times and seasons and preparing for the coming of the Master for judgement is coming. Some don’t even believe in judgement like the pharisees who thought that their religious ceremonies would save them whilst they rejected the Messiah.

Others believe that God is love and a loving God wouldn’t send judgement and destruction upon the world. They want to build their kindom on earth with love and not Jesus as the centre. But God will come again to judge and destroy the world that we know for a new kingdom. Are you prepared!

The smart steward made a deal with all the debtors of the master. The irony here is about debt. We are all sinners and in debt. The smart steward can only forgive debt partially such as the yearly Jewish sacrificial rituals that had been done. But only Jesus can forgive all our debts fully. The steward is smart but ultimately, the smartest is the humble who know their debt, their haplessness, and that they will be judged, cast out, and the only way their debt is fully forgiven by God’s grace and mercy. The steward was smart, but the smartest wiuld be those who realised they can’t help themselves.