Lessons From The Parable Of The Unjust Steward
Lessons From The Parable Of The Unjust Steward
The Parable of the Unjust Steward is hard to understand, but there’s a lot to learn when we examine it closely. Find out how the unjust steward can help you manage your ministry’s finances.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
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.
Luke 16:8 NKJV
The parable of the unjust steward is about a man caught mishandling his employer’s money. To prepare for his impending unemployment, he settled his master’s debts for a fraction of the amount due to make friends he hoped would support him after he lost his job.
Jesus’ evaluation of the dishonest bookkeeper was essentially “You may be a thief, but you’re smart. My disciples should be just as clever and strategic.”
This is a tough parable because Jesus commended a dishonest man. But He’s not praising the dishonesty, He’s praising the clever, astute mindset of a man preparing for his future reckoning.
Reflection Question
Read the entire Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13), and ask God what He wants you to see from the story today.
What We Can Learn From The Unjust Steward?
As businesswomen, we must also be shrewd with our bookkeeping. This means carefully evaluating our resources, handling our assets righteously, consistent accounting, and planning for the future health of our ministry.
Accounting is confusing at best, and impossible for some. Thank God for bookkeepers like Rebecca Hurt and financial literacy advocates like Talin Perez! Their joint presentation ”Books Worth Keeping & 3 rules of Money” is full of practical information to help you manage your ministry’s finances wisely.
Reflection Question
How long has it been since you evaluated your resources? Ask God to show you a strength to grow upon and a weakness to work on.
What is a Shrewd Steward?
God gave each of us unique gifts to use for His glory, but He never promised ministry would be easy. He made me to serve with words, not numbers. God uses financial experts not only to help us learn, but also as ministers to carry our bookkeeping burdens for us. A shrewd businesswoman is also wise enough to know her limits. Diligent accountants use their Kingdom gifts so missionaries, writers, and speakers can use theirs.
Reflection Question
Which part of your financials is most challenging for you? Prayerfully consider what resource can help you learn or take the burden off of you.
Passionate Stewardship
We see modern-day corrupt stewards all around us. For example, Bernie Madoff stole billions of dollars from investors over two decades. Just imagine the risk, creativity, work-ethic and zeal, all in pursuit of money. And imagine what he could have done if he’d used his passion and genius for good.
Kingdom workers need to pursue Heaven’s riches with the same diligence and determination as Madoff did for money. This is the message of the parable of the dishonest manager.
Reflection Question
Where can you be more shrewd with your ministry’s finances?
Next Steps
Watch the Webinar
Rebecca Hurt & Talin Perez: Books Worth Keeping & 3 rules of Money
Read The Partner Post
Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.
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Valerie Riese
Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
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