Today’s Gospel records the parable of the wasteful steward who, in order to be received favorably by his master’s debtors after he was justly dismissed from the role of steward, artificially lowered the amounts they owed to his master by having them write new promissory notes. Jesus ends the parable by saying: “And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.” I find this parable to be one of the most confusing in the Gospels, because on its face it seems like we are being taught to cheat others if it will work out better for us! This is, of course, not the case.
Two Approaches
To explain this confusing passage, I have seen two approaches. First, some commentators have claimed that stewards at that time typically charged a premium on top of their master’s debts to keep for themselves. In this understanding, the steward was simply removing his profit margin from the debt, which is why the master was not offended, but ‘commended him.’ Second, others explain that the commendation of the master was not to express pleasure at the action of the steward, but rather that he was impressed at the crafty plan of the steward to get out of his difficult situation. The steward used the means he had at his disposal to achieve the end he desired and in this sense (rather than the virtuous sense) he was ‘prudent.’
More Prudent in Dealing with their own Generation
Regardless of the way we wish to understand it, the point is clear: this steward used the means and power he had while he still had them to work towards the end he desired and achieved it. How many people in their worldly interactions are excellent examples of this spirit? Startups work long hours, because they know their window for success is short and they are in a race with other companies. Athletes train hard with the time they have because game day is just around the corner. Large companies develop 1, 3, 5 and 10 year plans that are reviewed quarterly because they know that without a clear vision they will waste time and fall behind.
Yet, how many of us apply this mindset to Christ-centered goals or the spiritual life? We all know that we have received gifts, some material and some spiritual, from God in this life. We all know that we are going to die and lose the power to use these gifts. Are we working to ensure that we are using our gifts (time among the greatest of them) well? That we will be well received by the angels and the saints in the life to come? Or are we acting ‘imprudently’ by forgetting our goal and wasting our gifts while they are under our control? Jesus clearly states that this is the case for many Christians. “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.” Put another way: worldly people are more effective in using their gifts to their ends during their life, than spiritual people are in pursuing heaven or good deeds during this life.
As we begin the month of November, the month the Church especially prays for the dead and we are reminded often of our own mortality, let us take stock of how we are using our gifts and seek to use them to their fullest extent for the glory of God and the salvation of souls!
