The Unjust Steward

[Guest]

I know we've had many discussions about "earning" our way to heaven.  While that idea has been refuted, there is still something to be said about our motivations for rewards and security.

Luke 16:1-8 is the parable of the unjust steward.

What is it that the Lord is actually saying here?  The message I see is that we're supposed to be as "greedy" for our salvation as worldly people are for mammon.  What does that say about what motives we should have?

Thoughts?

[Midwest LDS]

This particular parable has always been intriguing to me. My interpretation is that the unjust steward knew what was coming, and made extensive preparations to take care of himself when that day arrived. Similarly, we as saints know what's coming (death and final judgement) so like the unjust steward prepares for the inevitable loss of his job by doing everything he can now to prepare for that day, so we should prepare now to be taken care of when death comes,(by having faith in Jesus Christ, following His commandments, and repenting of our sins), rather than waiting until it's too late to prepare.

[zil]

fwiw: https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-the-gospel-according-to-st-luke/chapter-18-luke-15-17?lang=eng

Quote

Elder James E. Talmage explained:

“It was not the steward’s dishonesty that was extolled; his prudence and foresight were commended, however; for while he misapplied his master’s substance, he gave relief to the debtors; and in so doing he did not exceed his legal powers, for he was still steward though he was morally guilty of malfeasance [wrongdoing]. The lesson may be summed up in this wise: … Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor! If you have not learned wisdom and prudence in the use of ‘unrighteous mammon,’ how can you be trusted with the more enduring riches?” (Jesus the Christ, 464).

 

[mordorbund]

I think @Carborendum asks a great question: What then of the motivation? It sounds like Jesus was advocating a fear-based teaching methodology. I thought that was bad (or perhaps the poorest motivation for gospel obedience)?

[zil]

25 minutes ago, mordorbund said:

I think @Carborendum asks a great question: What then of the motivation? It sounds like Jesus was advocating a fear-based teaching methodology. I thought that was bad (or perhaps the poorest motivation for gospel obedience)?

Perhaps it's more of a "Holy crap! What was I thinking?" based methodology.   Sort of, "Oh no, I've been playing fast and loose and now I've just been bluntly reminded of that and of the consequences, so I'd better get my act together before it's too late to change those consequences."

[wenglund]

On 12/15/2017 at 6:53 AM, Carborendum said:

I know we've had many discussions about "earning" our way to heaven.  While that idea has been refuted, there is still something to be said about our motivations for rewards and security.

Luke 16:1-8 is the parable of the unjust steward.

What is it that the Lord is actually saying here?  The message I see is that we're supposed to be as "greedy" for our salvation as worldly people are for mammon.  What does that say about what motives we should have?

Thoughts?

Excellent question.

I could be way wrong, and while I like what Talmage said, what I gather from the parable are two things:

First, learn from the mistakes of others. Don't be like the unjust servant and squander your stewardship (another man's unrighteous mammon),  because that would render you unworthy of gaining your own "true riches." Instead, be faithful in your stewardship. For, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?"

Second, learn from the wise choices of others. Be like the unjust servant and recognize that, in the eternal scheme of things, relationships are more important than things, and that acts of mercy and kindness are excellent way to build relationships. For, "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail [in the mammon of unrighteousness], they [your firends] may receive you into everlasting habitations."

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[zil]

7 hours ago, wenglund said:

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...

Huh.  Seems like this is a pretty common problem in today's world (in all realms, be it Church or work or whatever) - to think the little things don't matter, or that you're doing well if you're not committing any "major" sin or wrong; or that you're doing well enough if you just hit the "requirements" (e.g. of your job or calling) and don't put in any extra effort.  I think this would be a good lens through which to look at our reactions and decisions regarding "small" things.