Cover Your Tracks

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This parable is a reminder that even those “in the house” shall not escape the judgment of God. Sometimes we assume that because we’re children of God and stewards in His house, we are exempt from judgment. But in this parable we see the certainty of judgment even for stewards.

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Every believer will be required by God to give an account even their “words.” How have we used our words? What kind of steward have we been with our words, our money, our time and our talents?

Not only did the steward recognize the certainty of his judgment, but he also recognized the possibility that he might fail and lose his stewardship.

Have we ever considered this as a possibility?Now, before we dismiss this idea as a lack of faith, let us consider the fact that Jesus seems to support this same possibility.

Here Jesus gives us some advice. Don’t be highminded. Make sure you have a “habitation” (covering) in case you fail!

Too many are trusting in their wealth, or in their position. But none of these things will save us in the time of judgment. In the time of judgment, God will be examining our fruit, not our blood ().

In the day of judgment God will be examining our fruit, not our blood.

what you can do to “cover” yourself in case you fail!

What will we do when judgment comes?

As I said, this steward understood that he had not been particularly faithful with his master’s goods. In fact, he knew that as things stood he would lose his position as steward.

The steward anticipated the possibility that he could fail the judgment of his master if he relied solely on his merits. Jesus seems to support this same possibility ().

Some men are trusting in their wealth. Some are trusting in their health. And some are even trusting in their birth. But none of these things will save us in the day of judgment. In that day God will be examining our fruit, and not our blood. The steward anticipated the possibility that he could fail the judgment of his master if he relied solely on his merits. Jesus seems to support this same possibility ().

So, what can we do IF we fail (the grace of God)? Where can we turn? Jesus tells us what to do. “Make friends of the unrighteous mammon.”

Mammon refers to wealth or riches. Jesus calls it the “mammon of iniquity” because to trust in it for security brings iniquity (corruption).

Jesus tells us to take this mammon of iniquity and “make friends with it.” This is what the unjust steward did. Rather than use mammon to make enemies, he used it to make friends. And by making friends with the mammon of iniquity, he was able to deliver himself from judgment.

This is what the unjust steward did. Rather than use mammon to make enemies, he used it to make friends. By making friends he was able to deliver himself from judgment.

We could say that he used mammon to cover his tracks! When we “cover our tracks” we are trying to hide the evidence of something bad we have done.

According to scripture, there are various things we can do that will cover our tracks.

With Our Love (Hospitality)

The word “cover” means to atone for or forgive. More specifically, they were commanded to use ‘hospitality’ (). Hospitality can be very demanding and tiring. However, if it is to be done to cover one’s tracks (sins), then it must be done in love and without complaint (). Notice how this woman’s hospitality was done with great humility (tears) and affection (kissing)! As a result, her sins were said to be forgiven.

With Our Words (Prayers)

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Rather than use our words to offend men and turn them from the truth, what if we used our words to mend people and turn them back to God!

When David asks God not to take away His Spirit he was in essence asking God not to remove him from his place of authority. In that day, only men in positions of authority (kings, rulers, priests, prophets) were anointed with God’s Spirit. Why would God keep him in his position when he used it for iniquity (adultery, murder)? David promises to use it for good ()

With our Wealth (Money)

Zacchaeus received salvation when he PROVED his repentance through his righteous act of generosity (, ).

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Righteousness is about being benevolent (verse 3), being diligent (verse 4), speaking right (verse 11), handling responsibility right being benevolent, diligent, honest, kind, and peaceful. Instead of using money and power to hurt and take advantage of people, how about using it to help and convert people?

What if we took the things that we have used for iniquity (words, money, power, intellect, talents, influence) and use them for good/to convert?

We can fail the grace of God many way: through our careless service, careless words, careless actions. Moreover, for these things we will brought into judgment (: ; , ).

Moreover, the steward discerned that there was a certainty to the judgment of his master. There was no doubt in his mind. Furthermore, since he also knew that there was no way for him to disprove the charges, he determined to do something different.

The steward is called “unjust” here, not because he squandered his master’s profits, but because he used (managed) money (debts) here in an unjust way. In other words, he was not seeking justice from his master’s creditors. He was seeking grace. Because he followed after and pursued grace rather than justice, he received grace. Some of us are seeking justice rather than grace not knowing that mercy rejoices in judgment.

The word “make” means to produce something new out of something that already exists.