25 Sunday Year C

25th Sunday Year C

Prudence & Faithfulness

Prudence

New Testament 16:1–13. The Parable of the Dishonest Steward

Anyone of us would go to the greatest lengths, no matter how unsavory, to ensure a secure place in this world; how much more should we devote our attention to the world to come (v. 8).

St. Augustine: Why did the Lord set this before us? It is not because that servant cheated but because he exercised foresight for the future.

The steward is indeed dishonest, but he is commended for acting prudently.

Gadenz, P. T. (2018). The Gospel of Luke. (P. S. Williamson & M. Healy, Eds.) (p. 282). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.

St. Augustine: Why did the Lord set this before us? It is not because that servant cheated but because he exercised foresight for the future.

Oden, T. C., & Crosby, C. (Eds.). (2009). Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings: Lectionary Cycle C (p. 220). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books.

If the dishonest steward of the master (kyrios), when asked to give an account (16:2), is prudent enough to plan his earthly future so as to receive a welcome in people’s homes (v. 4), how much more ought “the faithful and prudent steward” of “the Lord” (kyrios, 12:42), who will have to give an account to God (; ), prudently plan for a heavenly future so as to be welcomed into eternal dwellings? Unfortunately, Jesus points out, the children of this world (or “age,” ) are more prudent in practice than are the children of light. The parable thus instructs disciples to take initiative and plan wisely so as to enter God’s kingdom.

If the dishonest steward of the master (kyrios), when asked to give an account (16:2), is prudent enough to plan his earthly future so as to receive a welcome in people’s homes (v. 4), how much more ought “the faithful and prudent steward” of “the Lord” (kyrios, 12:42), who will have to give an account to God (; ), prudently plan for a heavenly future so as to be welcomed into eternal dwellings? Unfortunately, Jesus points out, the children of this world (or “age,” ) are more prudent in practice than are the children of light. The parable thus instructs disciples to take initiative and plan wisely so as to enter God’s kingdom.

Gadenz, P. T. (2018). The Gospel of Luke. (P. S. Williamson & M. Healy, Eds.) (p. 282). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.

“Plan Wisely” = “Faithfulness”

E.g. When we bought our first house, I think I was inclined to behave as if the family existed to maintain the house—to keep it clean and in good condition. Fortunately, my family never bought that idea. They helped me to see that the house is supposed to serve the needs of the family. It's a good lesson. Things are to serve people; not people, things. (The Preacher’s Commentary)

Faithfulness

16:10–13 The emphasis now shifts from being prudent to being “faithful” (12:42) (i.e., trustworthy, pistos)—thus unlike the dishonest steward—beginning in small matters and then in great ones (see 19:17). These verses explain how God expects disciples to use wealth (“mammon”) so as to receive a true reward in heaven. The parallelism between verse 11 and verse 12 (if you are not trustworthy with …) suggests that one’s wealth really belongs to another—namely, God. By treating it as one’s own, one ends up trusting in it rather than in God.

Gadenz, P. T. (2018). The Gospel of Luke. (P. S. Williamson & M. Healy, Eds.) (pp. 282–283). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.

Faithfulness in the use of wealth

Someone has said, "Money is foreign currency to the person whose citizenship is in heaven." The real question is: do you own your money, or does it own you?

E.g. When we bought our first house, I think I was inclined to behave as if the family existed to maintain the house—to keep it clean and in good condition. Fortunately, my family never bought that idea. They helped me to see that the house is supposed to serve the needs of the family. It's a good lesson. Things are to serve people; not people, things. (The Preacher’s Commentary)

Our Blessed Lord says today, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” ().

In verses 10 and 11 the lesson IS that the way of fulfilling a small task is the best proof of fitness or unfitness to be entrusted with a bigger task. That is clearly true of earthly things. No one will be advanced to higher office until they have given proof of their honesty and ability in a smaller position. But Jesus extends the principle to eternity. He says, 'Upon earth you are in charge of things which are not really yours. You cannot take them with you when you die. They are only lent to you. You are only a steward over them. They cannot, in the nature of things, be permanently yours. On the other hand, in heaven you will get what is really and eternally yours. And what you get in heaven depends on how you use the things of earth. What you will be given as your very own will depend on how you use the things of which you are only steward. ' (Barclay’s Study Bible)

Faithfulness  in small things

Our Blessed Lord says today, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” ().

A priest saw a person fast conversion (2 years). The man was very intentional about the little things: smiling, paying attention to you when you were talking to him, stopping to reflect and pray, looking around to see if there’s someone to help, being polite and encouraging, and going out of his way to forgive.  It’s amazing: these little things can skyrocket us in our relationship with God.

“Successful people are always disciplined, every saint was disciplined.”

John Wooden is considered by many to be the best coach in all of sport.  He once said, “The closest I can come to one secret of success is this: a lot of little things done well”

Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards.  Its premise is this: most marriages over time get colder, affection wanes, disagreements are regular, communication is bad.  They’re not, as Dr. Ray puts it, seriously disturbed, but could use some new life.  By practicing ten small habits, couples reap massive rewards.  Here’s some of the ten: Say, “I’m sorry”; don’t say hurtful things even when we’re mad; listen when you feel like talking; and never mention the word, “divorce” even when we don’t mean it or when we just use to hurt our spouse; use your manners.

Conclusion

In this coming week, let us strive to use things to serve people, not using people for things. And let us strive to be lovingly serving people by being attentive to little things.