Luke 16:1-13

Meditatio (Reflecting)

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.

Oratio (Responding)

The parable of the dishonest steward is one that has always really caused me anxiety, because it is really hard to understand. The response of the master is totally illogical, and Jesus saying “Make friends with dishonest wealth,” that is almost antithetical to all of His other teachings. So how do we understand this?

In reading about the passage, I have heard some scholars say that the steward was giving the people back his profit of the debt. That is how stewards made money, by adding a tax onto the top of what the subject already owed the master. Some stewards charged more than others, and maybe here he is just giving that tax back in order to make friends with the kings subjects so that he will not be cast out of the town when he loses his position of power. This logically makes sense, but I have read other eminent scholars say specifically that this is not true, that the master was truly commending him for being prudent through misusing the masters property. Essentially doing a bad thing for good reasons.

But I cant think of a single human master that would be okay with this. But what if that master is God, and the steward is misusing the gifts and graces of god, to do a good thing by helping his subjects and making friends at the same time? Then I guess that makes sense that god could commend that. Essentially, this the steward might be making the first step towards redeeming himself. He is still doing dishonest things, but he is at least doing them for a good reason this time… “Baby steps…”

But do not be confused…, the catholic church clearly teaches that you can never do a bad thing for good reasons. In this parable the steward is being commended for prudence, and maybe Jesus is saying that while doing a good thing for bad reasons, is not good, it is better than doing a bad thing for bad reasons.

I should like to meet this man if he ever made it to heaven, and get the full story. Let us all strive, for good reasons, to do good, not bad things, even if it is really hard, because that is what Jesus is really calling us to do.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Oh lord, help me today to do good for good reasons, to love you and keep you in mind at all times, and in all things. Amen.