-THE PEREAN MINISTRY

-The Parable of the Unjust Steward and the Pharisees’ Reaction

-Luke 16:1-18

 -In this parable, the “...master commended the dishonest steward for his prudence.  These are

 strange and difficult words, for they are spoken of a man who was a fraud, a trickster and a

 thief” (Lightfoot, pg 125).

            -For this reason, many have wrestled with this particular parable.

-It is important to realize that Jesus is not commending nor condoning the unjust servant’s

 actions.  It is the worldly master within the parable that commends the dishonest man.

-The key to properly understanding the point of this parable is verse 8.

            -Jesus was teaching “...that children of the world, those whose hopes are centered in material

             goods, have more energy and foresight in the exercise of their material concerns than

             Christians have in the practice of Christianity” (Lightfoot, pg 127).

            -“That is to say, the steward, a worldly-minded rascal, knew better how to deal with a

             worldly-minded master above him and dishonest tenants beneath him, than a son of light

             knows how to deal with the God over him and his needy brethren about him”

             (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 508).

            -Jesus is instructing His disciples to use prudence in their Christian lives.

-“He here teaches that his disciples should make such a use of their possessions as to secure

 heavenly treasures and gain friends, who, having gone before, would welcome them in the world

 to come to everlasting habitations” (Boles, 1974, pg 287).

            -Unfortunately, many would/will forfeit the treasures of heaven for the temporary gain of

             earthly possessions.  “You cannot serve both God and Money” (vs 13, NIV).

-The Pharisees, being lovers of money, “derided Jesus” (KJV), “were scoffing at Him” (NASB),

  “were sneering at Jesus” (NIV).

            -In their outward appearance, these men tried to appear righteous to their fellow man. 

              However, inwardly they were an abomination to God.

-These men claimed to be righteous in accordance with the Law.  However, they consistently

  violated the Law and followed their own traditions instead. 

-Jesus pointed out that a change was taking place.  A new covenant was being introduced and

 entered into.  John first introduced it.  Jesus was now proclaiming it and His disciples would

 continue in His message.

            -However, Jesus was not discarding the Law.  He was not violating it or ignoring it.  Instead,

             He was fulfilling it.

            -These Jewish leaders would be held accountable for their violations while living under the

             Law.

            -On this occasion Jesus brought up the topic of marriage, an area in which he Pharisees were

              commonly in violation.