The Parables of Jesus - The Unfaithful Manager

Introduction

As we continue with the parables about how to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God here on earth, Jesus invites us to think about something that is important for us, His Church, today: the integrity of our hearts in our faithfulness to serve the Lord.

The parable of the unfaithful manager describes the relationship between a master and his servant through the example of a rich man, who had material possessions and certainly also land and property, and a manager, or what we would probably call an estate manager today.

His role was to be a faithful intermediary, responsible for taking care of his master’s possessions and making them productive, because the position of a manager also involved managing resources and financial transactions.

We will see that, again, Jesus uses a concrete reality from everyday life to teach us a reality about the Kingdom of God.

However, there is one idea that comes up repeatedly, and we will see it throughout this passage: the idea of serving a master, and serving him with integrity and loyalty. Because a wrong way of serving can damage the reputation and the image of the master.

Money is used as an example in this parable, but money is not the main problem. The real issue is the heart that is attached to it, even when we are simply trying to survive in life.

As disciples and servants of the Most High God and of Christ, faithfulness must be demonstrated in the small things, in the things that are not visible, and despite the circumstances of life.

For the Lord may, at the right time and according to His will, entrust us with greater responsibilities if we remain faithful, stay on the right path, and keep our hearts pure. He may give us greater things to accomplish so that His Kingdom may be extended and He may be glorified.

Teaching

Reading Luke 16:1-13

"He also said to the disciples," v.1a

Here, Luke tells us that Jesus is speaking directly to His disciples, immediately after confronting the Pharisees and the scribes in the previous parables.

Here, Jesus returns to teaching. The Master is speaking to His servants so that they will understand the level of devotion and integrity they must have in order to serve Him.

This is a profound call, and it will certainly make them question themselves, because Jesus loves them and knows that if someone desires to follow Him and serve Him, there is a way in which that person must do it.

It must not be according to the standards and values that the world teaches or allows in order to achieve its goals. Instead, they must separate themselves from these ways and do the will of God, keeping themselves unstained and not stumbling on the narrow path that leads to life.

So let us look at this parable step by step in order to understand its depth, so that the Holy Spirit may speak to our hearts, transforming us from one degree of glory to another, and enabling us to serve our Lord in a way that is worthy and faithful, according to His Word and His will.

The Master and His Servant

“There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’" v.1b–2 (ESV)

If we place this parable within the flow of the introduction and read it from a comparative perspective, this rich man could remind us of the relationship between Jesus Himself and His disciples, and then we can make a general application to all those who will believe in Him and serve Him.

The Master was informed about the attitude of His manager by a third person who reported him. Why was the manager reported to his Master?

Perhaps it was because of poor management of his possessions, bad decisions, or financial losses. We do not know.

However, his actions were certainly contrary to what the Master must have expected from him. Or perhaps they had created, as a testimony among the people around him, a bad reputation for his Master before the world. In other words, sinned agains't the master.

Yes, the manager probably had a great amount of responsibility. He was managing a large number of possessions, and therefore he was supposed to make everything productive so that his Master would be honored and glorified through his actions.

But the relationship between the rich man and the manager ends in separation as a consequence of this attitude toward his master. We are not told exactly what kind of wrongdoing or losses were involved, but it was certainly something serious enough to be reported and for the master to decide to end his position as manager.

But we are going to see that the manager is going to take a direction that does not reflect the heart of someone who is fundamentally upright.

Faced with the situation before him, he begins to think about what he must do to secure his future. No matter what, no matter how.

The Heart Revealed in Difficulty

"And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’" v.3-4 (ESV)

When Luke tells us that the manager said to himself, it means that his thoughts are beginning to appear, that his heart is beginning to produce thoughts. Yes, this reminds us that God tells us in His Word that thoughts come from the heart and that actions flow from them.

Jesus Himself tells us: “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” — Mark 7:21-23, and the book of Proverbs reminds us: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” — Proverbs 4:23

So, whether the heart is according to God or against God will be reflected in our actions.

So, what kind of heart does this manager have?

From what we can read, his heart produces thoughts that are quite far from what an honest and courageous man would have. He does not want to work the land, or at least he considers that he cannot, because this work seems too difficult and demanding to him.

This also reminds us that the Lord asks us to work honestly so that we can provide for our needs and not live at the expense of others.

Paul says: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” — Ephesians 4:28

And then there is this idea of begging. Yes, because begging is shameful for his image. The manager considers himself far too “important” to appear before the world as a miserable beggar.

As the passage unfolds, we see that the easiest and most twisted solution comes to him almost as an obvious answer. And this reveals something about the condition of his heart.

Because being in an urgent situation does not mean that we should use questionable means to achieve our goals.

What is interesting to see in this passage is that, in the way the manager thinks, he does not intend to act suddenly. Instead, he will let his employment come to an end before carrying out his plan, almost as if he really wants to keep some appearance of proper conduct toward his master.

But once again, this reflects compromise and a corrupt attitude toward integrity. It reveals a heart and a conscience that are not pure before his master and those around him.

So, it is certain that this man does not want to do anything that would harm himself, but he is willing to harm others in order to achieve his goals.

He will go to people and try to win them over in order to gain an immediate benefit without effort, while still being involved in a questionable and dishonest transaction.

So here we see the cunning character of the manager, rather than the character of a man with an upright heart. His reasoning is completely focused on his own security and his own future.

Now let us see how he will put his thoughts into practice and reveal them through his actions in the next passage. 

Integrity in Our Actions

"So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’" v.5–7 (ESV)

Once the manager has finally finished developing a plan, an urgent and effective strategy in response to his new situation, he takes action.

Perhaps he is trying to find a way out? But nothing should justify manipulation or behavior contrary to integrity, even when we are seeking financial gain.

Integrity must be demonstrated in every kind of situation, both in good times and in bad times.

The manager does not go to people he does not know. He goes to people whom his master knows, certainly “clients” who had dealt with the manager in a relationship of trust and familiarity.

In fact, these people may not have known about his new situation as someone who had been dismissed.

It is true that this may appear clever and cunning. However, the end does not justify the means. Using questionable methods to achieve our goals can never be justified.

That would mean that the money we obtain or the actions we take are the fruit of sin. Who could or would ever boast about that?

So, was this “reduction” made by removing his own commission or the master’s margin in order to recover something for himself? We do not know.

But the point here is not necessarily to know exactly how he went about trying to get himself out of the situation. The point is to see the way he acts in this situation.

This intermediary seems once again to use a scheme rather than a clear and transparent negotiation, showing a divided and dishonest heart, arranging things according to the situation for his own advantage.

Cleverness Must Remain Under Integrity

"The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light." v.8 (ESV)

The master here is certainly aware that the manager was cunning and skillful in the way he acted to prepare for his future.

However, it is not his dishonesty that the master praises, but his shrewdness and his ability to act according to the situation that was before him.

Shrewdness is also presented as a positive point in this parable by Jesus. This means that the management of the finances graciously given to us by God should be done well and used for the right things.

Jesus will also make a comparison between the children of this world, those who are without God, and the children of God who are living in this world.

He says that the people of this world are certainly shrewd and cunning, and that, when we see this, the children of God should take note of it, but without denying the strength that comes from this ability.

Is it clever? Yes. — Knowing how to manage and use the possessions entrusted to us? Yes. — But always in faithfulness and integrity.

In our context, this kind of cleverness can also be expressed in several practical ways, such as investing in the expansion of the Gospel throughout the world, supporting the local church, helping our brothers and sisters, providing biblical training, and doing everything that can strengthen the Kingdom of God so that Christ may save those whom the heavenly Father will draw to Himself through His Gospel of salvation.

Yes, this is exactly what is important, because wisdom in our service must never be separated from faithfulness and integrity.

Using Earthly Wealth for Eternal Purposes

"And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." v.9 (ESV)

When Jesus says to His disciples, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,” Jesus is obviously not asking them to seek the friendship of unrighteous people and participate in their practices.

Rather, He is asking them to show, through money that is used properly, the values of the Kingdom of God.

Through this parable, Jesus teaches us how to use the wealth of this world wisely, with a perspective that goes beyond this world, knowing that these things are temporary, while showing the unrighteous that our hope is in the eternal dwellings.

Jesus also shows us that the people of this world know how to manage their possessions, plan for their future, and use their resources wisely.

But what is really the purpose of all their actions? — Is it for themselves, for their own glory, or for the glory of God?

We can therefore be among these people, do good to them, and show them, through the way we live, what it means to follow Christ with an upright heart, without adopting their ways.

We can use the wealth that is entrusted to us without ever allowing it to become our master.

And when Jesus says, “when it fails,” He reminds us that everything material will eventually disappear from our lives. — We may possess these things, use them, and even use them to do good around us, but we cannot take anything with us into heaven.

Our faith and our hope therefore cannot be placed in what is perishable, but in the One who entrusts these things to us for a time and who Himself remains forever.

Jesus also reminds us: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19–21

Because wherever our heart is, our thoughts will become attached to it, and our thoughts will give birth to our actions.

So the question is not only what we possess, but what we do with what we possess and where our heart truly is.

Jesus therefore does not teach us to pursue wealth for itself, but to use it faithfully for the glory of God, with eternal realities as our perspective.

Faithfulness in the Small Things 

"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?" v.10-12 (ESV)

Faithfulness is not measured by the amount of things we undertake or by the results that are visible to the eyes of others, but rather by the quality and integrity with which they are accomplished.

Often, in the world, only the visible part of our actions is taken into account and considered a kind of success, or as the consequence of the faithfulness and integrity that God recognizes.

But who can see the things done in secret, or the heart of each person? Only God.

So here, the comparison is easy to understand: the person who does small things, but does them with integrity and faithfulness in his service and in life, demonstrates a faithful heart and may, according to God’s will, be entrusted with greater responsibilities.

On the other hand, the person who has been unfaithful and dishonest in the small things will do the same in the greater things.

But all of this comes from the heart and from nothing else, because once again, what is undertaken is simply a direct consequence of the condition of the human heart.

The question, “Who will entrust to you the true riches?” is very interesting, because it means, all the more, why would God entrust us with the true riches of His Kingdom, which are spiritual and eternal?

If God sees our iniquity where no one else sees it, why would He entrust us with the true riches of His Kingdom?

This part of the passage once again reminds us of what Jesus tells us in the Parable of the Talents: the one who has been faithful will receive the reward, but the one who has not been faithful will have everything taken away and will be judged.

Faithfulness in the small things therefore reveals something much deeper: it reveals the heart of the servant and his attachment to his Master.

The final verse will now give this parable its full meaning.

One Master, One Heart

"No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." v.13 (ESV)

Jesus comes back with a clear sentence that summarizes the entire passage, telling His disciples that no one can serve two masters with two opposite affections in the heart.

If one is God and His Kingdom, and the other is Mammon, translated as “money” in the ESV, there is an inner conflict between our attachment to the world and its material and temporary values, and our attachment to the Kingdom of Heaven with its spiritual and eternal values.

This is why Paul reminds us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). 

The problem is not money itself, but the love of money—the attachment of our hearts to it, and the desire to find our security, our future, and our satisfaction in what belongs to this world, because of fear or a lack of faith in God, and the desire to have it for our own survival and our own interests.

Each person is free to examine his own conscience, but God wants all of us fully—our whole heart fully—if we desire God to use us.

As children of God, if we want to follow Jesus and be His disciples, we are called to detach ourselves from the world, because we live in the world but no longer belong to the world. 

As Jesus says: “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” — John 17:16

We are called to walk by faith and not by sight, and to hold on to God through His promises.

What God wants is for us to allow our hearts to be transformed by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit, and for us to love Him for who He is.

Everything belongs to God, and we will enjoy whatever He is pleased to give us, according to His grace and His will, when our only desire is to follow Him.

The author of the book of Hebrews says: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6

We therefore cannot serve God while gaining wealth through dishonesty and unfaithfulness, while sinning against God.

We can possess and manage things, and enjoy them with gratitude, but our hearts must belong entirely to God, and we must give Him thanks for all His blessings.

Because, at the heart of the matter, the real question of this parable is not:

“How much do we possess?” but: “Whom do we serve?”

Conclusion

To conclude my message, I will use Scripture, which is our final authority for life in this world:

As Jesus reminds us here: ”Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”  1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

And the Apostle Paul says the same: ” Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”  Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Let us ask the Lord to work through His Holy Spirit in us, so that we may serve Him as our Master with faithfulness and integrity, being faithful in what He has entrusted to us financially, professionally, and personally, as His living Church in this world.