Luke 16:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What compares to such stewardship when a person, parting with fleeting and temporary possessions, secures everlasting and immutable treasures, all while experiencing peace during their earthly journey?

Now, let us examine what has been directed of you and how you are to fulfill these duties. Feed the hungry, provide clothing for the naked, assist the afflicted, and do not look down upon the downtrodden left at the crossroads; avoid worrying about your own future or how you will sustain yourself. Yet, rather than committing to these noble actions, we often live in a manner that is unconscionable: we disregard the less fortunate and the needy, trivializing those who suffer misfortune. We waste resources on vanity, entertaining a multitude of insincere flatterers, while turning away the truly unfortunate. We squander our wealth on vain pursuits and frivolous spectacles; we spare no expense for extravagant displays, all while our own needs languish. It is bewildering and almost maddening to observe: where expenditure could yield infinite benefits and eternal salvation, we hoard our silver tightly, ensuring that even the smallest coins do not slip from our grasp; conversely, where spending leads to sin and potential punishment, our ambition drives us to give generously, letting our wealth flow freely.

This does not reflect the mindset of faithful servants awaiting their Master, but rather resembles that of reckless youths engaging in unchecked revelry. If, dear listener, you desire to witness the reverence due to a ruler who judiciously manages his entrusted resources, consider the psalm of David, where he beseeches God, asking, "Tell me, O Lord, my end and the number of my days" (Psalm 38:5).... [Text here is cut off]. Reflect on the lesson of the unjust householder and the understanding that nothing truly belongs to us.

Yet, when we act as unfaithful stewards, unjustly hoarding for ourselves what rightfully belongs to others, we should not persist in this callousness, but instead, we must provide for the poor, so that they may welcome us into eternal dwellings. In interpreting this parable, one will find no unnecessary embellishments, pretensions, or ridicule in the explanation.

Parables provide indirect and figurative insights for our edification if we reflect on their broader meanings. We should not delve too intricately into every aspect of a parable, lest we tire even the most attentive listeners with excessive inquiries and verbosity. For instance, if someone attempts to debate who is represented by the steward who was accused or who indeed made the accusation; or who those in debt are, and the significance of one being indebted for oil while another for wheat, such an analysis may obscure the true reasoning and prove superfluous.

Not all elements of the parable are essential for comprehending its intended message. They serve to craft a metaphor of considerable significance, imparting a lesson for the benefit of those who listen. The overarching message of the parable can be summarized as follows: "The God of all wishes for all humanity to be saved and come to know the truth." For this reason, "He also gave the law to aid us," as stated by the prophet. Here, the law refers not merely to what was delivered by Moses but to all inspired Scripture, guiding us on the path toward goodness and salvation. Therefore, the Lord expects us to be steadfast in our pursuits of virtue and to align our intentions with a more righteous and holy life, liberating ourselves from worldly distractions, the love of wealth, and the pleasures it may bring, thus serving Him continuously with undivided hearts. As conveyed through the psalmist, He declares, "Be still and know that I am God." Moreover, the Savior teaches those with earthly possessions, "Sell your goods and give to the poor; create for yourselves wallets that do not wear out: an everlasting treasure, unfading in heaven." This command is indeed for our salvation, yet human nature tends to be frail; individuals often cling to earthly pleasures and resist detaching themselves from material wealth. They take pride in empty accolades, are comforted by flattery, yearn for grand displays, and seem to value nothing above fleeting honor. Recognizing this, the Savior remarked, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" He went on to say, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." While living in abundance, people often neglect piety before God, as riches can lead to contemptibility and instill desires for excess among their possessors.

Is there no path to salvation for the affluent, no possibility for them to partake in the hopes of the saints? Are they entirely excluded from God's grace, destined for hell as prepared for the devil and his angels? Certainly not. The Savior provided them with a means of salvation through this parable. By the grace of Almighty God, they have been entrusted with earthly possessions; by divine design, they are called to be stewards of the needy. However, they mismanage their stewardship, squandering what has been entrusted to them by the Lord on personal pleasures and ephemeral honors, neglecting to remember God, who commands, "Open your hand to your brother, to the needy." Indeed, Christ Himself instructs, "Be merciful, as your Father in heaven is merciful." Yet, as noted, many show no mercy to their neighbors, only indulging their own pride. This pride serves as their accusation before the Lord. As death draws near, they must relinquish their stewardship and detach from earthly affairs, for no one can escape the net of death. What, then, does Christ desire for them? While still here on earth, if they are unwilling to share all their wealth with the poor, they should at least use part of it to secure friends and witnesses of their charity, especially those benefitted by their kindness, so that when their earthly fortunes depart, they may find a place among the righteous. For it is impossible that love for the needy should go unrewarded. Thus, whether one gives away all their belongings or only a portion, their soul will undoubtedly benefit. The act deserving of the saints, praiseworthy and crowned from above, is not to hoard earthly treasures but to distribute them to the less fortunate, gathering instead treasures in heaven—purses that do not wear out and a wealth that never diminishes. Following this, a wise strategy is to obtain as friends those nearest to God, by sharing a portion of their riches and providing comfort to those suffering from poverty.

The wise Paul similarly counsels those enamored with riches: "Let your surplus meet their needs, so that their surplus may likewise meet your needs." Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, if we are to be righteous, to keep our eyes fixed on what lies ahead, recalling the Scriptures that clearly state, "We shall all stand before the judgment of Christ, so that each may receive what is due for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad." If we tremble at the thought of a relentless and harsh fire, we must remember God, who commands us to practice charity toward our brothers, to share in the sufferings of the ill, to extend our hands to those in need, and to honor the saints, of whom Christ asserts, "Whoever receives you receives me; and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." The Savior teaches us that charitable deeds towards our brethren are not without profit; He declares, "Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones will not lose their reward." For the Savior of all is generous in His giving; to Him and with Him be glory and power to God the Father, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Indeed, it was apparent to them what was done for their benefit, and the steward was certain he would be remembered. Why is there no reference to any concealed dealings in this scenario? The core of the plan was that the steward intended to offer his master's debtors a notable advantage by reducing their debts—one by fifty units and the other by twenty from a hundred—so that they would welcome him into their homes out of appreciation. What is the significance of the different amounts, why fifty for one and twenty for another, and whether there were more than just two debtors—these specifics are inconsequential to the message of the parable. It was merely meant to illustrate that the steward had successfully accomplished his goal: he secured his position for the future.

Likewise, those eager to be heirs of the kingdom were encouraged to proactively transfer their resources into the rightful hands—specifically, to the impoverished, through whom the Lord Himself accepts their offerings. They were not to retain their wealth within the realm of the world to which they had once belonged. This act does not signify unfaithfulness to the one who entrusted them with a portion of His riches, nor to the worldly domain these treasures are part of; rather, it reflects a commitment to the true Sovereign and Master upon whom the entirety of the world and its wealth relies. By demonstrating such fidelity in managing the possessions entrusted to them, they can gain the Lord's confidence to be entrusted with their own resources—the treasures of God's kingdom—ultimately receiving greater and more abundant blessings over time. To enter the kingdom of God necessitates leaving behind membership in the kingdom of the world; one cannot serve both God and wealth.

These supporters are understood to be the poor and the needy, whose charitable deeds grant them access to the eternal dwelling places.

The Gospels reflect the growing distress in Palestine, resulting from the financial oppression imposed by the Romans and Herod’s dynasty. In Christ’s dialogues, we frequently encounter references to debtors, creditors, and prison—a chaotic system that tragically impacted the agricultural Jewish populace. Necessities like oil and wheat were often borrowed from affluent families (Luke 16:6). Due to lack of resources, the common folk resorted to using pickaxes instead of plows for their fields. “What shall I do?” lamented the devastated landowner, “I cannot dig, I am ashamed to ask” (Luke 16:3). This illustrates the plight of the Jewish community under Roman dominion, which continued to worsen during the years of Christ's earthly ministry, ultimately culminating in a significant financial crisis that struck the entire empire five years after His crucifixion.