Luke 16:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is stated that if you adhere to this teaching, the Lord will bestow honor upon you, but should you turn away from His commandments, you will face severe consequences. I find that such matters do not pertain to the self-governed or the self-sufficient; rather, these numerous and ongoing directives illustrate that humanity is under the authority of a mighty Sovereign, accountable to the divine law. Therefore, it is expected that one lives in accordance with the principles established by this divine governance.

The phrase “the sons of this age are more shrewd” seems to convey a distinct meaning that is neither obscure nor puzzling. “Sons of this age” refers to those who creatively manage earthly matters for their own benefit, while “sons of light” are those who, motivated by their love for God, should impart spiritual wealth to others. It is noted that individuals assigned the management of temporal affairs strive in every possible way to secure comfort for themselves after relinquishing their responsibilities. In contrast, the sons of light, entrusted with the administration of spiritual properties, appear to neglect considerations for their future state after their earthly tenure ends.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, while manifesting His splendor to the Jewish people and to all who placed their faith in Him, proclaimed: "I am the light of the world," and again, "I have come as a light into this world." He illuminates the minds of those who revere Him with divine wisdom, guiding them away from the darkness that leads astray, teaching them to pursue righteousness in every good deed and in all that aids humanity in leading a holy life. Thus, He desires us to embody kindness, be eager for fellowship, love one another, show mercy, and be rich in acts of charity. With great wisdom, He has presented this parable, which we aspire to explain clearly for those who seek understanding.

In everyday language, those who are shrewd in worldly matters are referred to as prudent, as they can differentiate between what is beneficial and what is detrimental. This is reflected in the Gospel, which states, "For the sons of this age are wiser than the sons of light in their generation." Their wisdom is limited to their management of earthly affairs, leading them to be termed unrighteous builders due to their cleverness in organizing their lives. Similarly, the serpents demonstrate wisdom as they construct their habitats and take measures to evade threats to their well-being.

The parable of the unjust steward, as recounted in Luke 16:1-9, presents a housekeeper who is brought to account by his master for his mismanagement. It is noteworthy that the Lord commends the shrewdness of this sinner’s steward; although he misused his previous blessings and deceitfully reduced debts, he earned praise for securing friendships and resources through means that were not his own. In contrast, Adam, by relying on his own actions, incurred burdens that did not belong to him, such as thorns and hardships. Therefore, he advises the children of Adam to use these fleeting possessions, which do not truly belong to them, to acquire what is genuinely theirs—eternal riches that endure beyond this life.

You raised a thought-provoking question from the Gospel of Luke: Who is this unjust steward that received commendation from the Lord (Luke 16:1ff.)? To understand the context and the reasoning behind it, I turned to the Gospel and discovered that when tax collectors and sinners approached the Savior to hear Him, the Pharisees and scribes grumbled, asking, "Why does He welcome sinners and eat with them?" (Luke 15:2).

The Lord commended the ruler of the unrighteous for his wise decision, leaving the interpretation to His listeners. If the master, who endured wrongdoing, recognized the steward of the unjust—one who facilitated his deliverance through an immoral act—then how much more will God, who faced injustice, acknowledge the steward of righteousness? True righteousness lies in sharing the excess with the needy. The children of this age are indeed more astute than the children of light in their dealings. The "children of this age" refers to those who are absorbed in this worldly life, while "children of light" designates those who have distanced themselves from worldly concerns.

For this reason the Lord commends him for his good deeds, and for the sake of salvation transformed the harshness of the law into the compassion of the gospel. One might wonder: Why is he referred to as an unjust builder, when he acted according to the law given by God? He was indeed an unjust builder—though he offered much, he failed to provide what was right to all; he believed in the Father yet persecuted the Son; he acknowledged God Almighty, yet rejected the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul, having transgressed the law, acted more wisely than those who were once children of light, for in adhering to the law, they forfeited their connection to Christ, the true light of God the Father.

Should an audacious thought arise, seeking validation and stating: If you do not create for yourself a perspective and do not contemplate matters, you are an unbeliever and uninformed. The response would be: You might also be deemed a fool, echoing the words of the divine Chrysostom, understanding that the fool regarded by this world appears wise, as the Apostle notes (See: 1 Cor. 3:18), and the Lord affirms, that the children of this age are more astute than the children of light in their generation. This is indeed true. Their ambitions lie in conquering others, amassing wealth, gaining wisdom, seeking glory, and exercising authority, and even if they fall short of these aspirations, expending their efforts in vain, they labor tirelessly.

The Lord commends the household of the unjust steward for his shrewdness. The steward did not make his dealings known to outsiders or even to the debtors; everything was handled discreetly, almost like one would approach a mathematical problem. The outcome, the investigation, and the case itself demonstrated how thoroughly everything had been planned. It can be inferred that the steward had already departed from the master's house and was welcomed into the homes of his debtors. The master might have suspected or inquired about the means by which this was achieved, and he praised the steward not for his dishonesty but for the skill with which he secured his future during such dire straits and managed his affairs in a way that left him unharmed. This is the crux of the parable! The additional details serve merely to maintain the narrative. As the Savior shares this story, he seems to focus only on the surface, eager to illuminate this essential point: "and how wise he is for doing it." It is important to understand that when it is said, "praise the Lord," it refers not to our Lord Savior but to the master, the affluent man. If one were to acknowledge that the Savior praised the unrighteous steward, one must also recognize that these words are introduced by the holy Evangelist. However, accepting this would disrupt the entire narrative; the subordinate story would lack resolution, and the phrase "for the sons of this age are more shrewd" and similar expressions would have to be attributed to the Evangelist. To attribute those words to the Savior would require the prefacing phrase "saying," for which there is no basis. Additionally, it is clear that the account from verses 1 to 13 flows seamlessly in a natural progression and should be regarded as coming from the Savior himself throughout. Thus, He states: "praise the Lord"; therefore, he spoke not of Himself but of the same individual whom he referred to as Lord in verse 3 and Master in verse 5. This clarification is vital for those who mistakenly attribute the phrase "praise the Lord" to the Savior, leading them to question how He could commend one who is unrighteous. It is not the Lord who offers praise but the Master.

At this juncture, the narrative transitions to interpretation, which is expressed in verse 9: "And I say unto you," indicating that this parable imparts a lesson. However, the Savior does not immediately dive into this interpretation but introduces a comparison between the wisdom of the sons of this age and the sons of light, brought forth by the commendation given to the steward: “for the sons of this age are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” Who then are these sons of this age, and how do they surpass the sons of light in wisdom? The "sons of this age" are those who live as if the age to come does not exist, focused solely on the temporal and earthly, as if they were to dwell here forever. They do not contemplate the heavenly paradise but seek to create it from worldly things. The Lord remarked about them: "The sons of this age marry" (cf. Luke 20:34), suggesting that their focus is limited to matters surrounding marriage. Another parable illustrates this as well: one who takes a wife, or buys a field, or tests the newly purchased oxen (cf. Luke 14:18-20); they engage in trade (cf. Matthew 22:5). Their treasures are set upon this earth; hence their hearts are here. They do not pursue "the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (cf. Matthew 6:33). They are lovers of this world, conforming to its standards (see: Romans 12:2) and walking according to its age (cf. Ephesians 2:2). They are not always wicked or outright hostile to God’s order. What sets them apart is that "the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches" have stifled their higher aspirations (cf. Matthew 13:22), and they live as though without God and without spirit (cf. Ephesians 2:12). Consequently, they become darkened in their understanding, hearts, and consciences (cf. Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Titus 1:15). This is why they stand in contrast to the sons of light. The "sons of light" are those who "believe in the light" (cf. John 12:36). This light is our Lord Jesus Christ, who enlightens everyone entering the world (cf. John 1:9). Through belief in the Lord, one transitions from the darkness of this age into the light (cf. Ephesians 6:12; Acts 26:18); as a result, they are transformed from a state of darkness into light in the Lord (cf. Ephesians 5:8). Hence, all who have faith and walk according to its tenets are designated as "sons of light and sons of the day" (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:5). The attributes of the sons of light are depicted in Scripture in numerous ways. In this context, it is particularly significant how, detached from earthly interests, they primarily seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (cf. Matthew 6:33) and aspire only for the fulfillment of His age (cf. Luke 20:35). Their true wealth and their hearts are found therein (cf. Matthew 6:21). This characteristic is so crucial that St. Peter describes all Christians, reborn in the likeness of their Creator, as having been born "into a living hope, into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven" for them (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4); thereby the spirit of grace is nothing less than a pledge of this inheritance (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).

So in what way are the sons of this age wiser than the sons of light? Several interpretations arise. It is most straightforward to consider their wisdom in managing their affairs with skill, directing everything toward realizing their objectives, while the sons of light do not demonstrate the same zeal, perseverance, or effort toward their eternal pursuits as they do in securing their earthly goals. Everyone is aware of this discrepancy. Yet, this situation arises not from the significance of the sons of light but from their shortcomings and deviations from their calling. Essentially, when aligned with their purpose, the sons of light possess incomparable wisdom far surpassing that of worldly wise men. They simply need to recall how they emerge from the world's darkness, escape the shadows of sin, conquer their passions, and navigate the enemy’s schemes, discovering the profound path to God that is hidden and beyond comprehension, entering into a living relationship with Him. Through such encounters, the sons of light manifest a wisdom so elevated that no worldly cunning can compare. However, they only exemplify this truth when they diligently, faithfully, and selflessly fulfill their responsibilities as sons of light. Conversely, when they are content to merely title themselves as such without earnest endeavors to embody this identity, they become less wise than those who are only somewhat adept worldly individuals. To those lacking zeal in expressing their sonship, wise words are fitting: observe how worldly individuals adeptly arrange their pursuits to accomplish their goals—they strategize, devise plans, and persistently work toward their attainment, never ceasing their efforts until they achieve what is inevitably trivial and fleeting. Yet you, who possess inexpressible promises and assured means for obtaining them, allow yourselves to dwell in apathy and neglect, failing to act in accordance with your designated nature and the calling that your title embodies. The virtuous observations made by Blessed Theophylact and Euthymius Zigabenus shed light on this very sensible encouragement contained in the Lord's words. Those who heard Him found it readily comprehensible. The terms "the sons of this age" and "the sons of the kingdom" were familiar to them. The latter referred to those destined to belong to the Messiah’s kingdom, while the former denoted those who would remain outside it. Although the Savior referred to them as sons of light, contrasting them with the sons of the age made it clear that He meant the sons of the kingdom, the members of the promised Kingdom of the Messiah. As the audience largely recognized the Savior as the awaited Messiah, they understood that they themselves were intended to partake in His kingdom; thus, the declaration "the sons of light are less wise than the sons of this age" directly applied to them. Consequently, those sincerely seeking the truth should have felt a pricking of conscience; if they found themselves absorbed in earthly matters, so entangled that they couldn’t extricate themselves, they should believe in the Lord’s words and earnestly endeavor to act as worthy members of the kingdom. They were, in fact, more imprudent than those they deemed less worthy. This painful reminder, keenly felt, would inevitably spur them toward a desire to embody their intended roles, affirming their significance by following the Lord. The Savior's intent in delivering this message was to implant a challenging thought in the hearts of those who listened, echoing his earlier assertion that "the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out" (cf. Matthew 8:12). The Pharisees recognized this implication and, displeased, expressed their discontent (cf. Luke 16:14). Yet, not every individual present shared the Pharisees' mindset. The disciples had already forsaken everything. In relation to them, the Lord's statement could only convey: "As you began, so persevere to the end, and examine yourselves to see if any of you are not less wise in your generation than the sons of this age." What a powerful admonition for Judas, who had failed from his station and drifted from his commitment! For the tax collectors seeking guidance, the Lord foretold the consequence of their moral decline. They were already aware their behavior contradicted the promises of Israel; yet at the Lord's words, they could only perceive that their conduct resembled that of the unjust steward. It was as though the Lord instructed them, "Observe how astutely the Steward acted? You are to follow in his footsteps. Here's how: ‘Make for yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness’" (v. 9). Perhaps those who view the sons of this age as wiser than the sons of light are not far from the truth, considering their adeptness in managing worldly affairs, a skill that the latter may lack. St. Basil the Great, in his commentary on the Psalms (Psalm 48:11-12), noted: "they are not simply 'wiser,' but only in the respect of how to navigate this carnal existence." He likened them to serpents in their shrewdness (Basil the Great, Conversations on Psalms, 48:11-12). In encounters on common ground, the sons of light frequently find themselves outmatched. Their innocence renders them unable to discern the deceptions employed by worldly individuals, leading to their disadvantage. Focused on transcendent life, they may neglect the wisdom essential for navigating earthly matters. Meanwhile, the sons of this age, endlessly engaged in arranging their necessary affairs, develop exceptional skill and cunning which the simplicity and trust of the sons of light cannot counteract. Other perspectives exist, albeit less aligned with the essence of the matter. Some draw insight from the traits of the sons of the age, wherein each pursues his own interests, frequently creating conflicts with others, and finds himself engaged in a continual struggle against his peers. Such individuals inevitably employ every stratagem to outwit others, ensuring they suffer no loss while maximizing their gain. This struggle arises from a self-centered desire for self-preservation. Amid variable circumstances, they tirelessly devise new methods for securing and defending themselves against their equivalent peers. They are locked in consistent contention, constructing and countering traps. This type of wisdom is cunning and shrewd, frequently exercised among the sons of this age. In contrast, the sons of light, who trust in God above all, eschew such cunning, living among one another with sincerity, openness, and mutual trust, never suspecting malice in one another.

Understanding the Lord's story about the dishonest steward To guard against any confusion that might arise from a cursory interpretation of this parable, we must first grasp the Lord's message correctly: ‘make friends for yourselves by unrighteous riches’ (Luke 16:9). In this context, the Lord refers not merely to earthly wealth obtained through deception or theft, but to all material wealth, setting it in contrast with the wealth of virtues and divine grace: only this spiritual richness is enduring and righteous. This is reinforced by His subsequent statement, ‘Therefore, if ye have not been faithful in unrighteous riches, who shall believe ye the true?’ (Luke 16:11).

Commended for his astuteness, the Lord’s admiration does not pertain to the ethical nature of the steward’s actions, which cannot be deemed morally acceptable. Rather, it highlights the steward’s shrewdness in extricating himself from a difficult situation. The designation of the steward as unfaithful clearly indicates this truth. Despite his unfaithfulness, he garners acknowledgment for his cleverness.

The term "sons of this age" refers to those whose concerns are anchored in worldly interests, accumulating resources essential for life in this temporal existence. This is not a reference to the wicked or corrupt individuals, but to those whose earthly pursuits take precedence.