How does the unjust steward secure his future?

Definition and Scriptural Context

Luke 16:1–9 recounts the account often called “the Parable of the Unjust Steward.” This steward—sometimes translated “manager” (Greek: οἰκονόμος, oikonomos)—has mismanaged his master’s resources. When his employer calls him to account, the steward fears imminent job loss and takes steps to ensure his personal well-being once he is dismissed.

“Then Jesus also said to His disciples, ‘There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked, “What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.” The manager said to himself, “What shall I do, now that my master is taking away my position? I am too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg. I know what I will do, so that after my removal from management, people will welcome me into their homes.” And he called in each one of his master’s debtors. “How much do you owe my master?” he asked the first. “A hundred measures of olive oil,” he answered. “Take your bill,” he told him. “Sit down quickly, and write fifty.” Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” “A hundred measures of wheat,” he replied. “Take your bill and write eighty,” he told him. The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.”’”

Immediate Setting

1. The steward is accused: Information has reached his employer that he is wasting property.

2. The steward’s fear: The steward knows physical labor is difficult, and he is too proud to beg.

3. The steward’s plan: By reducing the debts of various clients, he expects to gain their favor.

In this parable, the steward’s actions are cunning. Instead of using his remaining time to correct his mismanagement in a just way, he focuses on creating benefits for himself after termination.

Analysis of the Steward’s Motives

The steward’s primary concern is self-preservation. By lowering each debtor’s bill, he garners goodwill. This cleverly lays groundwork for future hospitality or employment. The master’s surprising response—he commends the steward’s “shrewdness”—forms the core teaching of the passage.

1. Shrewdness Defined: The term implies foresight, strategic thinking, and craftiness. The steward is not commended for dishonesty, but rather for grasping his dire situation and taking decisive steps for a secure future.

2. Contrasting Values: In verse 8, the master contrasts “the sons of this age” with “the sons of light.” Jesus uses this contrast to highlight that believers (the sons of light) should also be wise and proactive in their stewardship, while never compromising integrity.

3. Temporal vs. Eternal: Jesus emphasizes that if worldly individuals use possessions shrewdly to gain short-lived advantages, then those who follow God should do even more wisely with resources for eternal purposes rather than fleeting, earthly gain.

How the Unjust Steward Secures His Future

1. Cultivating Relationships: He calls in his master’s debtors and reduces their bills (Luke 16:5–7). By doing so, he ensures they feel grateful, increasing the likelihood they will help him once he is dismissed.

2. Utilizing Present Opportunity: He recognizes his remaining time is limited. His strategic actions aim to guarantee he will “be welcomed into their homes” (Luke 16:4).

3. Seeking Earthly “Security”: Although morally questionable, his shrewd actions reflect a worldly wisdom to manage resources so that he reaps later benefits.

Jesus’ Teaching and Key Lessons

1. Prudence in Resource Management: Luke 16:9 records Jesus saying, “Use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.” The principle is that believers should employ resources in a manner that has lasting, eternal influence.

2. Faithful Stewardship: The misuse of wealth in the parable serves as a stark contrast to what Jesus teaches elsewhere about faithful stewardship (cf. Matthew 25:14–30). Believers must recognize that all possessions ultimately belong to the Creator, and they are entrusted to steward them wisely.

3. Integrity vs. Dishonesty: While the parable presents a dishonest steward, Scripture throughout condemns deceit. The commendation in this story is for foresight and decisive action, not for cheating his master.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Stewardship Before God: The idea of stewarding one’s possessions, time, and relationships is woven throughout Scripture. From Genesis 1:28 onward, humanity is entrusted with creation. This parable underscores the seriousness of accountability (Romans 14:12) for how one uses resources.

2. Eternal Perspective: Earthly resources are temporary. Luke 16:13 closes the teaching by saying, “No servant can serve two masters. 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 both God and money.” True security is found in aligning priorities with eternal realities rather than merely human survival skills.

3. Kingdom-minded Use of Wealth: Acts of mercy, charity, and ministry that flow from a benevolent heart show wise stewardship. As an example, archaeological and papyrological findings in the Near East demonstrate trade records and debt management in the first-century Mediterranean world. By reducing bills, a manager could indeed create an economic bond. Jesus transforms that custom into a spiritual lesson: be even more intentional about kingdom investments, reflecting God’s generosity rather than worldly self-preservation.

Practical Application

1. Invest in Relationships for God’s Glory: Genuine care for others, hospitality, and outreach mirror the principle of “making friends” in a God-honoring way.

2. Prepare for Eternal Accountability: Just as the steward prepared for unemployment, all people should be prepared to give an account before God. This calls for integrity and wise use of material blessings.

3. Examine Motivations: The steward acted for selfish reasons. Christ’s followers are called to act out of love, compassion, and a desire to please God, acknowledging that life’s resources are on loan from Him.

Answer to the Question: “How Does the Unjust Steward Secure His Future?”

He secures his future by leveraging his final moments of authority to reduce the debts of his master’s clients, thereby winning their favor. From a broader perspective, Jesus uses the parable to illustrate that resourcefulness and shrewd planning, if used within the framework of God’s righteousness, can and should be applied by those who are “sons of light.” The unjust steward’s short-term earthly security parallels the spiritual call for believers to manage resources in ways that bring an eternal yield, ultimately emphasizing that every person is accountable for how they shape their life’s priorities and relationships.