Chapter XVI
1 And he said also to his disciples - Not only to the scribes
and Pharisees to whom he had hitherto been speaking, but to all the younger
as well as the elder brethren: to the returning prodigals who were now
his disciples. A certain rich man had a steward - Christ here teaches all
that are now in favour with God, particularly pardoned penitents, to behave
wisely in what is committed to them.
3 To beg I am ashamed - But not ashamed to cheat! This was likewise
a sense of honour! "By men called honour, but by angels pride."
4 I know - That is, I am resolved, what to do.
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward - Namely, in this
respect, because he had used timely precaution: so that though the dishonesty
of such a servant be detestable, yet his foresight, care, and contrivance,
about the interests of this life, deserve our imitation, with regard to
the more important affairs of another. The children of this world - Those
who seek no other portion than this world: Are wiser - Not absolutely,
for they are, one and all, egregious fools; but they are more consistent
with themselves; they are truer to their principles; they more steadily
pursue their end; they are wiser in their generation - That is, in their
own way, than the children of light - The children of God, whose light
shines on their hearts.
9 And I say to you - Be good stewards even of the lowest talents
wherewith God hath intrusted you. Mammon means riches or money. It is termed
the mammon of unrighteousness, because of the manner wherein it is commonly
either procured or employed. Make yourselves friends of this, by doing
all possible good, particularly to the children of God: that when ye fail,
when your flesh and your heart faileth, when this earthly tabernacle is
dissolved, those of them who have gone before may receive, may welcome
you into the everlasting habitations.
10 And whether ye have more or less, see that ye be faithful as
well as wise stewards. He that is faithful in what is meanest of all, worldly
substance, is also faithful in things of a higher nature; and he that uses
these lowest gifts unfaithfully, is likewise unfaithful in spiritual things.
