Imported boundary: J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on Luke from the GraceGems public-domain chapter transcription. Site navigation, audio links, displayed Scripture blocks, and non-source web apparatus are not mirrored; this section preserves the Ryle expository prose for Luke 16:1-12 (The Parable of the Shrewd Manager). The transcription remains needs-verification against print editions before reuse.

Primary passage: Luke 16:1-12.

Source heading: The Parable of the Shrewd Manager.

Let us beware, in the first place -- that we do not draw lessons from these verses which they were never meant to teach.

The steward whom our Lord describes, is not set before us as a pattern of morality. He is distinctly called the "unjust steward." The Lord Jesus never meant to sanction dishonesty, and unfair dealing between man and man. This steward cheated his master, and broke the eighth commandment. His master was struck with his ingenuity and forethought, when he heard of it -- and commended him as a shrewd and far-seeing man.

But there is no proof that his master was pleased with his conduct. Above all, there is not a word to show that the man was praised by Christ. In short, in his treatment of his master, the steward is a beacon to be avoided -- and not a pattern to be followed.

The caution, now laid down, is very necessary. Commercial dishonesty is unhappily very common in these latter days. Honest dealing between man and man is increasingly rare. Men do things in the way of business -- which will not stand the test of the Bible. In "making haste to be rich," thousands are continually committing actions which are dishonest. (Proverbs 28:20.)

Sharpness and smartness, in bargaining, and buying, and selling, and pushing trade -- are often covering over dishonest hearts. The generation of "the unjust steward" is still a very large one. Let us not forget this. Whenever we do to others, what we would not like others to do to us -- we may be sure, whatever the world may say -- that we are wrong in the sight of Christ.

Let us observe, in the second place -- that one principal lesson of the parable before us, is the wisdom of providing against coming evil.

The conduct of the unjust steward, when he received notice to give up his place -- was undeniably shrewd and skillful. Dishonest as he was in striking off from the bills of debtors anything that was due to his master -- he certainly by so doing, made friends for himself. As wicked as he was -- he had an eye to the future. As disgraceful as his measures were -- he provided well for himself. He did not sit still in idleness, and see himself reduced to poverty -- without a struggle. He schemed, and planned, and contrived, and boldly carried his plans into execution. And the result was that when he lost one home, he secured another.

What a striking contrast between the steward's conduct about his earthly prospects -- and the conduct of most men about their souls! In this general point of view, and in this alone -- the steward sets us all an example which we should do well to follow. Like him -- we should look far forward to things to come. Like him -- we should provide against the day when we shall have to leave our present habitation. We should secure "a house in Heaven," which may be our home -- when we put off our earthly tabernacle of the body. (2 Corinthians 5:1.) Like him -- we should use all means to provide everlasting habitations for ourselves.

The parable, in this point of view, is deeply instructive. It may well raise within us great searchings of heart. The diligence of worldly men about the things of time -- should put to shame the coldness of professing Christians about the things of eternity. The zeal and pertinacity of men of business in compassing sea and land to get earthly treasures -- may well reprove the slackness and indolence of believers about treasures in Heaven.

The words of our Lord are indeed weighty and solemn, "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind -- than are the people of the light!" May these words sink into our hearts and bear fruit in our lives!

Let us notice, lastly, in this passage -- the remarkable expressions which our Lord uses about little things, in close connection with the parable of the unjust steward. We read that He said, "He who is faithful in that which is least -- is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in the least -- is unjust also in much."

Our Lord here teaches us the great importance of strict faithfulness about "little things." He guards us against supposing that such conduct about money as that of the unjust steward, ought ever to be considered a light and trifling thing among Christians. He would have us know that "little things" are the best test of character -- and that unfaithfulness about "little things" is the sign of a bad state of heart.

He did not mean, of course, that honesty about money can justify our souls, or put away sin. But He did mean that dishonesty about money is a sure sign of a heart not being "right in the sight of God." The man who is not dealing honestly with the gold and silver of this world -- can never be one who has true riches in Heaven. "If you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property -- then who will give you property of your own?"

The doctrine laid down by our Lord in this place, deserves most serious consideration in the present day. An idea appears to prevail in some men's minds -- that true religion may be separated from common honesty; and that soundness about matters of doctrine, may cover over swindling and cheating in matters of practice! Against this wretched idea, our Lord's words were a plain protest. Against this idea, let us watch and be on our guard. Let us contend earnestly for the glorious doctrines of salvation by grace, and justification by faith. But let us never allow ourselves to suppose that true religion sanctions any trifling with the second table of the law. Let us never forget for a moment -- that true faith will always be known by its fruits. We may be very sure that where there is no honesty -- there is no saving grace.