HE SPOKE IN PARABLES
XIII. THE UNRIGHTEOUS STEWARD
Luke 16:1-13 August 31, 2008

INTRODUCTION
This is one of the most difficult of all the parables to interpret. On the surface it sounds like this steward is being commended for doing wrong.

I. UNDERSTANDING THE INFORMATION IN THE PARABLE
It needs to be understood in light of the commercial practices of the day. Jewish people were forbidden to charge interest to their fellow Jews if money was lent to them. Ex. 22:25. Lev. 25:36. Deut. 23:19. To get around the Law, the business owner would hire a manager to write up the bill, so, technically, he could say, “Not me!” To further distance themselves from violating the Law, the stewards would simply make the interest part of the total amount due.

II. THE LESSONS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE PARABLE
1) The Lord Jesus teaches us about prudence in dealing with spiritual things.
2) The Lord Jesus teaches us about stewardship of our resources.
3) The Lord Jesus teaches us about Christian character.
a) Character is proven by faithfulness in the small things of life.
b) Character is proven in our handling of secular things.
c) Character is proven by loyalty.

SOME OF THE RESOURCES USED FOR THIS SERIES OF STUDIES:
John Calvin. Commentaries on the Gospels.
Bishop J.C. Ryle. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke.
John MacArthur. Commentary on the Gospels.
Matthew Henry. Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Poole. Commentary on the Whole Bible
Leon Morris. The Gospel According to Matthew
Alfred Plummer. Exegetical Commentary on Matthew
Simon Kistemaker. The Parables of Jesus.
Gordon Keddie. He Spoke in Parables.
James Montgomery Boice. The Parables of Jesus.
Terry Johnson. The Parables of Jesus.
Archbishop Trench. Notes on the Parables