This
seems like a strange parable! A steward is about to be fired, but now he is
being praised?
We must
step back and understand this culture. Owners often had stewards who looked
after their property. Now, stewards made money by charging a commission. This
is over and above what the item was sold for, whether it be olive oil or wheat.
This
steward is about to be fired, but he has an idea – I will give up my commission
– the owner will not lose anything, and the purchaser will owe me for this
kindness!
This is
what the owner is praising – smart use of this world goods! We are encouraged
to do the same – not to just deepen friendship with others – but deepen
friendship with God!
Interesting
use of words here – owner and steward. We often act as if we own – when in
fact, all comes from God – we are stewards!
This is
what young people are concerned about – we act as if we own the earth and can
do what we want with it. Instead, we are called to be good stewards, seeing it
as a gift!
A couple
of examples of good stewardship from this past week:
Every two
weeks now I travel to Hospital for Special Surgery for shockwave treatments on
my foot. This week I had a new technician – Jai. She was born in Queens. Her
dad and mom emigrated to the US from Korea. In time, her dad opened a 24-hour
deli in Hell’s Kitchen. She said at one time, she was embarrassed to tell her
friends her dad owned a deli – their parents were doctors and lawyers. But she
began to realize what he had accomplished – working every day – no vacations –
to provide for his family – to give her a chance at college and a career.
Money, not for it’s own sake, but to care for others.
Owner
admires steward – made good use of the money!
Men’s
Group great story about Mattress Mack of Houston – Jim McIntyre. He owns a mattress and furniture store. This
week there was terrible flooding in Houston from Tropical Storm Imelda. He
decided to send out his furniture trucks to rescue people – the third time he
has done so in the last few years. – He ended up rescuing over 120 people – 20 people
spent night in his store.
He said I
am ½ capitalist and ½ social worker. I can’t let my people drown. I am a practicing Catholic and I should
practice what I preach!
He’s got
the right balance! He is not an owner
but steward – he is making money, but the money is used to build up treasure in
heaven.
So how,
does this parable apply to us? Only you can answer that one!
