Wiser than the Children of Light?
A Parable of Jesus
Jesus tells His disciples a parable about a master who called his steward into question about his stewardship. The steward began to reason within himself what would become of him. He wasn’t a manual laborer and he was too proud to beg. He therefore resolved to help his master’s debtors change their books to reflect a lower amount owed. The parable ends with this statement, “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light (Luke 16:8).
We can be sure the lord of that servant (his master), was not commending him because of his deceitfulness, but because of shrewdness. The steward had acted in a way to gain favor so that when his employment ended, he would always have somewhere to go. He took opportunity to make provision for himself.
This unjust steward is said to have done wisely. He exercised worldly wisdom as in understanding how to play the game; how to seize an opportunity that would work for his benefit in the end. Further, the parable goes on to say, “the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.” There are unbelievers who have great wisdom concerning worldly things. For example, they make great financial decisions, are brilliant in math and the sciences. They are shrewd in playing the game, and overall set themselves up for success in their lifetime (generation) and sometimes beyond.
Lessons for Us
One lesson “children of light”
can learn is to exercise wisdom- even concerning this world. The bible is not promoting lying, cheating, and deceitfulness; but it does promote making wise financial decisions, making provisions for the future in this world (however long it is), exercising grace to others, and overall being wise stewards. We can learn sound financial principles and other lessons from people who are not born again. How we go about applying those lessons and our motivation behind it, should be very different though. Don’t be naïve and use heavenly mindedness as an excuse not to be present, active, and fervent in business in this world.
Even more so, “children of light” can learn to exercise wisdom- concerning the world to come. Make provision for your soul in eternity. We can’t just live the now; enjoy the now; and store up riches in this world (and generation) for now. We must look to eternity- to our everlasting habitation. One day our employment in this world (inspired by Matthew Henry) will end. Everyone will transition from the comforts of this world to another- incomprehensibly greater or worse. Let us not be passive in our fight for joy in Jesus Christ. All our worldly possessions and efforts can’t satisfy the longing of our souls. Only Jesus can do that. Only mature minded “children of light” have learned that.
Conclusion
Be a just steward. Learn from the lives of others, taking unto yourself those things that are good and leaving behind that which is ruinous. Make sure of your election and calling- not just as far as what you are called to do in this world, but even more, that you have been called by Christ into eternal life. Don’t go about life in a passive way. Learn a lesson or two from the unjust steward. Run this race to win (1 Corinthians 9: 26,27).
