About the dishonest administrator and our handling of property and opportunities.
Luke 16:1-31; jes. 56:1-57:21; Ephesians 4:17-5:14

“I emerged naked from my mother's womb; I return there naked" (Job 1:21) says the just Job. In fact, we cannot take our possessions and wealth with us from this world. But we can use these to gather up treasures in heaven, "where neither moth nor worm destroy them, and thieves do not break in and steal them!" (Matthew 6:20). In doing so we should have no fear, for the Lord himself speaks to us, saying: “Rather seek his kingdom; then the other will be given to you. Fear not, little flock! For your father has decided to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:31-32).

The fourth Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Dishonest Steward. Reason is the reading of the day from Luke 16:1-31 and the parable contained therein of the dishonest steward (Luke 16:1-9). The readings of the day are chosen in such a way that they draw the believer's attention to how to deal with possessions and opportunities. It is not the making of wealth or poverty of a sinner or saint, but the handling of the possessions entrusted to us. We should be clear that the term possession should not only be understood as financial, but also as gifts that the Creator has given us.

The administrator asks himself two questions: what will happen to me if I continue as I have been up to now and how can I correct or even make amends for my mistakes. And precisely because he has thought of the future and directed his actions accordingly, he is praised by the Lord. He is described as "clever" because he questions what future prospects his actions can have here and now. And that is exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ wants from me and you. No matter what we do or what we don't do, we should always have life in the life to come in mind.

The administrator could have acted differently. If he had only thought about the present and continued his injustices, his end would have been very different. But the steward understands that the present disappears the moment we think of it. So it cannot be the real goal of life, as opposed to the future. And he acts in such a way that his works will bear fruit in the future. This is what we should learn from the unjust steward: use the present to stay alive in the future, even enjoy life.

“I emerged naked from my mother's womb; I return there naked" (Job 1:21) says the just Job. In fact, we cannot take our possessions and wealth with us from this world. But we can use these to gather up treasures in heaven, "where neither moth nor worm destroy them, and thieves do not break in and steal them!" (Matthew 6:20). In doing so we should have no fear, for the Lord himself speaks to us, saying: “Rather seek his kingdom; then the other will be given to you. Fear not, little flock! For your father has decided to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:31-32).

Rev. Dr. Diradur Sardaryan