Parable of the crafty steward

[Abu]

Wealth has to be produced before it can be distributed, and as we are commanded to help the poor, we must be able to produce wealth which is what free enterprise is about.

The steward, his work and his remedial action – his shrewdness and opportune behaviour – are clearly most fitting to highlight the way the believer should act in relation to Christ.

Citing the case of the rich young man in Luke 18:18-25, Dr Chafuen remarks that many authors think that Jesus was condemning the possession of riches, but “the Late Scholastics indicated that this was not the correct interpretation.

"Jesus does not condemn the possession of riches but, rather disordered attachment to them.” Notice also that Jesus did not ask His Apostles to renounce their property. Christians For Freedom, Dr Alejandro Chafuen, Ignatius 1986, p 45].

 

[mercytruth]

However, Jesus would not have told his disciples and us, “that it is more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, then it is for a camel to pass through an eye of the needle”, if it was not true.

Having an attachment to wealth is covetousness. Jesus is saying that if one is wealthy it is very difficult not to have an attachment to such. So detachment from one’s possessions is the exception, rather than the rule. From the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, I do not think we should encourage the acquirement of wealth, nor should we condemn it outright.

 

[Pitcharan]

Wealth has to be produced before it can be distributed, and as we are commanded to help the poor, we must be able to produce wealth which is what free enterprise is about.

The steward, his work and his remedial action – his shrewdness and opportune behaviour – are clearly most fitting to highlight the way the believer should act in relation to Christ.

Citing the case of the rich young man in Luke 18:18-25, Dr Chafuen remarks that many authors think that Jesus was condemning the possession of riches, but “the Late Scholastics indicated that this was not the correct interpretation.

"Jesus does not condemn the possession of riches but, rather disordered attachment to them.” Notice also that Jesus did not ask His Apostles to renounce their property. Christians For Freedom, Dr Alejandro Chafuen, Ignatius 1986, p 45].

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. (Lk 16:14-15)