"There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods, and he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself. What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship. I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another. And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and write four score. 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. And I say unto you. Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations."
Now, Jesus did not approve of the actions of the steward. They were decidedly dishonest, and Jesus calls him an unjust steward. But from the conduct of this steward, Jesus draws a profitable lesson. The steward was a man of the world. The children of the world are wise in their generation. When, therefore, the steward was in trouble, he made the mammon of unrighteousness his servant, and secured for himself a comfortable living when he should be put out of the stewardship. A somewhat similar use should the children of light make of such wealth as they are appointed stewards over. They should look after the poor, care for the needy, shed comfort and cheer, and make for themselves friends by means of their wealth. First must come obedience to the commandments of God, and a diligent seeking after Him. Then worldly goods must be made to serve in helping to prepare a habitation in the eternal home.
Paul, again, who seemed always clearly to comprehend the teachings of the Master, put it thus: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
In the teaching of Jesus, then, riches are not a bar to eternal life. The terms of salvation are the same to the rich and the poor alike. It is not poverty that saves a man, but humility of spirit and obedience. So it is not riches that condemn a man; but love of riches, and disobedience. Many there are who, like the rich young ruler, turn and go their way because they have great possessions. Many others there are who, like Matthias Baldwin, exclaim, "I feel more thankful for the disposition to give largely than for the ability to give largely; for I know that immense wealth can be acquired a great deal easier than the heart to use it well. My money without a new heart would have been a curse to me."
THE REFERENCES
Matt. 19:16-22. Luke 12:29-31.
Luke 18:22. 1 Tim. 6:10, 17-19.
Luke 16:1-10.
THE QUESTIONS
1. What disposition did Matthias Baldwin develop with the accumulation of riches?