From The Deacon’s Desk for September 18, 2022

Dear Friends:

Today we hear from Luke’s Gospel 16:1-13. This is another very famous story about a dishonest steward who brings great displeasure upon himself from his master because he has mismanaged the master’s estate. The master is so angry with the dishonest steward that he actually dismisses him from his position of managing the estate.  The steward is very distraught as he now has no way to make a living. He’s not strong enough to do manual labor, and after what he did most people will not trust him. In modern-day terms he is between a rock and a hard place.

The steward though has a brainstorm. He decides to give everyone who owes his master money a major discount. One man receives a 20% discount, another gets a 50% discount. When the master sees this, he commends the steward for being prudent! I don’t know about you, but this sounds unfair to me. The steward is a dishonest man and yet the master compliments him. What can possibly be going on here?

One explanation about this parable is that the steward gave back his commission to those he cheated. If that is the case, then the steward has made restitution for his dishonesty and now will be welcome anywhere in the town.

I’m sure you figured out by now that even if we sin God is ready and willing to forgive us. Yes we may suffer because of our selfishness. That is usually what happens. But God does forgive us and we are welcome once again into his fold and into the heavenly kingdom.

May God give us the courage to ask for God’s forgiveness, and may God give us the courage to make restitution to those we sin against.

Peace and All Good!

Deacon Jim