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Unjust Steward

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Holy Scripture › Unjust Steward

The question

The Holy Gospel of St. Luke 16:8 says, "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," could Your Grace please explain this verse?

The answer

The "lord" here is evidently the steward's lord, so called in the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 16: 3,5. He commended his steward not for his "injustice" but for his wise decision, "because he had done wisely". Through his foresight, the steward had utilized all the available means to the end. Children of light may learn lessons from his wisdom and not his injustice, as our Lord told us to "be wise as serpents."

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 381 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.