The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-03
Luke xvi, l.l3.

BY sharp practice that appealed to their love
Of gain. While yet in position, and therefore
clothed with the necessary authority to act for
his principal, he called the men to him and
reduced their indebtedness by a single stroke Of
the pen. Two Of the cases are cited, probably
as illustrations Of others. The bill OF the
first man was discounted 50 per cent; that Of
the second man 20 per cent. This was . fraud
ulent transaction, quite in harmony with all his
former extravaganza and rccklessness. 1t was
all the more offensive, because it was done solely
In his own interest. He robbed his master,
whose goods he had squandersd, and did this
In the very moment Of leaving the service, that
he might thereby gain for himself some con.
sideration in the minds Of the men whom he
had favored That the plan would work there
could be no doubt. Such is the selshness Of
men that they readily take advantage of such
pecuniary gains. 1t may be that the steward
made definite bargain by which to secure his
end.
COMMENDED (vens S).-Now comes into the
narrative surprising element, over which some
have stumbled. The lord, that is the rich
man who had been wronged (not Jesus who was
relating the incident as some suppose), on
learning what the steward had done, commended
the act, and Jesus adds that the children Of this
world are wiser than the children OF light. The
sense would be better expressed IL the word
wiser were translated more cunning. The rich
man acknowledged that his uniaithful steward
was prudent and able to adjust himself to un.
fortunate circumstances, and Jesus declared that
that trait was more common among men Of the
world than among righteous people. that Is,
among Christians. And so we shall all coniess.
One who lives wayward hfe must exercise his
ingenuity and resort to tricks OF various kinds,
devising mischief 60 avert the results Of other
mischief (Prov vi: lD. The communication OF
the rich man was not approval OF the fraud, but
an admiration Of the desire to be friendly with
debtors and recognition Of the shrewd method
by which this was accomplished. This only
compelled to resort to bad methods to gain .
worthy object.
ADVISED (verse Owe are now done with
the parable in which man, recreant to his
trust, reaps the consequences dismissed from
service, forced to liv, upon those who have been
partskers Of his wrong doing 1t is Q dark and
forbidding picture, enough to turn any away
from dishonest practices Jesus next gives ad-
vice to His disciples that they may not fall
into this mode Of life. He assures them, how
ever. that it is proper to make friends with
the 'mammon OF unrighteousnes." that Is, with
worldly or irreligious rich people, He does not
mean that His disciples, In order to gain such
friendship, should lower their standards Of right,
or fall into ways that are bad-certainly He does
not mean that they shall resort to trickery or
fraud. He urges merely that they shall cult.
vats the good will Of people who are not church
members, which they can do in no better way
than by proving themselves thorough Christians.
A man Of the world admres good man, honon
him. And Jesus gives q reason for Ills advice
that when the believer i unfortunate he may bs
received into the abiding homes OF the rich;
that u, hs may bs cared for.