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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 16:8

Verse 8 8.And the master commended the unjust steward Here it is obvious that if we were to attempt to find a meaning for every minute circumstance, we would act absurdly. To make donations out of what belongs to another man, is an action which is very far from deserving applause; and who would patiently endure that an unprincipled villain should rob him of his property, and give it away according to his own fancy? It were indeed the grossest stupidity, if that man who beheld a portion of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 16:9

Verse 9 9.Make to yourselves friends. As in the words which were last considered Christ did not enjoin us to offer sacrifices to God out of the fruits of extortion, so now he does not mean that we ought to search for defenders or advocates, who will throw around us the shield of their protection; but teaches us that by acts of charity we obtain favor with God, who has promised, that to the merciful he will show himself merciful, (Psalms 18:25.) It is highly foolish and absurd to infer from this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 16:10

Verse 10 10.He who is faithful in that which is least. Those maxims are proverbs taken from ordinary practice and experience, and it is quite enough if they are generally true. It will sometimes happen, no doubt, that a deceiver, who had disregarded a small gain, shall display his wickedness in a matter of importance. Nay, many persons, by affecting honesty in trifling matters, are only in pursuit of an enormous gain; (298) as that author (299) says: “Fraud establishes confidence in itself in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:1-9

Cleverness and sagacity. There is a wide difference between worldly cleverness and spiritual sagacity; of these two acquisitions, the former is to be questioned if not avoided, the latter to be desired and attained. Christ's teaching here will be entirely misunderstood if we fail to discriminate between them. I. THE EMPLOYER 'S COMMENDATION OF HIS STEWARD 'S CLEVERNESS . " His lord" (not our Lord) commended the unjust steward because he had acted "shrewdly" (not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:1-13

The unjust steward. Whereas the three preceding parables were spoken to the Pharisees, this is spoken to the disciples. It is not quite certain whether all the parables were uttered at or about the same time; but the use of the word "also" ( Luke 16:1 ) suggests that they were. Anyhow, the saying before us has reference to a different kind of wasting from that of the younger son—a wasting against which the followers of Jesus are solemnly warned. We are called to listen to the Master as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:1-13

Money as a means of grace. The previous chapter was spoken against the pride of the Pharisaic party, who were too exclusive to welcome publicans and sinners to the same feast of privilege as themselves. The parable now before us was spoken against their covetousness. It will be found that, as the graces are to be found and grow together, so do the vices of mankind. The idolatry of wealth goes hand-in-hand with pride. In warning his disciples, however, against the vice, our Lord... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:1-31

The Lord ' s teaching on the right use of earthly possessions with regard to the prospect of another world, in the form of the two parables of the unjust steward, and Dives and Lazarus. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:8

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely. This, again, is a detail which has little bearing on the main teaching. It is a graphic and sarcastic eulogy which a good-humoured man of the world would pronounce upon a brilliant and skilful, although unprincipled, action, and it completes the story as a story. It seems evident that the intentions of the steward in regard to the debtors were carried out, and that they were really indebted to him for the release of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:9

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness . Then, with his usual solemn formula, "I say unto you," the Lord gave out his moral interpretation of the parable. His words were addressed to possessors of various degrees of wealth. "You will soon have to give up all your worldly goods; be prudent in time, make some real friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness; by means of that money entrusted to your care, do good to others who are in need." The mammon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 16:10

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much . This and the next three verses are closely connected with the parable of the unjust steward. Our Lord no doubt continued speaking, and these four verses contain a general resume of what may be called his reflections on the important piece of teaching he had just delivered. We have here the broad rule, upon which God will decide the soul's future, laid down. If... read more

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