Luke 16:8

The lord commended. These words are not the editorial comment of Luke, as some have thought, but were part of Jesus’ parable. The speaker of these words of commendation is thus the “rich man” of v. 1. It is utterly inconceivable that Jesus would have given an unqualified commendation to the dishonest steward’s scheme to defraud his master (see COL 367). Jesus’ evaluation of this steward is revealed in the words, “the unjust steward.” However, as this commendation constitutes the climax of the parable, it is apparent that Jesus found in the rich man’s commendation of his steward something useful in teaching a lesson to the disciples and to the listening audience. The narrative itself makes plain what this was. The rich man did not condone his steward’s dishonesty; it was for dishonesty that he was being relieved of his duties. But the cleverness with which this scheming rascal brought his career of misconduct to a climax was so amazing, and the thoroughness with which he carried out his plan so worthy of more noble objectives, that the rich man could not help admiring his steward’s sharpness and diligence.

Done wisely. That is, from the viewpoint of self-interst, by making for himself a host of friends who would be obligated to him in days to come. The word “wisely” is from the Gr. phronimos, which, like its adjectival form phronimos (see Matt. 7:24; 10:16), is from phren, “mind.” As we would say, the steward had “used his head.” He had exercised foresight by planning cleverly and shrewdly for his own future. His “wisdom,” or “sharpness,” consisted essentially in the assiduous use he made of present opportunities while they lasted. Had the steward been as dilatory in making a final settlement with his master’s debtors as he had been in conducting business previously, he would not have succeeded with his nefarious scheme.

Children of this world. Literally, “children of this age,” considering the world from the viewpoint of time and events. Those who live for this world are referred to here in contrast with those who live for the next world, “the children of light.”

Their generation. That is, in the present age, the only “age” in which they are interested and for which they live (see on Matt. 23:36).

Wiser than. Men who live exclusively for this life often show more earnestness in their pursuit of what it has to offer than Christians do in their preparation for what God offers those who choose His service. It is a human weakness to give more thought to how we may serve ourselves than we do to how we can serve God and one another (see COL 370). The Christian does well to be characterized by “zeal,” but his zeal should be “according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:2). He must have a true sense of values in order to be so distinguished (see on Matt. 6:24-34).

Children of light. Compare John 12:36; Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5. Jesus also used such expressions as “children of God” (Matt. 5:9; Luke 20:36; John 11:52), “children of the kingdom” (Matt. 8:12; 13:38), “children of your Father” (Matt. 5:45), to refer to those who accepted His teachings and made the kingdom of heaven first in their lives (see on Matt. 6:33).