Unjust Stewards

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There once was a very powerful man in a powerful and wonderful country who was given a great stewardship. Despite his lack of experience and young age, the people of that country entrusted him to look after their money and to ensure their work. He had great plans and made great promises, and as his power and influence grew, he came to believe that he was steward of all.

After a few years, the burden of the people became grievous. Although the steward had not been directly involved in the decisions that hastened this plight, he knew those who had been rather well. True to his word, he made decisions to help manage their debts. Part of this involved that the steward incurred debts of his own, not personally, but against the account of the steward who hired him. He used this debt to secure that of the people, to whom he had said he was actually going to forgive the debts. In honesty, he kept track of them.

Shortly thereafter, the Master took an accounting of his stewards. He realized the debt incurred by this steward. He confronted him. The steward explained that his ideas should work given enough time. "Oh my boy," the Master shook his head, "if thou wert older, thou wouldst know that these efforts have been tried before and led to the same result. Now, the law requires that I treat you as a thief and cast you into prison. The steward panicked and begged for forgiveness. If he had a little more time, a little more help, and a little higher salary, he assured the master he could do the job. The Master reluctantly agreed.

One day in the weeks immediately following, the steward was out among his people. Desperate to keep his promise to the Master, he visited his vassals and called in their debts. Those who could pay did. Some fled the land when they caught word the steward was coming. Many complained. The steward had promised that he would make things alright.

When the steward came to one particular protestor, he faced a dilemma. This was the particular vassal to whom he had made the greatest promises and one who had made great personal sacrifice to help him rise to this stewardship. However, the steward insisted that said vassal owed him and called in the debt. As he sent out swarms of officers to harass the vassal and take all of his worldly goods, word came to the Master.

The Master called the steward before him. He asked about what he had heard. Eventually the steward confessed. The Master freed the vassal and laid that same punishment on the unjust steward.

Sounds like one of Jesus' parables, right? It is, but it's also about the Obama administration. They insist that we owe them. For their unjust stewardship, whether in this life or the next, the Master will balance the books and send out justice. Our world needs justice more than it needs compassion. Obama would do well to listen to the words of the man he ostensibly worships as King of King, Lord of Lords, and Master of Stewards who holds men accountable for the dispensation of their duties.