The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 70

word which indicates this relation. To every one of 118 is given a ch?.r"e of goods whoso Owner is God. Our own constitution-physical, mental, moral-is ; trust; all our endowments-talents, powers of whatsoever kind-are a. property of which we a.re farmers; and he who thinks that he can do as he likes with these, that he can dissi- pate his substance by intemperance, or alienate his strength from higher ends, is false to his Maker and false to himself. So with regard to all our influence-direct and indirect--it is a power delegated to us by the Almighty, and to be realized under the sense of the account to be rendered to him. Money, relationships, social positions,-all are items of the estate over which we are set. Do we all realize this a.s we should? Do we not sadly forget this fact of stewardship? Christ speaks of "the mammon of unrighteousness." Here is an explanation which has been given. "The ears of Jesus roust have been repeatedly shocked by the kind of rashness by which men speak, without hesitation, of 'my fortune,' 'my land,' 'my house.' He who felt keenly the dependence of man on God perceived tha.t there was in this feeling of property a sort of usurpation, a forgetfulness of the real owner; in hearing such language he seemed to see the tenant changing into the master.'' Ah I does he not hear such language every day? Is it not in the air? Is it not in our own feeling? Are we not, in many ways, changing the tenant into the master, tho steward into the owner? taking the goods, and u&ing them without giving praise to him whose they are? Would that the answer given to the first question in an old Catechism were written into the texture of every life-" Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever." II. Connected with Christian stewardship is THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIAN ADMINISTRA- TION. And may it not be !aid that this is a. truth far too little studied and practised ? When we hear of depressions of trade, of hard, dull times, we ma.y well reflect on the saying of the Prophet Haggai (i. 5, 6), "Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little ; ye eat, but ye have not enough ; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." In regard to Christian objects, is there not much to learn from such tact and prudence as the steward's in the parable ? Do we not need them much in the conduct of benevolent enterprises? Competition may he healthy; but a competition which, in a limited area, or on mere windmills, spends a force which should be far more diffusive, is not only not healthy, it is a. loss and a scandal. Is not this the kind of competition which is too prevalent in ecclesiastical and in charitable spheres? Otherwise must we not confess that, through our want of inventiveness or wisdom in management, our want of skill to turn opportunities to the best advantage, of the sagacity which is exercised in worldly matters, we lay ourselves open to the reproach, " The children of this age are wiser in their generatioo than the children of light" (ver. 8) P Realize that, whether there is much or little, faithfulness is demanded of the steward-such a disposal or investment of all wealth as that the Lord's interests are farthered. To each of us is given the charge, "So aliocate the mammon of unrighteousness, the uncertain, unstable wealth which you possess, that it shall not hinder, but help you to the everlasting habitations.'' How many does that mammon hinder! How few of us so use our money as to advance not only Christ's cause but our own holiness I But should it not be rendered a means of spiritual gain ? It is concerning this fidelity to God in the laying out of the perishable riches that Christ hints that they in whom it abounds will not want the friendly welcome when the tent of this tabernacle is dissolved, and the spirit passes into the everlasting habitations. III. A word as to CHRISTIAN SERVIOE. This mnmmon, which was meant to be an instrument for the accomplishment of our stewardship, is a.pt to assume the bearing of a master. At first it is the slave, the most obedient, until, by constant trafficking with it and by taking it into the region of our affections, it becomes our love; and when it is the love of a man, the consideration which to him is first, the supreme point of his interest, then it ascends from the kitchen into the parlour, and claims the self as its own. This mammon-rule, mammon-worsbip, is one of the most distinct features of the day, and few of us know how deep is its mark in our souls. Here is the choice-this mammon, or Christ with the thorn-crowned brow; this mammon, or God himself. One or other we may serve; Christ insists we cannot serve both (ver. 13). .. That usurpi:ng lord has a will so different from God's will, gives commands so opposite  72 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [cu. xvi. 1-31.