Truth Magazine

By Johnny Stringer

The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Lk. 16:1-8) has presented much difficulty to Bible students, but the lesson of the parable is a valuable one. It is the purpose of this article to summarize the parable as Jesus presented it, and to discuss the meaning of the parable on the basis of Jesus’ comments which followed it.

Summary Of The Parable

Verses 1-3 – the steward’s problem. A steward is one who has been entrusted to manage the affairs or property of another. The steward of this parable had not been diligent and faithful in fulfilling his responsibilities, but had wasted his master’s goods. As a result, he was to lose his position as steward. His problem was how he would be able to survive after his master put him out. He reasoned that he could not do the kind of physical labor that was involved in digging, and he had too much pride to beg. So what would he do?

Verses 4-7 – the steward’s solution. The steward devised a plan by which he would make certain ones feel obligated to him, hence receive him into their houses after he lost his stewardship. Before his master took his stewardship from him, he went to those who owed debts to his master, and he reduced their debts. He told them to cut their bills. His hope was that out of gratitude for this favor, out of a sense of obligation to him, these debtors would take him into their homes when his master put him out (v. 4).

Verse 8a – His lord’s reaction. His lord commended him for his wisdom. He was wise with respect to attaining worldly goals. Some people have difficulty with this verse. They think that the lord mentioned here is Jesus, and wonder why Jesus would commend someone for his dishonest actions. The lord mentioned in this verse however, is not Jesus. The lord discussed in the parable is the steward’s lord, his master (vv. 3, 5). Jesus is our Lord, but Jesus was not the steward’s lord. His lord was the one whose property he managed, the one for whom he worked. The thing his lord commended him for was his shrewdness. Someone may cheat you out of something, and you may be burning up with anger because of it; but you might still give him credit for his shrewdness. Perhaps the steward’s lord was a rather worldly fellow himself, so that he could especially appreciate such wisdom.

Children Of This World Vs. Children Of Light

Having related the parable, Jesus observes, “for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (v. 8b). Children of this world are those whose hearts are set primarily on things of this world; they seek earthly things; their interest is in gratification of physical desires and obtaining material wealth. Children of light are those who walk in the light (1 John 1:7), following Christ (John 8:12).

The shrewdness which the steward exercised toward providing for his material welfare is illustrative of the great ingenuity which children of this world exercise in achieving their worldly goals. Jesus’ point is that children of this world exercise greater prudence, ingenuity, and wisdom in the pursuit of their material goals than disciples do in the pursuit of our spiritual goals. Those who are successful in business, politics, or any other field of endeavor did not get that way without using their heads.

To illustrate the shrewdness of men with respect to making money, consider what happened when Elvis died. His body was not cold before men were planning ways of making money off his death. That is why we see the Elvis T-shirts and such things. What many saw as a tragedy, others saw as an opportunity. Such men do not miss any opportunity, but shrewdly exploit every kind of situation.

The lesson for us is that we should set our minds on spiritual endeavors, and exercise the same degree of wisdom in our spiritual pursuits that children of the world do in their material pursuits. If we were to put our minds and hearts into serving God to the extent that children of this world do in their endeavors, there is no telling what we could accomplish.

Using Mammon Of Unrighteousness

Jesus goes on to say, “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (v. 9). The expression “mammon of unrighteousness” is parallel with the expression “unrighteousness mammon” in verse 11. The word “mammon” means riches. “Unrighteous mammon” or “mammon of unrighteousness” is not ill-gotten gain, as some believe. Jesus is simply speaking of money, material wealth. Money was called unrighteous because it is deceitful (Matt. 13:22), and the love if it leads many to unrighteousness (1 Tim. 6:9-10). In verse 11 unrighteous mammon is contrasted against heavenly riches, which are called true, rather than unrighteous.

In verse 9, Jesus is talking about the use we make of money. This is obvious from verses 10-12. Thus, when He says, “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness,” He means to make friends with or by means of money; He means to use the money so as to make friends who will receive us into everlasting habitations.

Attitudes and Consequences

The aim of this work has been to trace the development of two attitudes toward the Scripture authority in the Restoration Movement: that of the early spirits in Jesus’ admonition in verse 9 relates back to the parable. He is making a comparison between our responsibility and the action of the steward in the parable. Note the comparison. The steward’s goal was earthly habitations (v. 4). His method of obtaining that goal was to use money (helping the debtors financially) so as to make friends who would receive him into their houses. Our goal is not earthly, but heavenly habitations (v. 9). As the steward so used money that he would be received into earthly houses, we are to so use money (mammon of unrighteousness) that we will be received into heavenly habitations.

What about the friends of verse 9? It may be that Jesus is not speaking literally. The steward provided for his reception into earthly houses by making friends (though the use of money). Since Jesus is comparing the steward’s actions with our responsibility, He may simply be using what the steward did (making friends) to stand for our efforts to make provisions for our reception into eternal habitations. If He does have reference to literal friends, perhaps they are heavenly friends – God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the angels; all of these will receive us into heavenly habitations, welcoming us there will open arms if we are faithful.

The point of verse 9, then, is that we are to use our money in such a way that we can be received into everlasting habitations. Verses 10-12 continue to stress the importance of proper use of what we have. This does not mean that we buy our way into heaven. Nevertheless, it is true that the manner in which one uses his money is an indication of the faith and love that is in his heart. When out of faith, love, and devotion to God, we use our money to do good, we are conducting ourselves in such a manner that we will be received into heavenly habitations. See 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Heb. 13:16; Eph. 4:28; Phil. 4:10-18.

The Primary Point Of The Parable

As the steward exercised wisdom (v. 8) in using money so as to be received into earthly houses, so we are to wisely use our possessions so as to be received into everlasting habitations in heaven.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, pp. 487-488
July 31, 1980

By Olen Holderby

On September 30, 1979, Raymond Harris had an article in Truth Magazine, “If You’ve Seen One, You’ve Seen Them All!” Raymond likened the “Soul Saving Workshop” to the traveling carnival or circus, and concluded, “If you have seen one, you have seen them all.” Having been in at least a couple places where such workshops were highly advertized and greatly “festivalized,” I have no argument with Raymond’s conclusion. The usual subjects or themes for such workshops are borrowed from the denominations and should be quickly returned. However, I see no improvement that I can make on Raymond’s article. Why not read it for yourself. But, Raymond, permit me to offer a couple of “circuses” California style, a portion of which is new (at least to me).

Circus #1: Yosemite Church Camp, July 26-27, 1978. Actors were from the East Ventura Church in Ventura, California and the College Church in Fresno, California. The first skit was a woman padded in front with pillows. This was an acted-out joke, a vulgar one, about a pregnant woman. Skit #2 showed a draped American Flag, supposedly honoring those who died in the “Service”; but the skit went on saying, “Which service, morning or evening?” -indicating, of course, that people were dying in the worship services. The third skit brought the lights on with a boy hugging and kissing a girl in close embrace. The father comes thundering out of the- house and demanded, “Do you have scripture for that?” To which the boy replied, “Hold fast that which is good,” from 1 Thess. 5:21. The fourth skit showed a girl trying to get a boy to kiss her but he was refusing. The young lady went to her sister and said, “I had to slap him five times,” “Why”, asked the sister, “because he tried to kiss you?” Her reply, “No, because I thought he was dead.” Following other short skits, a girl finished off the program with a little sermonizing. All of this was announced by Murray Issacs of the College Church as from the Youth Group of the East Ventura Church. How do you like that for a circus? But that is not all.

On the following evening a “Breath of Life Group” under Murray Isaacs of the College Church provided the entertainment. Opening statements urged, “Use anything for the Lord – respond in any way you wish -” The first skit in this program was a laud mockery about an evangelist who had been preaching for 35 years; his baptizing was acted out in a degrading fashion-to say the least! A skit on the rich man and Lazarus of Luke 16 appeared to be nothing less than a mockery to get a laugh. In a judgment scene Peter was repeatedly referred to as “Your Heavenly Host”; other skits referred to “That darned guy Jesus” and John the Baptist as fools. Of course, the “bad guys” were made to say these things. The Good Samaritan of Luke 10, also, came in for a laugh or two. So, the curtain falls on our first circus; all of this being reported by one who was there!

Circus #2: The Del Rosa church bulletin, July 30, 1978 (where Arthur Atkinson, Jr. preaches). Various quotes from that bulletin will give the reader an idea of both acts and actors.

Fellowship Meal: Next Lord’s day is the first Sunday of the month and we will be having a fellowship meal together after the morning service. Plan now to be present.

Ice Cream: There is going to be ice cream served here at the building on August 13, after the evening service. Plan to be present.

Elders And Deacons Meeting: The elders and deacons will meet as soon after the above date as possible. Due to the ice cream gathering on the 13th after the evening service, there will have to be a different date set for this meeting.

Congregational Meeting: The elders do plan to try to meet the third Sunday of each month with the congregation to keep them up to date with what is going on and to ask for help in overseeing the congregation.

Tuesday Class: Tuesday we will be having our first of the month praise, prayer and share meeting. You will be edified by being present.

A Change In Evening Service: Tonight is the 5th Sunday of the month which is the Sunday evening we usually have our spontaneous service. We would not have classes this evening as announced above. Rather, we will have a presentation by our youth leaders concerning the backpacking trip that our young people recently returned from.

There you have it! What would almost amount to a “three-ring circus.” A member of the church from this area visited the above congregation and reported that they took approximately 40 minutes to have the Lord’s Supper, with various ones arising “as the Spirit moved them” to say whatever they desired. According to their bulletin, they have at 9:30 A.M. something called “Celebration Time.” From the items mentioned above, I would guess they really do have something to celebrate, but it does not improve their relationship to the Lord nor invite His approval. I would urge every member of such a group to hear the plea of the Lord, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev. 2:5).

Yes, one plus one does equal one; or, as brother Harris put it, “When you have seen one, you have seen them all.” Both of these “circuses” amount to one great big departure from the Truth. I am confident that there simply must be some good honest souls in each of these places that still love the Truth; but when are they ever going to learn how wrong they are for supporting such (II John 9-I1). Perhaps a good way to end my comments would be to quote what brother Harris said, “And if your preacher and your youth are smitten by what they see and hear, within a year or two that little Christian Church out at the edge of town may more nearly resemble the Church of the New Testament, than the congregation where you now attend!” Or, has it already reached that point?

(Editor’s Note: Brethern, if you want to be with the religious “in-crowd, ” you must simply persuade yourself to close your eyes to activities such as this and raise your umbrella of fellowship to include men participating in such activities. If you decide to condemn the church’s involvement in activities such as this, you become the arch villian of Christ, according to proponents of the grace fellowship heresy. Who can close his eyes to departures from this truth such as this? Surely not I and apparently thousands of other faithful Christians! Praise be to God for everyone of them!)

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, pp. 485-486
July 31, 1980

By Mike Willis

As we consider the decline in church membership in the United States, we must consider whether or not most Americans believe that one must be a member of the church (in their concept, just any church) to be saved. A good many Americans have reached the conclusion that they can be just as good a Christian without going to church as they can be while attending a church (J. Russell Hale, Who Are The Unchurched?, p. 40). “Can a person be a good Christian or Jew if he or she doesn’t attend church or synagogue? Seven out of 10 of the churched segment, and eight persons in 10 of the unchurched, answer in the affirmative” (The Unchurched American [Princeton Religion Research Center], p. 9). How essential one considers church membership to his personal salvation surely affects his attendance and affiliation with the church.

The problem faced by many Americans is that they have become rather disgusted at what they see in modern denominationalism and have simply quit attending any church. The fact that most American churches are apostate groups, having departed from sound doctrine, does not alter the fact that ,God designed, planned and built His church. Just because there are counterfeit bills floating around does not stop Americans from using our currency; why should one decide to throw out the church because there are religious counterfeits existing?

Furthermore, the religious leaders themselves have been telling the, populace that a person can be saved without ever becoming a member of a church. When one couples this with their doctrine of “once in grace, always in grace,” a person concludes that a person can be saved without ever even affiliating with a church. All that he needs to do is to accept Jesus as his personal Savior, he will be immediately saved (before and without baptism) and can -never fall from grace! So, why go to church?

I think that you can see the need to teach the place of the church in God*s-eternal plan. One cannot be saved without being a member of the- church. Failure to work with the church will result in one’s complete apostasy from God.

The Church In God’s Scheme

1. The church is a part of God’s eternal plan in Christ. Paul wrote,

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:8-11).

Whatever concept one forms of the church, it must be such that it is a part of God’s everlasting plan of Christ Jesus. To make the church a secondary plan born of necessity because of the Jewish rejection of Jesus, an invention of men for worthy or unworthy reasons, a religious accessory not essential to man’s salvation in God’s scheme, or some other depreciatory concept is to make the church less than what God intended. God planned the church from the beginning of time in conjunction with His plan to send Christ into the world to die for our sins.

2. Jesus built the church. Matthew recorded Jesus to have said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock (confession of faith in Christ) I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). The church has both a divine architect and a divine builder. Christ built the church!

3. The church was purchased with Christ’s precious blood. As Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders, he said, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). It is a blood-bought body. Its importance was such that Christ died to purchase it.

4. Reconciliation to God is in the one body. Discussing the reconciliation of both Jews and Gentiles to God through the cross, Paul said, “. . . and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:16). The body is the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Hence, reconciliation occurs in the church.

5. The saved are the church. Upon the day of Pentecost, the first gospel sermon was preached; three thousand people, desiring to be saved, obeying Peter’s command to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. Luke reported, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). Paul later added that Jesus is “the savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23), which is the church. The church is made up of those people who have heeded Christ’s call to depart from the world of sin and darkness; they are the “called-out” people of God.

I think that these statements should demonstrate the importance of the church in God’s everlasting plan. Hence, any man with a concept of the church which treats it as some sort of unimportant spiritual accessory certainly misunderstands its place in the scheme of redemption.

The Purpose of the Church

God had certain definite purposes in mind when He planned the church which Jesus built. He did not create a church for no reason whatsoever. Though I do not pretend to know every reason God had for bringing the church into existence, I do know that God had the following reasons in mind when He brought it into existence from these clear statements of Scripture.

1. To edify the members. Paul wrote that everything which is to be done in the assembly of the saints is to be done for edification (1 Cor. 14:26). Encouraging one another to do the will of the Lord is also associated with church attendance in these verses: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25). The congregational assembly is designed to encourage us to live as we should. This is the reason that time is spent in presenting apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7). The presentation of God’s revealed word should teach members their responsibilities before God. If a man can understand that the first century church needed this period of edification and had it, he should be able to understand that twentieth century saints need it as well.

2. To do the work of the Lord. God has given the church, as a collectivity, certain obligations. The church is to spread the word of God through financially supporting gospel preachers (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16); it is the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The church is to care for the needy among them (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 6:1-7; 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9). God plans for the church to function like a body with every individual part doing its part (1 Cor. 12:13-27; Eph. 4:16). He never intended for the Christian not to work in association with other Christians to accomplish the works given to the church.

The need for this collective work is easily seen. We cannot expect the non-believers to spread the word of God inasmuch as they do not believe it; we cannot expect those who refuse to obey the word of God to teach the world. The immoral are not going to accomplish the work given to the church. The denominationalists are not going to teach God’s plan of salvation. Hence, if the Christians, working individually and collectively, do not do the work of God, it will not get done! If God’s work is not optional, then one’s association with the church is not optional.

3. To offer worship to God. The church assembles together to sing praises to God (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15), to commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord (notice that the Lord’s supper is to be observed “when ye come together . . . into one place” – 1 Cor. 11:20), offer prayer (1 Cor. 14:15), hear the word of God preached (Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42) and to give of their means (1 Cor. 16:1-2). The contribution and the Lord’s supper can only be done in a collective capacity; every individual does not have the right to have his own private communion and contribution, choosing not to participate in the public worship of the church. Such an action would be contrary to the community action of the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 10:17). Consequently, the individual is expected to participate in the worship of the local congregation.

4. To practice discipline of the membership. The congregation is expected to discipline wayward members (1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15). This work is to be done “when ye are gathered together” (1 Cor. 5:4). Hence, the church has a responsibility to discipline members who refuse to walk in the paths of God’s word. This activity would cease if every member of the body of Christ decided to go to heaven without being a part of the Lord’s church. Consequently, I conclude that members must work together to be pleasing to God.

The Danger Of Ignoring God’s Plan

The person who decides to ignore God’s plan for his salvation acts in rebellion to God’s revelation. He presumes to know more about what he needs than God does, despite the plain statements to the contrary in God’s word (Jer. 10:23). God has revealed what man needs for his own good; the child of God will abide within God’s revelation.

One time a preacher approached a man about his lack of attendance at the local church. The man related to him that he could be just as faithful to the Lord without attending the worship services as he could be attending them. They were sitting in front of an open fireplace full of glowing embers as they talked. The preacher did not say a word; he simply picked up the fireplace thongs and picked out a glowing ember and sat it on the hearth. The two of them watched its glow growing dimmer until it was extinguished. The bed of coals continued to burn and give off heat whereas the part left to itself was extinguished. The preacher picked up the extinguished coal and put it back on the bed of coals saying, “That is why you need to be at church every service.”

What has been your experience? Are the most spiritual people you know church goers or not? Are those who miss services to attend sports events, recreational outings of another kind, and whatever else might please them, the people who sacrifice to support the preaching of the gospel, help the needy, and whatever other good works they can do? Are they the ones who study God’s word daily to understand His will? My experience has been just the opposite. Those who forsake the assembly of the saints are usually the weak members of the body of Christ. I am certain that you will have to confess that is the case with those whom you know as well.

My friends, you cannot be saved without being in the Lord’s church. You cannot stay saved without associating with the local congregation and serving as you have the opportunity. Despite what denominational preachers might be telling you and what your personal assessment of the situation might be, this is what God’s word reveals! Church membership is essential to salvation.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, pp. 483-485
July 31, 1980

By Eugene Crawley

Throughout the years the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity and simplicity, as well as its completeness, has been attacked. Men have sought to destroy and set at nought “the power of God unto salvation”. This evidently was true in Paul’s day, for we find a statement of his in Phil. 1:17 to this effect, “. . . knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.” So, it was evident to them that Paul had a fixed purpose, one carefully thought out and expressed, not only in word, but in action. This was manifested faithfully by Paul on a number of occasions by his defense of the word of God.

It was not his purpose to defend the religion of the Jews, in which he was so well instructed and in which he excelled, or the various positions handed down by tradition. His avowed determination was to defend the truth and he was “set” for it. In defending the truth, he defended the positions that the faithful are to hold.

Like Paul, we should “be set,” not for the defense of inherited positions, pet projects, or previously espoused doctrines, but for the defense of the gospel of Christ, for the truth that “frees from sin.” To do so involves learning God’s will (and how badly some need to do so) that we may know what we stand for and why, and that because it is authorized in the Divine Scriptures.

Indeed, our position should be, and must be, to defend the truth, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. When this is our position, we are at liberty to accept the truth as we learn it, and are not bound to try to defend and justify an unscriptural position in which we may find ourselves. When one takes a stand for a certain position, he is obligated to attempt to defend it, regardless of what the word of God teat es. One can very easily find himself in difficult circumstances by not being careful about what he accepts.

Truly there is a difference in defending the truth, and in defending a certain position or practice. To defend the truth is not only easier, but it is the honorable thing to do; so, may we determine to “earnestly contend for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints” (Dude 3). By so doing we can save ourselves and them who hear us (1 Tim. 4:16). To do otherwise is to tread on dangerous ground which leads farther away from the Lord.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, p. 482
July 31, 1980