Luke 16:7

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

Then {G1899} said he {G2036} to another {G2087}, And {G1161} how much {G4214} owest {G3784} thou {G4771}? And {G1161} he said {G2036}, An hundred {G1540} measures {G2884} of wheat {G4621}. And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Take {G1209} thy {G4675} bill {G1121}, and {G2532} write {G1125} fourscore {G3589}.

To the next he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. ‘Take your note back and write one for eight hundred.’

Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ ‘A hundred measures of wheat,’ he replied. ‘Take your bill and write eighty,’ he told him.

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He saith unto him, Take thy bond, and write fourscore.

Commentary

Luke 16:7 is a pivotal line within Jesus' Parable of the Unjust Steward, found in Luke 16:1-13. This verse captures a specific moment where the shrewd steward, facing imminent dismissal, attempts to secure his future by manipulating his master's accounts to gain favor with the debtors.

Context

The parable begins with a wealthy man accusing his steward of wasting his goods. Upon hearing he will be fired, the steward devises a plan to ensure he has a place to go after losing his job. He calls in his master's debtors and drastically reduces their bills. In this specific verse, he asks another debtor about his debt, which is "an hundred measures of wheat." The steward then instructs him to reduce it to "fourscore," meaning eighty measures. This act, like the previous one with the oil, is a calculated move to indebt others to him, not out of generosity, but out of self-preservation.

Key Themes

  • Worldly Shrewdness: The central theme highlighted by this verse is the steward's practical, albeit dishonest, wisdom in securing his temporal future. He acts decisively and strategically.
  • Preparation for the Future: The steward uses his present opportunity to prepare for an uncertain future. This is the aspect Jesus encourages believers to learn from, not his dishonesty.
  • Stewardship of Resources: Although negative, the steward demonstrates a clear understanding of how to use resources (even ill-gotten influence) to achieve a desired outcome.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "an hundred measures of wheat," where a "measure" (Greek: koros) was a substantial unit, approximately 10-12 bushels or 100-120 gallons. Reducing "an hundred measures" to "fourscore" (eighty) represents a significant 20% reduction, making the debtor highly obliged to the steward. This was a considerable amount, highlighting the steward's bold and impactful actions in securing his post-employment welfare.

Practical Application

While Jesus does not commend the steward's dishonesty, He praises his foresight and decisive action. This verse, within the larger parable, challenges believers to apply similar diligence and strategic thinking to their spiritual and eternal lives. If worldly people are so shrewd in managing their earthly affairs, how much more should followers of Christ be proactive and wise in using their "unrighteous mammon" (earthly resources) to secure eternal habitations and build up spiritual treasures. It's a call to be purposeful and prepared for eternity, using present opportunities wisely.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 20:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

  • Luke 20:12 (2 votes)

    And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out.

  • Song Of Solomon 8:11 (2 votes)

    Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand [pieces] of silver.

  • Song Of Solomon 8:12 (2 votes)

    My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me: thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.