Luke 16:2

“And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.”

This verse is part of a parable known as the Parable of the Unjust Steward, which Jesus told to His disciples. The parable focuses on a steward who was accused of wasting his master’s goods and is called to give an account of his actions.

To gain a better understanding of this verse and its context, it’s helpful to examine the surrounding verses as well:

Luke 16:1-2 (KJV): “And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.”

Context:Jesus tells this parable to illustrate a spiritual lesson. The parable begins by introducing a rich man who had a steward, a manager responsible for overseeing his affairs. The steward was accused of wasting the rich man’s possessions.

The Master’s Call:The rich man summons the steward and confronts him about the accusations. The phrase “How is it that I hear this of thee?” implies surprise on the part of the master. The steward is called to explain himself and give an account of his stewardship.

Stewardship:The term “stewardship” refers to the responsible management or administration of resources entrusted to someone. In this case, the steward was entrusted with the rich man’s possessions, and his duty was to handle them wisely.

Accountability:The master demands an account of the steward’s actions. This indicates that the steward is answerable for his choices and how he managed the resources entrusted to him. The master wants to evaluate the steward’s faithfulness and determine whether he can continue in his position.

Consequence:The phrase “for thou mayest be no longer steward” implies that the steward’s position is in jeopardy. Based on the accusations and the need for an account, the steward’s future as a steward is uncertain. The master is prepared to remove him from his role if he is found guilty.

This parable continues with the steward’s response, as he considers his options and devises a plan to secure his future. Jesus uses the subsequent verses to draw spiritual lessons from the parable, highlighting the importance of wisely using worldly possessions and being faithful in handling them.

Overall, Luke 16:2 emphasizes the concept of accountability and the importance of responsible stewardship. It reminds us that God expects us to use the resources, gifts, and opportunities He has given us wisely and faithfully. We should be ready to give an account of how we have managed these blessings when called upon to do so.