“The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” In this statement Jesus was saying the unsaved are wiser in each generation than the saved. This statement always discomposed me because I wondered why Jesus would conclude that those in the world will always be wiser than believers in each generation. This statement seems unfair, yet it has proved to be true somehow because it seems non-believers in each generation have always had an advantage.
BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA
The context in which the key is used is undoubtedly important to understand what Jesus really meant. By us studying the parable, we can extrapolate information that helps us as believers to have an advantage in each generation.
The statement was used when Jesus used the parable of a steward who misused his master’s money and was going to be fired for this. When the steward learned he would likely lose his job, he did something dishonest and reduced the debt of all the master’s debtors so that if he got fired, these debtors would favour him. This was a dishonest move and he had no authority to continue handling his master’s business. Even though the manner in which he conducted himself was unjust and dishonest, when the master heard what the steward did, he commended that steward for his wisdom. How could such a move be regarded as wisdom? The master was not commending the dishonesty of the steward, but he was inspired by his thoughtfulness to handle present situations in preparation for his future. The steward had foresight and planned for his life after he lost his employment
Those in the world know how to make and handle money more than the saints. Those in the world like the unjust steward are focused on the immediate needs and to some extent will sacrifice everything in pursuit of present- day comforts. The unjust steward said “I know I cannot beg” and he could not imagine a life without the advantages of wealth and the position he had.
In an effort to maintain this lifestyle, he planned for his future and put in place structures that would support him after he lost his job. This is the attitude. Jesus commended the ability to thoughtfully plan for the future. The future of the church is not in this generation, but in the coming age/dimension (New Jerusalem) and Jesus knew that the unsaved would always have an advantage in their generation because he expected believers not to focus on this plain of life, but on a life that would follow after this life. But if believers are to put the same thoughtfulness in life like the unjust steward, they can succeed in their generation. The key in the parable of the unjust steward is the ability to prepare and plan for the future and we as believers if we can pick up this key we will live a fulfilled lives. What plans do you have for your future and even the coming weeks?
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years and what structures have you put in place to see the manifestation of that desire and plans?
- Humphrey Mtandwa is an anointed minister of the gospel and teacher of the Word based in South Africa. He has written several books including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness and Theophany. He blogs at mtandwa.blogspot.com and can be contacted via e-mail or WhatsApp on +27 610286350.
