Unrighteous Stewards in Biblical and Modern Times

Abstract

Recent accounting scandals have shaken the U.S. stock market and faith in the ethics of the capitalist system. We show that these accounting scandals and the parable of the unrighteous steward given in Luke 16 shed light on each other. We argue that the morals derived from the parable of the unrighteous steward include (1) that we should give alms; (2) that we should not be like the Pharisees who replaced Gods requirements with legalism; and (3) that, when placed in stewardship positions, we should be cautious that we do not allow our shrewdness to govern and, in so doing, ignore Gods requirements.Jonathan E. Leightner and Pamela Z. Jackson, "Unrighteous Stewards in Biblical and Modern Times," Journal of Markets & Morality 10, no. 2 (Fall 2007): 339-355