Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/422

 parable is  a  very  simple  one  indeed,  that  in  the  unjust steward's  false  sense  of  security  and  sudden  embarrassment and  cunning  method  of  providing  for  the future, Our  Lord  teaches  us  to  employ  in  gaining heaven by  means  of  our  temporal  possessions,  if  not greater, at  least  as  great  prudence  as  is  exhibited  by worldlings  in  their  provision  for  the  day  of  adversity or for  their  declining  years. For the  children  of  this world are  wiser  in  their  generation  than  the  children of light.

First of  all,  then,  we  have  to  consider  the  utter lack of  solicitude  which  characterized  the  unfaithful steward. His rich  master,  trusting  him  implicitly, had left  the  administration  of  the  estate  so  entirely in his  hands  that  the  sense  of  stewardship  had gradually given  way  to  a  proprietary  feeling. How true that  is  to  Nature  I  You  have  noticed,  no  doubt, with what  easy  carelessness  bank  cashiers  and  managers of  large  concerns  handle  immense  sums  of money,  and  from  the  sad  details  of  court  proceedings all of  us  have  learned  how  easily  conscience  becomes blunted with  usage  and  how  often  the  coin  sticks  to the  fingers  through  which  it  passes. An Italian  proverb has  it  that  no  great  river  was  ever  yet  without  its muddy water. Nor is  this  true  alone  of  the  business world; it  is  verified  also  in  the  greater  universe of men  and  things. The Lord's  is  the  earth and the  fulness  thereof,  and  men  are  but  the  managers of  His  vast  estate. The world  is  like  a  great and beautiful  mansion,  with  its  lofty  blue  ceilings  and its brilliant  lights  and  its  carpets  of  velvety  green  and