Author’s Introduction

Certain lovers of Scripture, upon reading the parable of the unrighteous steward (manager) (Lk. 16:1–13) and of forsaking all for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, and receiving a hundredfold all that was forsaken even in this age (Mk. 10:29–30), have encountered perplexities in their hearts, perplexities that have seemed very difficult. Namely: 1) how (in the first) the unrighteous steward is commended and presented as an example to those seeking eternal salvation, as though by unrighteous gain one could open for oneself the path to the Kingdom? and 2) how (in the second) is the hundredfold reception of all that was forsaken justified in fact here below?

After setting forth several remarks to clarify the meaning of these passages and to dispel the perplexities, it seemed useful to compose a more detailed explanation of them and to present it to the attention of those reading in the supposition that such perplexities are not impossible for others also, and in other places.