Be a Shrewd Operator
Be a Shrewd Operator
The recent melt down on Wall Street calls to question the greed of our capitalistic system. Corporate executives of commercial and investment banks and mortgage companies and individuals in the “Main Street” are all to be blamed. Everybody was in the greed business – to have more of what they are not entitled to. The individual wanted a house he can not afford and the bankers wanted interest they are not entitled to because they knew from beginning that these were bogus loans people could never be able to pay.
This brings us to this weeks lesson on the parable of the shrewd manager (operator).This is one of the most misunderstood parables but not to Jesus who told it. Are we to use dishonest means to acquire wealth and then turn around and give it away in order to make room for heavenly reward? What are we to do with the wealth/resources God has put in our hands knowing there will be an ultimate world-wide melt down and we can’t take our money with us when we die anyway? Let’s hear Jesus.
Luke 16: 1-8
1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'
3"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg— 4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6" 'Eight hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,' he replied.
"The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'
7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'
" 'A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,' he replied.
"He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'
8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Here are my observations from the passage in addition to the ones you may have.
1. The people that Jesus was speaking to is very clear and not in debate. He spoke to his disciples, his followers and we Christians. This is confirmed by his statement, “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. We are the “people of the light” (John 12:36 and Ephesians 5:8). So, is Jesus saying Christians are stupid when it comes to using their resources for God? That is exactly what he is saying and warning us not to be stupid. Let’s go back to the story.
2. Like the manager we must all give account of what God has entrusted to us. This “manager was accused of wasting his possession”. Are you wasting your possession of gifts, talents, money, positions of influence that God has given you? All of us have possessions and are in positions of influence at home, work or school. To give a proper account means we must handle the resources well now. How do we do it?
3. Cancel and reduce the debt of those who owe. Notice that the manager acknowledged that he was going to loose his position and cannot take his master’s wealth with him. The best thing was to plan for the future and sow to the future with the hope that those people will remember him when his rough times come.
4. What about giving away his master’s wealth? Is it right to give away what does not belong to you? It is not morally right but that is what he did. Jesus is not saying go and steal and give a big offering at church. Unfortunately some people are doing exactly that (stealing) and the pastors do not care how they made the money. Rather, Jesus is saying, “This guy is wise and shrewd for recognizing that he cannot keep what he now has so the best thing is for him to use it to lighten other peoples’ load”. Jesus is not saying be morally dishonest. Rather, recognize that we are stewards for a season and to make the best use of our positions and possessions.
5. What has Jesus entrusted to us? He has entrusted material wealth as well as spiritual wealth. Lets hear Jesus’ own conclusion from the parable (Luke 16:10-12). 10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
6. Drawing from the above scripture, no wonder why many of us are not able to make disciples for Jesus as he commanded (Mathew 28: 18). If we are not able to handle worldly riches, how would God give us true riches (a new Christian/believer who is precious to Jesus) to look after? Our whole life is connected and that is the point Jesus is making. How we handle our money and what we invest in often reflects our spiritual state. Our check book is the best measure of where our treasures are because that is where our hearts are?
Are you making friends with the poor and those in need? Jesus is saying, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings”. Jesus is not saying use your wealth to gain and guarantee your eternal life. Your wealth will never buy your way to heaven. Jesus’ death on the cross has paid in full for our sins and guaranteed our eternal life. Jesus is saying plan in advance for a welcoming party by those whom you have helped while here on earth. Budget your time and money to help others otherwise you will never do it. Giving has to be intentional and done with wisdom. May God help us to help others! Amen.
The recent melt down on Wall Street calls to question the greed of our capitalistic system. Corporate executives of commercial and investment banks and mortgage companies and individuals in the “Main Street” are all to be blamed. Everybody was in the greed business – to have more of what they are not entitled to. The individual wanted a house he can not afford and the bankers wanted interest they are not entitled to because they knew from beginning that these were bogus loans people could never be able to pay.
This brings us to this weeks lesson on the parable of the shrewd manager (operator).This is one of the most misunderstood parables but not to Jesus who told it. Are we to use dishonest means to acquire wealth and then turn around and give it away in order to make room for heavenly reward? What are we to do with the wealth/resources God has put in our hands knowing there will be an ultimate world-wide melt down and we can’t take our money with us when we die anyway? Let’s hear Jesus.
Luke 16: 1-8
1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'
3"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg— 4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6" 'Eight hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,' he replied.
"The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'
7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'
" 'A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,' he replied.
"He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'
8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Here are my observations from the passage in addition to the ones you may have.
1. The people that Jesus was speaking to is very clear and not in debate. He spoke to his disciples, his followers and we Christians. This is confirmed by his statement, “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. We are the “people of the light” (John 12:36 and Ephesians 5:8). So, is Jesus saying Christians are stupid when it comes to using their resources for God? That is exactly what he is saying and warning us not to be stupid. Let’s go back to the story.
2. Like the manager we must all give account of what God has entrusted to us. This “manager was accused of wasting his possession”. Are you wasting your possession of gifts, talents, money, positions of influence that God has given you? All of us have possessions and are in positions of influence at home, work or school. To give a proper account means we must handle the resources well now. How do we do it?
3. Cancel and reduce the debt of those who owe. Notice that the manager acknowledged that he was going to loose his position and cannot take his master’s wealth with him. The best thing was to plan for the future and sow to the future with the hope that those people will remember him when his rough times come.
4. What about giving away his master’s wealth? Is it right to give away what does not belong to you? It is not morally right but that is what he did. Jesus is not saying go and steal and give a big offering at church. Unfortunately some people are doing exactly that (stealing) and the pastors do not care how they made the money. Rather, Jesus is saying, “This guy is wise and shrewd for recognizing that he cannot keep what he now has so the best thing is for him to use it to lighten other peoples’ load”. Jesus is not saying be morally dishonest. Rather, recognize that we are stewards for a season and to make the best use of our positions and possessions.
5. What has Jesus entrusted to us? He has entrusted material wealth as well as spiritual wealth. Lets hear Jesus’ own conclusion from the parable (Luke 16:10-12). 10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
6. Drawing from the above scripture, no wonder why many of us are not able to make disciples for Jesus as he commanded (Mathew 28: 18). If we are not able to handle worldly riches, how would God give us true riches (a new Christian/believer who is precious to Jesus) to look after? Our whole life is connected and that is the point Jesus is making. How we handle our money and what we invest in often reflects our spiritual state. Our check book is the best measure of where our treasures are because that is where our hearts are?
Are you making friends with the poor and those in need? Jesus is saying, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings”. Jesus is not saying use your wealth to gain and guarantee your eternal life. Your wealth will never buy your way to heaven. Jesus’ death on the cross has paid in full for our sins and guaranteed our eternal life. Jesus is saying plan in advance for a welcoming party by those whom you have helped while here on earth. Budget your time and money to help others otherwise you will never do it. Giving has to be intentional and done with wisdom. May God help us to help others! Amen.
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