Tuesday, March 28, 2023

If you just finished reading Luke 16, you may be a little confused about the “Parable of the Shrewd Manager.” To be perfectly honest, it’s one that made me scratch my head. Are you questioning whether you know what the word “shrewd” means?

It certainly seemed like Jesus was commending a dishonest man, but we know Jesus would not advocate such behavior. So, what is the message this parable has for us as 21st century followers?

Luke 16:8 
“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” 

So what is the point? Jesus answers in the next verse. 

Luke 16:9
“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” 

Jesus wasn’t advocating for dishonesty, but he was commending the man’s realization that money is a tool. How we spend our money reveals what we really value. The shrewd manager valued his earthly comfort. He knew that when he lost his job, he would need help if he wanted to survive with his dignity intact. So, he leveraged money to make friends. He racked up a “you owe me one” with some of the debtors in his community by fraudulently canceling a portion of their debt. Later, he could remind them of what he did, and they would feel obligated to help him, thus providing for his temporal needs. When we read a bit more, we can see what it means for us as believers.

Luke 16:10-11
¹⁰ “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. ¹¹ And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”

Jesus wants us to use our earthly resources to build up the Kingdom of God. Are you giving to the church regularly? Are you supporting those who are reaching the lost in our city, our country, and our world? When we steward our earthly resources well, we are given greater and more eternal responsibilities that will gain us riches in heaven. When we trust God with our financial resources, we are showing that money does not have a hold on us. It is not our master.

Luke 16:13
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Questions:
What hold does money have on your heart? Can you trust God enough to give him control of your financial resources? 

Next Steps:
If you have never given to the church, trust God this week and give something, even if it’s small. If you occasionally give to the church, take a step of faith and begin to give regularly. If you are regularly giving, ask God if there is something else you can do to show you trust him with your money. 

Prayer:
Lord, you have given me so much. When I think of those around the world who struggle to feed themselves and their families, I know I am very blessed. Thank you for allowing me to partner with you in spreading the Gospel throughout our world. Help me to take a step of faith and show that money is not my master—you are. Amen.