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The Dishonest Manager
I've always considered today's parable to be a very interesting one. Compared to a lot of them, I think the point is a lot harder to understand, mostly because it appears that Jesus is telling us to follow the manager's dishonest ways! So what's going on here? What's the point?
In a nutshell:
"Traditionally Luke 16:1–13 has been understood as portraying a steward who cheats his master but who is commended for his wisdom, a quality to be imitated by Christ’s disciples in their use of material possessions in light of the coming...kingdom." [1]
There has definitely been a lot of discussion about the meaning(s) of this parable, but this is still the best understanding by far. It's more difficult than a lot of parables, but I think we can be reasonably certain that this is the point, even if it does seem unusual for Jesus to use a negative action to illustrate a positive quality we should emulate.
Let's dig a little deeper on this:
"His master got to know of his action and called him a clever rascal. No more than this need be understood of Jesus’ remark that 'the master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly' (Lk 16:8). The master may well have recognized some analogy between the steward’s conduct and the methods by which his own wealth had been amassed. 'You see,' said Jesus, 'worldly people, with no thoughts beyond this present life, will sometimes behave more sensibly and providently than other-worldly people, ‘the children of light.’ They will use material wealth to prepare for their earthly future; why cannot the children of light use it to prepare for their eternal future?" [2]
A couple of thoughts now about what Jesus is and is NOT saying here about "material possessions". The temptation for most people in reading something like this is to take it to the furthest extreme. "I should be rich and have a huge house so I can use it for God and host lots of people in my big house." There is nothing wrong with money or with a big house, but the subtle deception that often happens is that we can use the "for God" phrase to justify almost any material possession that we would like to have. This is a difficult issue. A VERY difficult one. Jesus cautions about money in other places because He knows that it can ensnare very easily. It is not about how much or how little money you have, but in how you use those material possessions. Are enjoying them now, or are you utilizing those resources you have to store up treasures in heaven? Often the problem with earthly riches is that we enjoy them so much now that we are blinded to eternal treasures. This is when these "blessings" become curses to us. Jesus illustrates this very shortly after this parable. There is a short interlude where Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, but then He begins with the story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus" (in tomorrow's reading) to illustrate some of the issues relating to wealth and eternity.
One important thing to remember in all of this: I know it's a little cliche, but everyone who is reading this is wealthy by the world's standards. As people living in the USA, our wealth far exceeds that of most of the world. So how will we use it? Will we "who have been given much" use it well, or will we be unfaithful, selfish stewards of what God has given us? Here are some closing thoughts/questions from Darrell Bock about how to best use our resources:
"The variety of options is almost overwhelming, but a text like this calls us to use our resources in ways that contribute to effective ministry. We must say to a needy world, “We care for you, and so does our God.” The question also presses at the level of values. Do I work to obtain a certain salary? Or do I serve because of the call and merits of the ministry God gives to me, whether they be in professional ministry or in a secular pursuit? Is the key issue in my work how much I make or how I can serve and do so faithfully? Subtly even those who do not make megamillions can be distracted from serving because of preoccupation with how much they bring in. We must be responsible with how much we make in order to care for those we are responsible for, but how often are our choices dictated by wants rather than by needs? The treasures we most need to pursue are those that cause God to be pleased." [3] (bolding mine)
The Dishonest Manager
I've always considered today's parable to be a very interesting one. Compared to a lot of them, I think the point is a lot harder to understand, mostly because it appears that Jesus is telling us to follow the manager's dishonest ways! So what's going on here? What's the point?
In a nutshell:
"Traditionally Luke 16:1–13 has been understood as portraying a steward who cheats his master but who is commended for his wisdom, a quality to be imitated by Christ’s disciples in their use of material possessions in light of the coming...kingdom." [1]
There has definitely been a lot of discussion about the meaning(s) of this parable, but this is still the best understanding by far. It's more difficult than a lot of parables, but I think we can be reasonably certain that this is the point, even if it does seem unusual for Jesus to use a negative action to illustrate a positive quality we should emulate.
Let's dig a little deeper on this:
"His master got to know of his action and called him a clever rascal. No more than this need be understood of Jesus’ remark that 'the master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly' (Lk 16:8). The master may well have recognized some analogy between the steward’s conduct and the methods by which his own wealth had been amassed. 'You see,' said Jesus, 'worldly people, with no thoughts beyond this present life, will sometimes behave more sensibly and providently than other-worldly people, ‘the children of light.’ They will use material wealth to prepare for their earthly future; why cannot the children of light use it to prepare for their eternal future?" [2]
A couple of thoughts now about what Jesus is and is NOT saying here about "material possessions". The temptation for most people in reading something like this is to take it to the furthest extreme. "I should be rich and have a huge house so I can use it for God and host lots of people in my big house." There is nothing wrong with money or with a big house, but the subtle deception that often happens is that we can use the "for God" phrase to justify almost any material possession that we would like to have. This is a difficult issue. A VERY difficult one. Jesus cautions about money in other places because He knows that it can ensnare very easily. It is not about how much or how little money you have, but in how you use those material possessions. Are enjoying them now, or are you utilizing those resources you have to store up treasures in heaven? Often the problem with earthly riches is that we enjoy them so much now that we are blinded to eternal treasures. This is when these "blessings" become curses to us. Jesus illustrates this very shortly after this parable. There is a short interlude where Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, but then He begins with the story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus" (in tomorrow's reading) to illustrate some of the issues relating to wealth and eternity.
One important thing to remember in all of this: I know it's a little cliche, but everyone who is reading this is wealthy by the world's standards. As people living in the USA, our wealth far exceeds that of most of the world. So how will we use it? Will we "who have been given much" use it well, or will we be unfaithful, selfish stewards of what God has given us? Here are some closing thoughts/questions from Darrell Bock about how to best use our resources:
"The variety of options is almost overwhelming, but a text like this calls us to use our resources in ways that contribute to effective ministry. We must say to a needy world, “We care for you, and so does our God.” The question also presses at the level of values. Do I work to obtain a certain salary? Or do I serve because of the call and merits of the ministry God gives to me, whether they be in professional ministry or in a secular pursuit? Is the key issue in my work how much I make or how I can serve and do so faithfully? Subtly even those who do not make megamillions can be distracted from serving because of preoccupation with how much they bring in. We must be responsible with how much we make in order to care for those we are responsible for, but how often are our choices dictated by wants rather than by needs? The treasures we most need to pursue are those that cause God to be pleased." [3] (bolding mine)
[1] Mathewson, Dave L., vol. 38, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society Volume 38, 1 (Lynchburg, VA: The Evangelical Theological Society, 1995), 27.
[2] Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce and Manfred T. Brauch, Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity, 1997), 478.
[3] Darrell L. Bock, The NIV Application Commentary: Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 423-24.
[2] Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce and Manfred T. Brauch, Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity, 1997), 478.
[3] Darrell L. Bock, The NIV Application Commentary: Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 423-24.
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