August 10, 2013

“Shrewd Squanderer”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 16:1-9

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Jesus tells another story.
Another example.

A rich man’s manager had been squandering his employer’s possessions.

He was demoted/fired.
The boss demanded an accounting of the funds.

The manager then went to those who owed the boss money.
He cut deals with them.

Discounted settlement for payment today.
Nothing new about that.

When the boss heard, he praised the manager for being shrewd.

The manager’s motivation was not to recover the boss’ accounts.
No.
The manager wanted to be remembered favorably among people lest he need help in the future. He was too weak to dig, to proud to beg.

Jesus said that the “sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.”

What does this mean?

The men of the world...unsaved...know how to do business, how to handle situations, etc. with fellow unbelievers. The manager knew that he would find favor among the clients and some favor with the boss.

The sons of light are believers.
We should know how to “deal with our own kind”. Be certain to read several translations. There are some nuances…

Jesus was saying this to believers.
Use the “wealth of unrighteousness”...the money of the world...the resources we have...to “make friends for yourself”. Not in the way that the shrewd manager did, but to the work of the Kingdom, so that “they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

“Eternal dwellings”?

Yes.

Jesus is pointing to being received into glory.

We should use that which we have so that we will find favor with those who will receive us into the eternal dwellings.

Do we?