Slices
Prepare
Think of moments over the past 24 hours when you didn’t put the things of the kingdom first, and ask for God’s forgiveness.
Bible passage
The parable of the shrewd manager
16 Jesus told his disciples: ‘There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So 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 – 4 I 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 ‘“Three thousand litres of olive oil,” he replied.
‘The manager told him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifteen hundred.”
7 ‘Then he asked the second, “And how much do you owe?”
‘“Thirty tons of wheat,” he replied.
‘He told him, “Take your bill and make it twenty-four.”
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. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
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. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’
14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
Additional teachings
16 ‘The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
18 ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Explore
Luke chapter 16 is about material possessions, and being held accountable for what we’ve been given. We need to see today’s uncomfortable story in its wider context of both this chapter and Luke’s Gospel. Is Jesus teaching his disciples (v 1) to be dishonest? Or is he illustrating a point? As ever, he says that when the kingdom of God emerges (v 16), things are turned upside down: new friendships are established (v 9), and there is a change in attitude towards wealth (vs 10–13.) Christ’s followers are to be children of the light, putting their trust in God, not in money and possessions; serving God alone, not material things that don’t last (v 13).
When Jesus comments on his story (vs 8b–13), it’s not shrewdness he commends – that’s for the people of this world. Jesus focuses on being trustworthy and faithful even in little things (vs 10–12). Both the servant and the master liked to be shrewd, prudent, wise. But God’s values are different from those of the world, whether in material things or from whom we seek approval (v 15). What we have been entrusted with, however large or small, is where we need to remain faithful and obedient (vs 10–13,18).
Respond
The preacher CH Spurgeon once said that everyone will one day have to give an account of their time, talents, substance (or who you are), and influence. What will you say?
Deeper Bible study
‘Money and success don’t change people; they merely amplify what is already there.’1
This is a curious parable. The manager, realising that his employment is ending imminently, devises a cunning plan – he gets rather creative with his accounting, in an attempt to win friends for himself for the challenging future he is facing. Amazingly, Jesus appears to commend this apparent dishonesty. Scholars have interpreted this story in all sorts of complicated and convoluted ways, including the possibility that the servant is actually righting the wrongs of his master.
It’s important to remember, though, that parables are not usually overcomplicated. Perhaps Jesus is asking a simple question – how can you wisely invest the wealth and resources that are under your control right now? How can you imaginatively use them for something permanent and positive, which makes a real difference in peoples’ lives? The story is certainly highlighting the importance of trustworthiness and honesty, as Jesus emphasises in verses 10–12. The point is that as we are faithful with little, God will entrust us with much more; when we are faithful with worldly riches, we will be entrusted with ‘true riches’ (v 11).
Money has a way of testing our integrity and showing our true character. While the story is encouraging us to make wise use of the financial opportunities we have, wisdom in this case is about helping others, especially spiritually and unselfishly, in a way that brings an eternal benefit from our earthly investments. Perhaps this could even be throwing a party for neighbours and making friends through generosity and celebration. In light of the larger context of chapter 15, this would certainly be an appropriate investment.
Our use of money is a good indicator of the lordship of Christ in our lives. How is your stewardship of God’s resources honouring to him and to others? How can you invest your God-given wealth in ways that will bless others and foster faith and obedience?
1 Will Smith, b 1968
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 1; John 21
Pray for Scripture Union
Thousands of Light Parties will be taking place across the country today. Pray that God will open the hearts of the children, young people and families who attend and that there will be good follow-up.
