The Parables of Jesus The Shrewd Steward

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1 The Parables of Jesus 29 July, 2012 Andy Lewis (Courtesy of A Closer Look The Parable of the Shrewd Manager Luke 16: 1 9 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 p 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? 1

2 6 Nine hundred gallons of olive oil, he replied. The manager told him, Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty. 7 Then he asked the second, And how much do you owe? A thousand bushels 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 p 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. Who is the audience for this parable? Luke 15:1 2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. Jesus has been speaking to tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, and teachers of the [Jewish] law. (Luke 15:1) To this audience is now added disciples To this audience is now added disciples, probably meaning Jesus followers, not only the 12 apostles in Luke 16 Luke 16:1 Jesus told his disciples:.. 2

3 Literal Bible translations (KJV, NKJV, etc.) add the word also before disciples. And he said also unto his disciples... Readers who don t look at Luke 15:1 3 can find the parable difficult, if not impossible, to understand. Who did the Rich Man s creditors think was being generous to them? The Master at first Perhaps later realize the Manager was being generous Context is important! Saved / Unsaved Why would the shrewd manager gain from lowering the bills of his master s creditors? After the manager lowered the bills, what choices did the master have? Good dpublic Rlti Relations for other potential ti employers 3

4 Revoke the reduction? Appears to take back gift Confirms he does not have control of his servants What does shrewd mean? Is it bad to be shrewd? Live with the reduction? Confirms their thoughts of generosity Keeps public image To be shrewd is to be keen witted, clever, or discerning in practical affairs. The dictionary equates shrewd to common sense. Shrewdness is not meant to be bad It is not associated with. being selfish stingy greedy hard hearted 4

5 What are some possible interpretations of this parable, especially Verses 8 9? 8 The master commended the dishonest managerbecause 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. At one level the meaning of the parable is straightforward enough, and is provided by Jesus himself: use worldly wealth to gain friends fi for yourselves. Many early church writers added You should use your advantages in this world to gain favor for yourself in the next. When, therefore, any one anticipating his end and his removal to the next world, lightens the burden of his sins by good deeds, either by canceling the obligations of debtors, or by supplying the poor with abundance. By giving what belongs to the Lord, he gains many friends, who will attest his goodness before the Judge, and secure him by their testimony a place of happiness. Who secures what though which actions????? Sola Scriptura Scripture alone the clear interpreting the unclear 5

6 This expanded meaning not supported by other scripture. Our standing in heaven not based on works or our deeds only those of Christ and his Grace towards us. The clear interpreting the unclear Ephesians 2:8 9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. So.. What are some other interpretations? 1) Equate dishonesty with being streetwise. 2) Right the wrong of improper interest 3) Eliminated his own commission. 4) Combination of Interest and Commission 5) Financial Loss but Improved Image for Both 6) Commending Motives not Methods 1) Equate dishonesty with being streetwise. The Message Bible Verses 8 9 Now here s a surprise: The Master praised the crooked Manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. 1) Equate dishonesty with being streetwise. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law abiding citizens On constant alert looking for angles surviving by their wits 6

7 1) Equate dishonesty with being streetwise. 2) Right the wrong of improper interest Jesus wants you to be smart in the same way but for what is right to get around the Judaic prohibition against usury Using adversity to stimulate creative survival Concentrate your attention on the bare essentials Let you Live Life Fully Not complacently just get by on good behavior Deut 23:19 19 Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest 2) Right the wrong of improper interest 2) Right the wrong of improper interest to get around the Judaic prohibition against usury The Manager thus might be reducing the loans to their original amount Records of a loan were sometimes inflated A loan of four hundred gallons of oil might be written up as eight hundred The loan would then appear to be without interest Taking the High Road but still decreasing his Master s profit 7

8 3) Eliminated his own commission. Would not have affected the Master negatively It was the custom for a steward to take a commission i on all sales of his Master s goods as this was his only means of making a salary In the present case the original loan was presumably 400 gallons of olive oil and 800 bushels of wheat 3) Eliminated his own commission. In reducing the debtors bills, he is not depriving his master of anything Sacrificing his own immediate interests by forgoing his legitimate commission It is for this that he is praised as astute. 4) Combination of Interest and Commission The Manager raised the price without the Master s knowledge Now deducting the excess profits he himself had tacked onto their accounts 4) Combination of Interest and Commission Earns both Gratitude of the Debtors Admiration of the Master The Master is not being cheated The Master commends the manager s shrewdness in getting in the good graces of the customers who owed the Master money 8

9 5) Financial Loss but Improved Image for Both improved the image of both Master and Manager Equivalent of having a sale! 6) Commending Motives not Methods Even a wicked manager has the foresight and wisdom to plan ahead and look out for his own future. He knows that his job is ending Prepares a path forward so he will be provided for and looked after by others. 6) Commending Motives not Methods Even the wicked can plan for their future in their selfish and narrow minded ways Are you planning for your future? Right interpretation? Depends upon where you are in your Christian life Parables are meant to apply to your life today Are you shrewd enough and clever enough, and do you have enough foresight to plan for the real future? (Vs 9 Eternal Dwellings) 9

10 Is Jesus commending dishonesty? (16:8) Jesus clearly is not praising dishonesty. Not saying that the ends justify the means. Manager s Principle is the right one. Even if he goes about it in the wrong way. The Master is Commending Dishonest manager for his shrewdness Not the shrewd manager for his dishonesty What is Jesus saying about (or to) the children of the light? Luke 16:8 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. Matthew 10:16 Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. (NLT) 10

11 Even the crooks of the world know that money is a tool and not an end in itself, Why is it so difficult to keep a proper perspective on money? Why can t people of faith understand that? Use your resources, whatever they are, and even the resources of others, to benefit those in need Is there some way that God wants you to change the way you handle your resources? Single Word Summary What resources do you have that you can use to help people in need? PLAN 11

12 Next Parables of Jesus The Cost of Discipleship Wedding Banquet Prodigal Son New Cloth / New Wine Kingdom of Heaven Master and Servant Rich Man and Lazarus 12