“Good Reward for Bad Behavior?”
Luke 16:1‑13
Jesus used parables to illustrate a point. Sometimes the message from those parables is straightforward. For example- (Luke 6:41)” Why do you seek the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”- Here Jesus perfectly illustrates how we find fault in others much more easily than finding any fault in ourselves, straight and to the point.
Today’s parable, however, is not so straightforward. Theologians from Augustine to Luther to Calvin to modern day have struggled, wrestled mightily with this parable, the parable of the shrewd steward, that seems to lift a dishonest, somewhat lazy steward as a shining example for us all. This parable is only found in Luke’s gospel, and possibly for good reason. The other evangelists may have decided not to include it in their gospels because it is difficult to understand. And yet, as is true with all parables, there is something Jesus is trying to tell us which we can apply to our lives here and now. To translate to modern ears, the parable today might be called the Parable of the Dishonest CFO.
Jesus begins, "There was a certain rich man… In Luke’s parables, the ones that begin with, “There was a rich man…” generally do not end well for the rich man. The rich man who seeks to build bigger storage barns drops dead. Then the next parable in Luke 16 also begins with that phrase, “There was a rich man…” We will look at his story next week, he who didn’t see the poverty around him, dies, and then suffers eternal torment.
Jesus continues. He had a household manager [or steward, oikonomos-oikonomos ]¼(from where we get the modern English word “economist”), and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.”
The rich man asks three short things, all in succession. “What is this I hear about you”? But he gives him no chance to explain, and quickly moves to “Give an account of your actions.” But before he can respond, the rich man tells him he is no longer employed. I think he was angry, had already looked at the books and concluded the manager had been dishonest or inept.
The Greek word used in this verse for squander, diaskorpizo, diaskorpizo, probably doesn’t refer so much to outright dishonesty. Still, to reckless and wasteful spending, as in describing the behavior of the prodigal son in Lk 15:13. He was inept at his job. He is not strong enough to dig for a living, nor is he willing to beg. You may remember from a few weeks ago a sermon I preached about the honor game. Honor and shame were significant in those days, and one’s status went up or down depending on one’s actions, as evidenced by invitations to sit at a meal and one's place of work. The manager knew his prospects for honor were about to plummet.
Facing the prospect of unemployment with no means by which to support himself, the manager takes action to ensure that he will be provided for after his dismissal by reducing the balance owed by his master’s debtors, thus putting himself in their gratitude, for which they will presumably repay him when he is no longer employed and needs a place to land.
His decision- cook the books even more. The debtors he summons are unaware that he no longer has authority over them. This section demonstrates that there is a system of patrons and clients firmly in place. The manager has a place of power over the rich man’s debtors. The manager's lack of knowledge about each debtor's outstanding balance highlights his ineptitude at his job.
The first debtor owes 100 jugs of olive oil, and the manager instructs him to reduce the amount owed by half.
Second debtor admits to owing 100 containers of wheat, and the manager tells him “quickly” to cut it down to eighty. “Quickly” suggests underhandedly. He reduces their debt and hopes for their gratitude.
How much was owed by the two debtors? One hundred jugs of olive oil equaled about 1,000 denarii, or three years' worth of wages for a day laborer. A hundred containers of wheat would translate to 3,000 denarii, or eight years’ wages. The rich man was engaged in trade with other wealthy men.
At the end of the parable, the master congratulates the manager because he has "acted shrewdly" (v. 8a), which makes us wonder if Jesus is encouraging us to follow a poor example.... It is surprising that the master would commend the manager for essentially cheating him (v. 8a), and that Jesus would hold the manager up as an example to emulate (v. 8b). Many who read this parable find it offensive.
Offensive-
- Why would Jesus find anything commendable in a person who acted dishonestly, or who did not do his job well? Some have tried to sanitize his actions, saying his reduction in the bills was subtracting the manager’s commission. Thus, he paid for his sins by penalizing his earnings. But the more consistent answer by most theologians is that he falsified amounts owed to his boss to gain the favor of those who might later offer him hospitality, or even employment in his own time of need.
- Second offense- the use of shrewd and clever to describe the children of this world as better than the children of light- generally interpreted as Jesus’ followers. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Aren’t disciples those who follow Jesus’ teachings and spread his light?
What then do we do with this parable and with its anti-hero being lifted up? It is difficult to perceive of a “shrewd saint.” Theologian Justo Gonzalez writes, “ It is not uncommon to see on our church windows portrayals of a father receiving a son who has strayed, or a sower spreading seed, or of a Samaritan helping a man by the roadside. But I have never seen a window depicting a man with a sly look, saying to another, ‘Falsify the bill, make it look less than it really is.”
Should we celebrate his cleverness, applaud his self-preservation, or feel guilty for holding him up as some Biblical example?
One thing can be said. In this parable, everyone wins.
- Although the rich man has been cheated out of profits, he now has great street cred (read honor); he has the reputation of being generous: his debtors likely sing his praises in the streets, and he still will receive investments back from his loans. Although his economic capital is depleted, his social capital has grown due to his “generosity.”
- The debtors now have a new lease on life. They owe less, and are thankful that the manager lessened their load, and they have no guilt connected to what happened. They did as was instructed, giving thanks for the rich Man’s generosity.
- The manager is set as well. His honor is intact. He does not have to dig or beg. It is even possible that his boss will write him a letter of commendation, based on verse 8. The debtors will also befriend him, as he has reduced their debts; therefore, they are likely to offer him a place to live and possibly a job if needed.
Everybody wins! Happy ending!
What then can we learn from this strange story? After spending much time pondering it, here is what I think Jesus was trying to teach the disciples that day. It applies to us as well.
- Jesus shares the parable of the shrewd manager, teaching us the importance of being wise and resourceful with what we have. Be wise in how you deal with your economic resources. Paula and I have spent the last month working with an investment planner, reviewing our financial resources to ensure our retirement years are financially secure. One of the things we did was look at precisely what we were investing in. We asked our financial planner to help us with socially responsible investing. ESG funds are funds that have met all the ESG characteristics, including Environmental issues, Social issues, and corporate Governance issues. Socially conscious investing tends to avoid problematic companies and businesses dealing with harmful substances. We did not want to invest any of our money in companies that profited from warfare, weaponry, or caused environmental harm. It does mean a slightly lower return, but not much. And for us, since all things come to us from God, we want to do our best to use those resources wisely, to reflect God’s intention to make the world on earth as it is in heaven. This is one example of being wise and resourceful with what we have.
Then come these three little sayings that Luke uses as a bridge for next Sunday’s story about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Verses 10-12- The one faithful in today’s nickels and dimes is the one to be trusted with the big account. The realism of these sayings lies in the fact that life consists of a series of seemingly small opportunities. Most of us this week will not…end a war, dine with a queen, convert a nation, or cure cancer. More likely, the week will present no more than a chance to give water, write a note, visit a friend, vote, teach Sunday school, share a meal, tell a child an important story, go to choir, or feed a neighbor’s cat. Whover is faithful in very little is also faithful in much. The lesson here- Jesus emphasizes that faithfulness in small matters leads to trust in greater responsibilities.
Finally comes verse 13. Jesus uses an illustration common to first-century life- servants and masters. Enslavement was part of the everyday fabric of first-century society. Jesus says a servant cannot serve two masters. One is either a servant of money and therefore against God, or one is a servant of God and against money…This lesson calls us to examine our priorities and ensure that our devotion to God remains undivided. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 reminds us, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their own hearts with many pangs.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us, “No one who loves money can ever have enough, and no one who loves wealth enjoys any return from it.”
So, to sum up, first, I would not recommend this parable as an introduction to Jesus’ teachings. Unlike other parables, the overall message is not easily found. Second, I will not likely preach on this parable again anytime soon😉. Third, all that we are and have comes from God (Psalm 24:1). We are called to use it wisely(shrewdly?). Next, be faithful in little and in much. And finally, let your devotion to God be first in all areas of your life. Alleluia! Amen.
