“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 “‘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 of the light.
Luke 16:1-8

 

 

 

I don’t easily understand how this parable is teaching better Christian living.  It describes a calculating and opportunistic manager who, being booted out the door when his dishonest practices are discovered, nevertheless manipulates his rich employer to ensure his future security.  Prudent?  apparently.  Shrewd? yes.  Unethical?  absolutely.

Yet the employer commends his former manager for his forward-thinking actions, as self-serving as they are.  And no, he doesn’t get his job back.  He is part of the world and its darkness.

But “people of the light” should be even more plan-full and prudent with the resources we are given so richly.  As we are illuminated by the Spirit, so shall we illuminate.

The Light is turned on.

 

May my eyes see, my ears hear, my heart understand.  He prepares me with parable.