This parable has 3 characters:
→ a manager
→ his boss (a rich man)
→ debtors to the rich man
The manager is about to lose his position because his boss found out that he has been "wasting his goods". But before he gets fired, he finds his boss's debtors and tells them to write down a lower amount than what they actually owe. He gets on their good side and gains friends, so when he loses his job he has places to go to. His boss finds out what the manager has been doing and it says, "the master commended the dishonest manager because he had acting shrewdly" (v. 8).
Confused, I searched for commentaries and videos. The main message I'm getting from this parable is that Jesus is using a dishonest manager to show a number of characteristics we shouldn't do and then from verses 9-15 teaches us what to actually do.
→ a manager
→ his boss (a rich man)
→ debtors to the rich man
The manager is about to lose his position because his boss found out that he has been "wasting his goods". But before he gets fired, he finds his boss's debtors and tells them to write down a lower amount than what they actually owe. He gets on their good side and gains friends, so when he loses his job he has places to go to. His boss finds out what the manager has been doing and it says, "the master commended the dishonest manager because he had acting shrewdly" (v. 8).
Confused, I searched for commentaries and videos. The main message I'm getting from this parable is that Jesus is using a dishonest manager to show a number of characteristics we shouldn't do and then from verses 9-15 teaches us what to actually do.
Man in the parable
1) He's smart with money but is deceitful.
2) He prepares for the future knowing that he's going to lose his position.
3) He makes friends so when he does lose his job he has friends that will help him. "I know what I'll do so that, when I lost my job here, people will welcome me into their houses" (v. 4).
But he's doing all this to benefit himself. He's selfish, deceitful, and zealous for all the wrong reasons. I love how Jesus tells this parable when a group of Pharisees are listening because the manager basically represents them. "The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus" (v. 14).
In the second part of the parable Jesus says, "For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than the people of the light."
People of this world = those who are still in the darkness
People of the light = saved, disciples
In the second part of the parable Jesus says, "For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than the people of the light."
People of this world = those who are still in the darkness
People of the light = saved, disciples
"If we pursued the Kingdom of God with the same vigor and zeal that the children of this world pursue profits and pleasure, we would live in an entirely different world."
We need to be more zealous than those in the world when it comes to our walk with God!
He transitions into teaching them about "true riches". Being good with money doesn't matter if it doesn't have an eternal focus.
Jesus uses a dishonest man to show what we should do instead.
1) Be smart with your what you're given. "“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. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (v. 10-11).
→ Know what you need and know what you can give.
→ If we can't even handle what God is giving us on Earth how can we handle what we're given in the Kingdom!
→ If we can't even handle what God is giving us on Earth how can we handle what we're given in the Kingdom!
2) Prepare for the eternal future. "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."
→ Are you remembering that we have an eternal home and that we should be focusing our money on eternal investments?
→ Are you remembering that we have an eternal home and that we should be focusing our money on eternal investments?
→ Not only will we lose our possessions but we will also lose our position here on Earth, and as disciples we have a position as an ambassador of Christ.
→ The man knew that he was going to lose his job, so he prepared for his future living situation. As disciples are we preparing for our life after this one?
→ The man knew that he was going to lose his job, so he prepared for his future living situation. As disciples are we preparing for our life after this one?
→ Are you preparing others for the future that is to come?
3) Make friends. "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings" (v. 9).
→ the man in the parable made friends to fulfill his own needs, but Jesus is telling us to use money to help each other rather than helping ourselves.
→ It also reminded me of the verse where disciples were meeting each other's needs,"They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need" (Acts 2:45)
→ It also reminded me of the verse where disciples were meeting each other's needs,"They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need" (Acts 2:45)
Irony ?
When the rich man finds out what the manager was doing he "commends the dishonest manager because he had done wisely"(v. 8 KJV).
Or in NIV it uses the word "shrewd" which means, "taking advantage of hidden opportunities.
But would a boss really be complimenting someone who is stealing his money?
But would a boss really be complimenting someone who is stealing his money?
Perhaps this was irony for the Pharisees practicing deceit to benefit themselves + stealing money, to show that God will never say, "good job you're smart."
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.” Luke 16:13
Reflection:
This was an interesting parable to dissect and learn. It convicted me because I felt like I sounded like the dishonest manager. God has given me a position as a disciple as His ambassador and the gift of the Holy Spirit, and there are some days where I do feel like I'm "wasting his goods". How am I using what God has given me? If I can't even take care of the small tasks/gifts how can I take care of the big ones yet to come?
Something as simple as doing well in school, having good time management, doing simple Bible studies with friends are things I should be doing with zeal!
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.” Luke 16:13
Reflection:
This was an interesting parable to dissect and learn. It convicted me because I felt like I sounded like the dishonest manager. God has given me a position as a disciple as His ambassador and the gift of the Holy Spirit, and there are some days where I do feel like I'm "wasting his goods". How am I using what God has given me? If I can't even take care of the small tasks/gifts how can I take care of the big ones yet to come?
Something as simple as doing well in school, having good time management, doing simple Bible studies with friends are things I should be doing with zeal!
This video helped explain the parable for me.
