The parable of the Dishonest Manager is probably one of the most debated parables Jesus told. What is his point? That the master commends the dishonest manager? That the manager is shrewd? The disregard for another’s property?
I believe the overall sense of this parable and chapter has to do with our attitude toward money and worldly wealth. “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The dishonest manager had lived for earthly pleasure – “unrighteous wealth.” Jesus says he was wasting his master’s possessions. I recently heard about a non-profit organization that would go out to lunch every Friday for a time of fellowship and drinks. When a new chairman came to that organization he thought it odd that they would drink during their work day, and then realized that they went home early on Fridays, shortening their work week by about 6 hours. In addition, when he asked how this was paid for, he discovered that it was paid for through the donations that came into the organization. When he insisted that the practice change, he was met with heavy resistance. Some of those people cared more about their earthly pleasure than they did about their integrity to do their jobs and pursue the mission of the organization.
Jesus challenges us to look at what is most important to us.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus again directs our attention to the use of our worldly wealth. This beggar named Lazarus lived outside the rich man’s gate. The implication of the story is that the rich man did nothing to help Lazarus, although he himself ate quite richly and hosted feasts. When they both die is says that Lazarus went “to Abraham’s bosom” or “Abraham’s side.” This is a euphemism for going to heaven where the faithful live on after death. The rich man when to Hades where he was in torment.
Was it because Lazarus was poor that he went heaven while the rich man was rich and therefore went to Hell? I don’t think so. I think it was because he used his worldly wealth in a faithless manner, never having compassion on beggars like Lazarus, nor on any other good. For is we are not moved by the plight of our fellow man, whom we can see, how will we be moved to use our worldly abundance for spiritual purposes which are harder to see? His use of his wealth was his confession of faith.
What does our use of worldly wealth say about our faith?
I guess a better way to get at this is to ask the question: What is more valuable? Is your comfort, pleasure, and convenience more valuable, or it the faith, forgiveness and eternal life Jesus won for you more valuable?
I think we’d all say faith, forgiveness, eternal life, God’s love and salvation and the rich blessings of God are more valuable. But there are times that we live with priorities that show the opposite is true – that we’re living for the temporal things of this life. When we see that, we need to repent and run back to that forgiveness we cherish so deeply. Then let that priority change your earthly values.
Father forgive me for my earthly views. Help me to mature in Jesus through the work of Your Spirit. Amen.
I believe the overall sense of this parable and chapter has to do with our attitude toward money and worldly wealth. “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The dishonest manager had lived for earthly pleasure – “unrighteous wealth.” Jesus says he was wasting his master’s possessions. I recently heard about a non-profit organization that would go out to lunch every Friday for a time of fellowship and drinks. When a new chairman came to that organization he thought it odd that they would drink during their work day, and then realized that they went home early on Fridays, shortening their work week by about 6 hours. In addition, when he asked how this was paid for, he discovered that it was paid for through the donations that came into the organization. When he insisted that the practice change, he was met with heavy resistance. Some of those people cared more about their earthly pleasure than they did about their integrity to do their jobs and pursue the mission of the organization.
Jesus challenges us to look at what is most important to us.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus again directs our attention to the use of our worldly wealth. This beggar named Lazarus lived outside the rich man’s gate. The implication of the story is that the rich man did nothing to help Lazarus, although he himself ate quite richly and hosted feasts. When they both die is says that Lazarus went “to Abraham’s bosom” or “Abraham’s side.” This is a euphemism for going to heaven where the faithful live on after death. The rich man when to Hades where he was in torment.
Was it because Lazarus was poor that he went heaven while the rich man was rich and therefore went to Hell? I don’t think so. I think it was because he used his worldly wealth in a faithless manner, never having compassion on beggars like Lazarus, nor on any other good. For is we are not moved by the plight of our fellow man, whom we can see, how will we be moved to use our worldly abundance for spiritual purposes which are harder to see? His use of his wealth was his confession of faith.
What does our use of worldly wealth say about our faith?
I guess a better way to get at this is to ask the question: What is more valuable? Is your comfort, pleasure, and convenience more valuable, or it the faith, forgiveness and eternal life Jesus won for you more valuable?
I think we’d all say faith, forgiveness, eternal life, God’s love and salvation and the rich blessings of God are more valuable. But there are times that we live with priorities that show the opposite is true – that we’re living for the temporal things of this life. When we see that, we need to repent and run back to that forgiveness we cherish so deeply. Then let that priority change your earthly values.
Father forgive me for my earthly views. Help me to mature in Jesus through the work of Your Spirit. Amen.
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