Scripture
“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. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:8-9 )
Observation
Just to recap the scriptures prior, the dishonest manager was found not to be stewarding his master’s possessions well. In fact, the scripture say that he wasted the master’s possessions. Thus, he was called to account by the master. The dishonest manager then seems to continue to act with a disregard to his master by negotiating a payment on debts to the master at a lessor amount owed. The master then praises him for his shrewdness. Go figure!
What I do garner from these scriptures is that the world is do different from the will and ways of the Lord. Sometimes, in the business world, certain debts are seen as potentially uncollectable and therefore a potential loss and write-off. I surmise that perhaps; the master considered these debts and uncollectable and a potential loss since the dishonest manager did not steward the master’s possessions and wealth well. In that case, it would be understandable that collecting something instead of nothing is an act of shrewdness. But, that is the way of the world.
Application
I believe that the scripture stating that we “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves,” actually means for us not to seek wealth, but instead to steward what we are blessed with in the world, to “gain friends,” or influence others for Christ; until He returns, or “all is gone,” and we become caught up with Jesus eternally, “welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Remember that the dishonest man was called to account because of his lack of stewardship. Thus, these scriptures do show the shrewdness of the world, but more so the call to stewardship of God’s people, and how we use what we are given.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me of who I am, what my assignment is, and where I’m going. I pray that you would guide me to steward what you have blessed me with and called me to, until you come again and we are caught up in the sky to live in eternity with you.
