“To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” ~Charles Spurgeon
Every year as part of our library board audit, I have to answer the question, “Have you committed any fraud with library funds?” Of course, I have not. Yet also of course, if I had, I wouldn’t admit it there, emblazoned on a required-reporting document.
Were I interested in embezzlement, I hope I’d be smarter about it than that.
Jesus tells a troubling story about someone guilty of a similar offense. A manager has been mishandling his employer’s funds and is, predictably, fired. Yet before leaving his post, he ensures his future with a unique trick. What’s troubling isn’t the trick. It’s that Jesus seems to celebrate it.
“The manager said to himself, ‘Ah, I’ve got a plan. Here’s what I’ll do . . . then when I’m turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.’
Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
He replied, ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil.’
The manager said, ‘Here, take your bill, sit down here—quick now—write 450.’
To the next he said, ‘And you, what do you owe?’
He answered, ‘A hundred sacks of wheat.’
He said, ‘Take your bill, write in eighty.’
Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival.” (Luke 16:4-9 MSG)
So the moral of the story is that cheating once gets you fired, but cheating twice gets you “smart and creative” on your LinkedIn profile? Why does Jesus imply we should be like this guy?
Here’s where understanding the culture of patronage and favors helps. You see, he isn’t really incurring loss for his employer when he changes these bills. He’s incurring loss for himself. He’s telling the clients to delete the portion he would have skimmed off the top anyway, as part of standard business. His employer gets the same amount, while he gets nothing. His actions sacrifice short-term gain for a long-term safety net, created by the wealthy clients for whom he’s doing this favor.
This is what Jesus calls wise. Then he adds the most important part: “Be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival.”
Many Christians use this story to claim they can do whatever it takes to reach a “good” end because it’s just being smart. God never affirms our human inclination to redefine what is right in order to get somewhere we want to go, even if that somewhere is positive. Jesus says to be smart and creative—not manipulative and calculating.
The phrase “but for what is right” defines the whole story.
The manager deserved his trial. He knew it. Jesus knows, though, that has disciples will face undeserved adversity. He knows his listeners faced it already under the oppressive thumb of Rome. So he tells them this story not to glorify dishonesty but to give them encouragement to survive by smart, creative goodness.
When we face adversity, how do we take the good from this manager’s story?
- Ask God for faithfulness not to turn to dishonest means in order to get what we want, even if we’re convinced God is behind our cause. Pray we will never harm our neighbors in our pursuit of “good.”
- Notice when we’re leaning toward cynicism during trials. There’s a difference between living smart and living I’m-smarter-than-you. Fear can sure bring this out.
- Argue for the things that matter to us without using personal attacks or questionable information.
- Crowdsource creative ways through our trouble—we often get paralyzed when we think solutions are all up to us.
- Surround ourselves with people who keep their integrity during hardship. Ask them to mentor us, even informally.
- Listen, read, and learn from our BIPOC communities. They can teach us more than we want to know about creative goodness in the face of adversity.
Jesus wants smart, creative followers because the world, as we’ve lately recognized, is constantly changing. He commends looking to the future—for ourselves, the church, and others. We’re cautioned, though, to use our smarts for the right things and the right reasons—unlike our manager friend who troubles readers so much.
Scripture for Reflection
“Dear friends, since you are immigrants and strangers in the world, I urge that you avoid worldly desires that wage war against your lives. Live honorably among the unbelievers. Today, they defame you, as if you were doing evil. But in the day when God visits to judge they will glorify him, because they have observed your honorable deeds.” (1 Pet 2:11-12 CEB)
“Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare. I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” (Jer 27:7, 11 CEB)
Reach for More
- Have a brainstorming session for ways to get through a difficult situation you’re facing. Invite someone you think is wise. You can even use an app!
- Make a list of 3 books or podcasts from BIPOC communicators you’ll learn from this month.
- Make a vision board for some good goal you have. Find pictures or words that remind you of your dream and steps to reach it. Get creative!
is a writer, speaker, pastor, mom of three, and author of five books. She likes to travel, grow flowers, read Tolkien, and research her next project. She believes in Jesus, grace, restoration, kindness, justice, and dark chocolate. Her passion is partnering with the next generation of faith. Jill blogs at jillmrichardson.com.
Photograph © Tyler Nix, used with permission
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