Parable of the Shrewd Manager Luke 16:1-13

Pastor Chi Shyan spoke about this parable during service and since we are doing Parables this season, I was inspired to read up and share. But this is just a short snippet. Hee...

I found it interesting that Jesus taught a parable as such. He seemed to condone or even advocate the manager's way of protecting himself. But certainly not! He was actually trying to bring out the shrewdness of the manager and teaching us to make wise decisions as businessmen do, but with the right motives, so that we would accomplish more for the knigdom of God! Jesus didn't commend the manager for doing what he did; it was his master who commended him. In fact, the Lord tried to caution us this undesirable behaviour in verses 10-13.

My focus here is verses 8b-9: "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 worldy wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." Jesus is teaching us to make use of opportunities for God, with God as the center; like how people of this world is making use of opportunities, but for their own gains. Being children of light, our objective of being "shrewd" is and should always be centered around God and His purposes.

So are you a good steward of what God has entrusted you?
- Material possessions
- Time
- Gifts and abilities
- The Gospel

If not, start doing something today!


-Jocelyn-