(One Year Bible Blog post & readings)
The Parable of the Swindling Shrewd Manager is an odd one, since the cheat comes out smelling like roses. I’m pretty sure we’re not to emulate his deceit and misappropriation of funds. Let me know if you think I’m wrong here…
Funny how it can take a crisis to make us aware of how we allocate our attention. It isn’t until a relationship is on the rocks – or over! – that we realise we’ve been taking someone for granted. It isn’t until we’ve lost something that we really appreciate it.
Why are we always looking beyond the present? Our focus is so often on the next thing, the additional thing. We forget about what we already have. Isn’t there an expression, something about a bird in the hand?
++ Lord, keep us in the present. Keep us from worrying over tomorrow. ++
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I think Bob at Bible.org has this right, and he is in the minority of commentators on this viewpoint.
Parable is contrast. Master and manager were unbelievers. Manager was unscrupulous before and during this process of downgrading debt. Master recognized and commended shrewdness because he is the same way. Don’t do this – these are children of the world they are shrewd in dealing with each other.
NIV really butchers Jesus’ next comment. From Greek and KJV best I can tell it is: ‘Bring to yourself these people (share gospel) these friends of money, use your resources to help save them so when you die they will be there to greet you in heaven.’ (Best I can do, if off it is still closer than NIV version)
Jesus goes on to then talk more about what we should be like as believers. Faithfulness.
Read Bob’s commentary at link provided by Mike. He agrees with your assessment about not emulating “manager”.