The parables reimaged: The conclusion

Introduction: Today we will be concluding our current series “the parables reimagined” today we are going to be studying one of the more confusing parables that Jesus told. In this story, Jesus is going to commend the actions of a dishonest person. This prompts us to ask the question as to why Jesus would commend the actions of a dishonest person. In order to understand this parable better. We must first make ourselves familiar with the term “anti-hero”

The anti-hero is something used in both literature and movies alike, the anti-hero is best explained as a deeply flawed character doing something commendable. This character can often be considered to be a bad or evil person.He's a not so good guy, doing something good. The latest comic book series on Disney plus “Loki” is about a comic book villain named Loki, who is known for perpetrating mischief. However in this particular case he’s put in a situation where he is doing a commendable deed. He’s doing what the good guys usually do.

How many of you like westerns? How many of you enjoy the John Wayne classic “The Searchers?” (Ethan Edwards bio) Edwards was vindictive and hateful, he wasn’t a good person. However in the story, he did the right thing by returning his niece to her family. Though he wasn’t a good person, he was commended for doing the right thing.

The anti-hero is really popular in modern day cinema and literature, people are intrigued with deeply flawed characters. However Jesus used the anti-hero in one of his stories long before modern day cinema. Jesus uses a “anti-hero” as the main character in the parable of the shrewd manager. So what does this parable teach us about the nature of faith? Turn your bibles to Luke 16 and we will find out.

READ Luke 16:1-9

Luke 16:1–9 ESV

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Depending on what translation of the bible you use, the title of this parable is either the “parable of the shrewd manager” I believe it reads that way in the NIV. The ESV however has “parable of the dishonest manager” as its title. Both are true, this manager will be one who is both shrewd and dishonest. However the reason he is shrewd is not because of dishonesty.

The allegations against this manager were likely true. If they were false he would be more focused on defending his actions. Instead the manager seems to be making plans for his next move. He knows his master is going to find out about his dishonest dealings, and he’s focused on what to do next. The manager was likely embezzling money for himself. Skimming resources from the inventory and fixing the numbers to make them look legit. He could have been giving his family and friends a special discount, at the expense of his master. Either way this man was likely a dishonest, slippery thief. The main character in this story is not a good guy. Jesus will not commend these things. Jesus will however set this guy up as the anti-hero, because this not so good guy is going to next be commended for his actions in securing his future. The manager realizes his options are limited, it’s only a matter of time before he’s out of a job. So the manager decides to use what time and resources he has left to help ensure his security.

So the manager started calling up the people who owed his master money. He calls the first guy. Hey Frank it’s Robert over at Gerheart farms. I have a quick question. How many gallons of olive oil did you owe Mr. Gerheart? “Robert replied, 900 gallons. I’m not late am I? Please tell Mr. Gerhart, I'll pay him as soon as possible. “You're not late at all Frank, I was actually calling to let you know your debt has been reduced! You now only owe 450 gallons. Wow Frank! How did you convince Mr. Gerhart? Robert replies “Mr. Gerhart allows me discretion in how to settle his account, I decided you could use a break, and have your debt reduced. Wow Frank, I don’t know what to say! How can I ever pay you back? The manager replies; “we’ll be in touch.”

(Same with grain debtor)The landowner eventually catches wind of what is happening, and instead of being angry about being defrauded, he can’t help but admire what the manager had done. He pulls the manager aside and basically says “I know what you’ve been up to. I completely admire your shrewdness and your ability to use the resources you have to ensure your security.

Jesus uses this parable to encourage us to use the little time and resources we have to gain friends for ourselves so that we may be welcomed into eternal dwellings. In other words, use your resources to invest in salvation. We know we’ll soon be without a job (aka we are going to die) and before that happens, we’ll need to ensure we have another home (aka ensure we have salvation). So what does this look like?.

Tithing is a good example of this. We set aside money for God to use to spread his kingdom.

Use your resources to show hospitality and love to your neighbor, give them a ride to work, let them borrow your property, use your food and culinary skills to invite others to watch the football game, invite others into a book club, all these opportunities give you a chance to use your resources to show people the love of Christ.

Satan wants to use our resources to distract us, and become an idol. However God can take these resources that Satan wants to use for evil, and God wants to use them for good. Will we allow him to do so?

Jesus points out how the world is shrewd in how it uses resources. Investments, using money to make money. Jesus says why don’t Christians do the same? We should use our resources to invest in God’s kingdom, and use our money/resources to make disciples. The shrewd manager recognized the value of this, so should we.