The Dishonest Manager

“There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.”

“‘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.’”

The Dishonest manager is dishonest because of his squandering of the rich man’s wealth in verse 1. His actions in verses 4-7 remedy not only this dishonest mans future situation but also his current standing with his employer. His actions in reducing their debt are not dishonest; rather, he is simply eliminating his commission as financial manager. The rich man commends the manager for his shrewdness (also rendered, wise or prudent actions).

This parable ties directly into Jesus’ emphasis in saying “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

How I manage wealth now (unrighteous wealth) determines how I will manage eternal things (true riches). I realize that most of my life will consist of managing variable income…sometimes more, other times less. Most recently I came through a month with less than usual income; while I can excuse my spending by defining my current state by what I do not have, it would be more wise to think and operate out of what I do have. If I become more “honest” with my wages and more aware of how it ebbs and flows, I may make more honest and wise decisions with what I have been given. “Reality is my best friend” when it comes to spending.

What the manager does in this passage is observable, he made quick and dramatic reactions to his situation to rectify his wrong doing. This “dishonest manager” knew that if he continued life without altercation he would end up in a very poor situation.

If we assess our current situation with a focus on our own stewardship, are we honest…or dishonest?

What makes a man?

When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
– 1 Kings 2:1-4

What makes a man? David explains that which God had shared with him: a man is attentive, a man walks in faithfulness, a man gives his all to God. This I believe is the strength that man is offered. He is given awareness, he is given the capacity for faithful action, he is given a heart and a soul…each facet given him that he may also give.

One Flesh, One Loyalty

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
– Matthew 19:4,5

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
– Matthew 19:29

ESV notes:
Being “one flesh” includes the sexual union of a husband and wife, but it is more than that because it means that they have left their parents’ household and have established a new family, such that their primary human loyalty is now to each other, before anyone else.

Jesus’ teaching of reward and kingdom-come is set against the backdrop of marriage. Matthew guides the reader to view the act of marriage on earth as a portrayal of the relationship between Christ and his bride. By entering into this new covenant where the heavens meet the earth, a new loyalty is created. Christ, having abandoned his heaven for his bride. The Church, to abandon their loyalties, riches, even relationships of earth for their bridegroom. All loyalties have become second to Christ. And in this a new flesh is formed…a heritage of obedience.

Lord, help me to turn from my rebellion, cause my heart to turn toward you in obedience. Shape my heart and heal me that I may cast aside these earthly loyalties and walk in line with you as the lead. Jesus lead on, I will follow.
Amen

A stronghold in times of trouble

But the Lord sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with uprightness.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
– Psalms 9:7-10

FaithLife notes:
The psalmist describes Yahweh as a king administering justice from His throne. He praises Yahweh’s judgement as righteous (tsaddiq) and true (meisharim). As a righteous judge, Yahweh is trustworthy. The oppressed can confidently seek refuge in Him.

The Lord hears the cries of the oppressed, the poor, the needy; even though it may seem as if he does not. Right now, my person and relationships are going under a sifting. It would seem that those who are not conducive to a right path are being far removed from my interaction. I trust that I have made a partnership with God in the decisions made, and in the way I have balanced my time. But this has caused a sense of hurt or rejection on the part of those I once called friend and brother. If he is truly a brother, then the Lord will turn his path, if not, he will find destruction.

Regardless, these events hurt, not in a victimized sense…it just hurts. In these hurts I may turn to my stronghold, where I am safe, where I am loved. I desperately need to know the loving compassion of the Lord. I choose to trust that my God in incorruptible despite the violent turnings of my heart…His will and peace are turned toward me, He will not lie to me or change His mind. My God can not go against His nature of faithfulness…even when I am found unfaithful.

Lord, forgive me of my wishy-washy heart…my mind which changes far too often. I ask that you would heal me, that your presence would overshadow all that I am. That in brokenness others would find you. Help me Lord, I am alone. I need to know your love deep within the inner places of my heart. I trade my heart for yours, my love for yours, my life for the life of your Son.
Amen

Escaping the Ego

Scripture)
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
-1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Observation)
Many times when I think I am on top of my game it hits me. I get floored. The key is not seeing yourself above temptation but rather in it (this evades the fantasies that we build our egos upon) and seeing all things as testing, being equipped enough to trudge through. I am so thankful that I caught the “escape” bit in this verse (I can’t say I’ve seen it before). God creates a way out.

Application)
This means I must look for the means of escape…I must look for provision, the way out. No longer focusing on the trial but living in the exit stratagy.

Prayer)
Lord I thank you for my trials but I also thank you for the way out. Would you open my eyes and put to my attention the ways of escape so that I will not miss the opportunity for survival. Keep my mind refreshed to look for the exit and may my life be continually pleasing to you. And if you would, bring me peace while I sleep, provision, house, food, a new family, and clothing…may I cheerfully give you my first fruits… Amen

Lacking Faithfulness to be made Faithful

Scripture)
What of some were unfaithful? Does their faithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though everyone were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”
-Romans 3:1-4

Observation)
God’s faithfulness is not limited by the corruptness and lack of faith of man. Yes, faith gives a better platform for His actions, but even if the whole of Christianity becomes corrupt and full of liars, God will still remain to be as always “the way the truth and the life.” even though the whole church may loose any faith it once had, God remains ever faithful and opens his arms to a nation of strays.

Application)
Many times my life has corrupted itself because of a lack of faith in Him, the one who can pull me out of death and darkness. Even still God remains faithful and teaches my feet to leap over hazardous footing. Even when I have been lied to over and over or even when I have found myself to be a liar, God remains to be the solid truth in the midst of the morally grey.

Prayer)
Lord, shape my life on Your truth. Make me like You and create me to be a new creation of truth. Teach me a new way of living, a life of faithfulness where you find a lack of one. I thank You for sending Your truth down in a flesh and bones body, now I may live a real life because of Your great sacrifice. Love, Bryan