onthly MeditationMeditation for May 2010
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Judith reads:
This is the twelfth parable that is unique to the Gospel of St. Luke. It is the Parable of the Shrewd Manager and is found in Luke16: 1 – 13. This manager was discovered to be wasting his employer’s money and, consequently, he was to be fired after first putting his report in order.
In order to ensure that he still had plenty of friends to help him financially when he no longer had a job, he enlisted the support of his employer’s debtors by proceeding to re write their bills at a lower rate. The debtors, of course, were pleased with the deal and would be sure to help him if ever he needed their assistance in the future. Even the rich business man had to admire his former manager for his shrewdness.
Here’s the lesson, Jesus said, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. Luke 16: 9; New Living Translation.
Joel B. Green, in his commentary on this parable in the New Interpreter’s Study Bible, says, Crucial for reading this parable is noting the parallel between verses 4 and 9. Just as in this age, one might engage in business practices that guarantee one’s security in the future, so also, with regard to the age to come, one might engage in practices that guarantee one’s heavenly home.
When you use your money to help others it is not so that you will receive an immediate pay back or any pay back, for that matter. Your wealth and talents should be used to assist those who are in need and do not have the means to return the favour. There is no assurance, of course, of entry into eternal life because you use your money to help others, but Jesus does go on to say, If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
You cannot serve God and money equally; you must put one or the other first. If you serve God, your wealth must also be put into the service of God by helping those who are poor and in need. You have received goods, talents or money from God as a matter of trust and, if you fulfil the trust that has been given to you, there is hope of eternal life.
© Judith Lawrence May, 2010
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