PARABLES OF JESUS – Living Shrewdly
Luke 16:4-9
" ' "I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses." [So he had the master's creditors change their invoices.] .... So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.' "
This can be a challenging teaching. Was Jesus telling us to be like the conniving steward? Jesus gave another saying: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Jesus acknowledged the fact that we live in two spheres – the kingdom of this world (full of wolves) and the kingdom of heaven. Jesus calls us to live with both wisdom and integrity. I don't believe that he was advocating abandoning my integrity just to get along in this world. In the parable, the master commended this unrighteous steward because he used the principles of this world. The basic principle of living in this world is "take care of number one." In order to secure his future, he made his bed with people who had no more integrity than he did. (Is that a bad choice or what?) If my aim in life is to get along, then it is wise to live by this world's principles. But that is not my goal. Since heaven is my home, as a son of light I must live shrewdly in this world while not abandoning my integrity.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Living in this world requires shrewdness and integrity.
Have a wise day. Love you.
Luke 16:4-9
" ' "I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses." [So he had the master's creditors change their invoices.] .... So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.' "
This can be a challenging teaching. Was Jesus telling us to be like the conniving steward? Jesus gave another saying: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Jesus acknowledged the fact that we live in two spheres – the kingdom of this world (full of wolves) and the kingdom of heaven. Jesus calls us to live with both wisdom and integrity. I don't believe that he was advocating abandoning my integrity just to get along in this world. In the parable, the master commended this unrighteous steward because he used the principles of this world. The basic principle of living in this world is "take care of number one." In order to secure his future, he made his bed with people who had no more integrity than he did. (Is that a bad choice or what?) If my aim in life is to get along, then it is wise to live by this world's principles. But that is not my goal. Since heaven is my home, as a son of light I must live shrewdly in this world while not abandoning my integrity.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Living in this world requires shrewdness and integrity.
Have a wise day. Love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment