The Gospel for November 12, 2004
Luke 16:1-9
He also said to his disciples, ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward who was denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.” ‘Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil,” he said. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down and quickly write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat,” he said. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.” ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’ ‘And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
Psalm 88, from today's lectionary reading, contains a plea from the psalmist who feels his life "on the edge of Sheol," that undecided limbo-like place of indescribability.
The steward in this gospel text must feel likewise. The Oxford Bible Commentary, always a worthy source when texts don't ring quite "right," has this to day of this text:
... the parable tells a story of an inefficient (v. 1) steward who, facing dismissal for his indolence, meets the crisis with uncharacteristic vigour and ingenuity. The master, though defrauded, recognizes the initiative and, himself working fom the perspective of ‘unrighteous mammon’, actually commends the steward’s shrewdness. There is nothing to say that he reinstates him, but sharing in his worldly stance, he can appreciate a sensible move, indeed an ingenious one, when he sees it. ‘If only’, says the parable, ‘the sons of light had the same appreciation of the crisis confonting them in the drawing near of the Kingdom, and the same energy in meeting it.’ -- Barton, J., & Muddiman, J. 2001. Oxford Bible commentary . Oxford University Press: New York
A Reflection
Sitting on the edge of Sheol has a high-risk connotation. Just one more act taken with the wrong motivation might push me over into endless oblivion. As someone afraid of heights, I am frightened twice by this thought.
There is a significant temptation to hear Jesus' words as if they encourage "shrewdness," or manipulation of that which is not ours, for our own gain. I just can't picture the Carpenter encouraging unethical behavior. But His parables always seemed to have some shock value or a big twist at the end, so where is the ethical answer buried in this text?
I go along with the OBC; the earnestness and diligence with which the soon-to-be-disowned steward set about his task sets an example for us who are soon-to-be-in-the-kingdom, if not already There. The steward used what he had to optimize his condition. I think we can discount the "master" as an honest person; after all, he is the one who praises the steward for his manipulative acts.
But would Jesus honor the worldly misuing the worldly? What is the kernel of unabashed, real truth that lies in this story?
"... the children of this world are more astute at dealing with their own kind than are the children of Light." What does this tell us?
How should we as the children of Light deal with each other? Surely, not as the children of this world do. Then how?
"... do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God." That's a good start.
The Collect
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
8:36:20 PM 
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