Take Up Your Cross The Savior Said

I have to admit that the parable of the dishonest manager has to be one of those puzzling parables as it would seem that the manager’s reduction of the amount owed by his employer was not a good thing to do. Somehow it would seem that Jesus is sharing this parable and speaking directly to His disciples and making a comparison between them and the dishonest manager. The puzzling part comes from Jesus commending the dishonest manager for his actions. I do not know the answer today, but I am sure, just as I have found out from the other puzzling parables that there is a practice in the Middle East that if I understood it, I would get it.  I believe that the issue at hand is debt reduction and it is that practice that echoes Jesus’ mission objective. I am called to be faithful in the use of my wealth and to promote Jesus’ objective and not ostentatious living.

 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. – Luke 16:1  ESV

If Jesus is teaching about materialism and money then it makes sense that He calls out the Pharisees for their love of money and their neglect of showing compassion for the poor.

One cannot talk about the Pharisees without talking about the Law and so Jesus does. He offers us disciples a new imperative to force our way into the Kingdom at any cost.

The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. – Luke 16:16  ESV

Here is my disciple- question:

• Have I become complacent, passive?

Here is my prayer:

• Father, I am not just a Christian, I am a disciple. But in some ways I have become passive. Forgive me. Let me seek You with an unflagging zeal. I long to be in the very centre of Your present will for my life. I long to know You better.  I seek You, Father, with all my heart. Help me to do so, and pick me up where I fall short. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Here is my benediction:

• God has accomplished marvelous things! Let us go in new appreciation for the works of God’s hands. Let us live as faithful disciples, telling all what God has done. And remember that Jesus is always with us, to the end of the age.