Luke 16:1-13

content/bible_journal/luke_16:1-13.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
++++
+title = "Luke 16:1–13"
+date = "2023-01-03"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk16.1-13)
+
+Based on the preceding and following contexts, it sounds like Jesus told this
+parable immediately after the one about the prodigal son. This one deals with a
+shift of topics from God's seeking and forgiveness of sinners to the kind of
+relationship we should have with money, which makes sense considering how both
+brothers of the previous story were caught up in a love for money.
+
+In this parable, a rich man has a steward or manager to run his estate, to take
+care of all the details so the master doesn't have to. However, this manager is
+dishonest and not doing a good job of maintaining his master's wealth. The
+master finds out and has enough evidence to fire him, so he orders the manager
+to turn over the books. During this process, the manager comes up with a plan
+to help him maintain his easy lifestyle. He meets each of his master's debtors
+and unilaterally reduces the amount of their debt, with the unspoken
+understanding that they now owe him a favor.
+
+It should be noted that these debtors are not small fry, considering how large
+these debts are. A hundred measures was about 875 gallons of the oil, or over
+1,000 bushels of wheat. By defrauding his master of these resources, the
+manager could likely gain quite a lot from each of these debtors for some time
+to come. When the master discovers what has happened, he actually ends up
+commending the manager, in an acknowledegment that he has been outwitted. The
+altered records can't be changed back or recovered, so there's not any legal
+recourse he can take.
+
+Jesus's application for this parable is rather unexpected, at least at first.
+He says that unbelievers tend to be more shrewd with each other than believers
+are, which makes sense. But then he says to "make friends for yourselves by
+means of unrighteous wealth". (_v. 9_) What are we to make of that? We can be
+sure that Jesus isn't telling us to go commit fraud or cheat people. Instead we
+are to invest in people, so that the wealth that we have may be used to help
+bring them to God's kingdom. Then, when we are there together, they will invite
+us to their homes to celebrate.
+
+Verses 10 through 13 explain more. People don't suddenly become honest just by
+being given more to work with. Therfore, if you are faithful with money which
+cannot save you, you will also be faithful with eternal riches. You can't be
+devoted to amassing wealth and also be devoted to God. So a person will either
+use money to serve the Lord, or use the Lord's kingdom to serve their wallet.
+
+* * *
+
+Give us eternal perspectives, O Lord. Teach us what is truly important.