Parables of Jesus: A Rich Man Had A Manager

 

Luke 16:1-13

August 15, 2004

PROBLEM PARABLE

This parable causes more problems than it solves; asks more questions than it answers.  The first of the questions is “Where does the parable end?” Remember no original punctuation.

 

Does it end with first part of what we call “verse 8": And master commended him?  Or does it end with verse 9:“Make friends . . . they may welcome you into the eternal homes. . . “  Did Jesus really say “Make friends by means of dishonest wealth . . .”? It’s hard for me to believe he actually said that!  And the second question is “Does it mean what it says, or is there an allegory buried within it?”  If it’s an allegory God would probably be the “master.”  And Jesus would be the dishonest manager “Do whatever you must to insure your future.”  Is this an allegory?  And the third question is “What on earth does this parable mean?”  

Notice first the accusations against the manager:

‘squandering’ >

wasting >

neglecting his duty >

acting irresponsibly >

being extravagant >

Sound like anybody you know?  I think I see my own reflection in this manager.  Do you see your reflection?  Do you squander and waste what you have?  Equally important  -  Do we treat everyone the same?  The manager did not - which is why Jesus called him “unrighteous.”  

 

Let’s not dwell on that!  Too close to home!  I’ve quit preaching and started meddling! 

There is more to notice!

> Take a look at his focusl

> He’s about to be laid off

> doesn’t “cry in his beer”

> first he thinks:  “What am I gonna do?”

 

Then he takes inventory of his options: “I’m not strong enough for manual labor;  I’m not into begging.”

 

Next he plans his work: “I know!  I’ll fix it so some people owe me a favor.”  Then he works his plan: Reduces amount that several people owe his boss.  And the rich man is very impressed with what the manager has done.  But Jesus only says the manager got a commendation > maybe a certificate

We are not told that the manager gets to keep his job

           

WHAT’S IN THIS PARABLE?

All this is on surface, there are three notable points we can take from the surface.

 

First notable point:  This parable can be taken as a model for problem solving and a pretty good model at that!

1.  take inventory of your options

2.  plan your work

3.  work your plan

 

Second notable point: This parable can remind us to use our heads.  Look at verse 8 again - “The children of this age are more shrewd at dealing with their own generation than are the Children of Light’ (i.e., those who have seen the Kingdom of God present in Jesus and see their future in him). Since verse 1 tells us Jesus was speaking to his disciples.  He may have been suggesting that they be shrewd in finding more disciples.  Pretty good suggestion, huh?  More than one place where Jesus implies that

 

Third: It can be seen as a test for the pharisees who were lurking in the background.  If Jesus intended it to be a test for the pharisees to show their true colors It worked.  They fell right into his trap. Look at their response: verses 14 and 15

 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR US?

These are all interesting points, but is that the end of it?  Is there anything significant in this parable for us?  Fortunately, Jesus did a bit of interpreting and Luke wrote it down for us in verses10-13

That’s it!  That’s the point to take home!

Jesus isn’t suggesting that we be unjust.  He isn’t even telling us to use ill-gotten gains to set up our retirement fund.  Jesus wants us to take every opportunity we have to please God!

 

Fred Craddock, the quintessential “preacher teacher,” writes:  “Most of us will not this week christen a ship, write a book, end a war, appoint a cabinet, dine with a queen, convert a nation, or be burned at the stake.  More likely the week will present no more than a chance to give a cup of water, write a note, visit a nursing home, vote for a county commissioner, teach a Sunday school class, share a meal, tell a child a story, go to choir practice, and feed the neighbor’s cat.  ‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.’ (Luke, John Knox Press, 1990, page 192)

 

William Barton, a Congregational Church minister, wrote 80-some years ago as Safed the Sage.  One of his stories is called “The Next Time.”  There lived in the Town of my Boyhood a young maiden whose name was Dinah.  And I liked her, and knew not but that I could like her more if I were to Drop Everything Else and give her my Exclusive Attention.  And I went away and lived for some time in another place.  And Dinah came to visit, and I determined to Show her a Good Time, for she was from my Home Town .  And Dinah was willing, but also was pursuing a policy of Watchful Waiting in certain other Directions.  And there came the Fourth Day of July, and the Sunday School Picnic.  And some rode to the picnic in Buggies, but the most part in Hayracks, or any old way.  But I knew a man who had two Saddle Horses, and he loaned them to me.  And when I came to the house where she stayed, leading one horse and riding the other, Dinah’s face fell.  And she said, “Safed, it is good of you to take me to place, and I like it, but you are only a boy from the Home Town , and I would rather ride in one of the wagons, so I may meet others as well as you.”  And I went to a friend, who was driving his own two horses that were hitched to a Hayrack.  And beside him was his best girl, and her name was Ruth.  And upon the hayrack were several young men and women.  And I said, “Sam, will you do me a Favor?”  And he said, “I will give you anything, except Ruth.”  And I said, “Take my two saddlehorses for you and Ruth, and let my drive your team.”  And he said, “Hurry up, Ruth, before he changes his mind.  Let us climb down from here and mount the horses.”  Now when Dinah saw that Ruth and Sam were glad, then was she more snippy than ever.  But that day was not totally lost.  For there rode on the Hayrack two young women whom I had not bet before.  And one of them was Keturah [whom he would later marry].   Now after fourteen years, Dinah wrote to Keturah and said “I am coming to visit you.”  And Keturah wrote and said, “Okay.”  So she stayed with us four days.  And she was still unmarried.  And on one night there was a lecture.  And Keturah did not care to go, but stayed home with our Five Children, and I took Dinah to the lecture.  And as we were returning, Dinah spoke to me, saying, “Do you remember the Fourth Day of July, fourteen years ago?”  And I told her that I had not forgotten.  And she said, “When you took me home that night you said to me, ‘I am sorry that you have not enjoyed this day, and I hope it will fare better the Next Time I invite you.’  And I said, “I remember.”  And she said, “Safed, this is the Next Time.”  And I considered that some people who wait for the Next Time will have a long time to wait. (Safed the Sage, John Knox Press, 1965, pp 58-60)

 

Don’t wait for the “next time.”  You may have a long wait!  This week you will have an opportunity to be an instrument of God’s peace or love or justice or understanding or consolation or compassion.  Don’t wait, you may never get another chance.