St. Luke 16:1-15
Divine Service
Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Do you know any shrewd characters?  It all depends on our understanding of the word “shrewd”.  That word seems to send up red flags to come up in our minds.  We typically equate shrewdness with dishonesty.  We might think a businessman is shrewd if he cheated his company out of millions of dollars, when that’s not being shrewd, that’s being a cheat. 

Jesus actually says that shrewdness is a commendable quality.  He teaches this to us with a parable.  In this account Jesus answers this question: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SHREWD?  In God’s kingdom shrewdness means that we: 1) Consider the Outcome.  It also means that we are to 2) Be Creative. 

In this parable we encounter two main characters: the dishonest manager and his master.  Both of these men had one thing in common – they both appreciated shrewdness.  To be shrewd means to consider the bottom line.  We’re told what the bottom line was for this servant: “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.  And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’” There’s the bottom line.  The rich employer had found out his employee was cheating him, so he called him to prepare his final financial account and then announced that he would be fired that same day.  The manager knew his job was finished.  He had to do something.  But what?

“What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg – I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’”

This man considered the outcome.  He knew the bottom line.  He’d be fired.  Now, the bottom line was his own doing; the result of being a cheat.  He was obviously not faithful with the position his master had given him.  Notice how this man handled his situation, though.  He didn’t waste any time.  He assessed the circumstance, considering everything carefully, and then he acted.  He thought of a plan that would help him to expand his options, his bottom line. 

What’s surprising is that the employer commends his dishonest, yet, shrewd worker.  His cheating, deceitful ways were not commendable.  What was admirable was how this wily fellow considered the outcome.  He was shrewd enough to know that he had to be one step ahead.  If he was going to get caught, at least he was going to have his “bases covered.”

In the same way Jesus tells his followers to have their “bases covered.”  “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.  For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.  And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”  How shrewd are we?  Do we consider the outcome?  I believe we Christians get so frustrated because we see so much potential work that could be done, but then we look at ourselves and see nothing but limitations.  Sometimes we’re tempted to look around and say, “this is as good as it’s going to get”, and we leave the bases uncovered. 

We don’t always take the outcome into consideration.  There are two reasons for this.  We are either tempted to think we are inappropriate or that we are inaccessible.  Sometimes we’re tempted to think that God can’t possibly use our talents or abilities, or we might think that we’re just the wrong choice.  “God can’t possibly use me.  I’m can’t serve God’s church in that way.  There’s bound to be someone more qualified!” so we think.  Then there’s the temptation to think we are too inaccessible to God.  It’s as if we tell God that we’d love to serve him, but all our assets are tied up.  We tend to become so selfish with things that don’t even belong to us.  Our lives – our wealth, health, possessions, time, talents and abilities – are gifts on loan from God.  Still we are so greedy with these things because we’re so concerned about our bottom line, our goals and agendas.  Then we’re tempted to be the ones who are the dishonest, unfaithful cheats. 

Consider the outcome.  There was a time when we faced a bleak future and when all the bases were wide-open.  As sinners born into this world, we were looking at an eternity of destruction, and that was as good as it was going to get.  That was the bottom line.  Yet, God considered that outcome and it broke his heart.  He could not stand to see us suffer for all of eternity.  God was shrewd.  He considered the bottom line and then took action.  He sent his Son to cancel the debt of sin.  Christ shed his own blood to pay the outstanding balance sin had left on our account.  And Christ Jesus rose from the grave proving that the transaction had been made.  The debt had been canceled.  That account still stands clear to this day.  Christ’s forgiveness is still credited to us.  His love still governs our cheating, dishonest hearts.  His faithfulness cancels out our sinful feelings of inadequacy or stinginess.  He frees us from our own sinful limitations and inspires us to serve him with the strength and ability he provides.  Our Savior shows us how he first considered the outcome for us, and then he calls us to consider this outcome in light of others.  He covered all the bases.  Now, that’s shrewd. 

The result is the bottom line has been changed.  In fact, God has given us a new bottom line, an eternally positive outcome.  What’s the bottom line?  Jesus tells us: “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”  The business of God’s kingdom has been entrusted to us.  When you think about it, that’s a great privilege.  Christ Jesus considers us faithful and he entrusts his kingdom to us for which he shed his blood.  To invest our wealth into God’s kingdom means that we believe it is worthwhile.  It means we believe the message of grace God’s kingdom – the church -- proclaims.  We believe this message has the power to change hearts and lives.  And then we are told to use whatever gifts the Lord has provided to ensure that this message is shared with others.  As God’s friends in Christ we are able to make friends for Christ.

Jesus says: “Be passionate!  Be creative!”  People who are preoccupied with this world are very shrewd when it comes to business matters.  They are passionate about their earthly future, and they act to provide for it.  We need to have the same creative passion for our eternal future. 

Jesus gives two examples of creative shrewdness.  The rich master in the parable tells the dishonest manager to prepare a final report, and so, the manager uses this time to his advantage.  He calls in several of his master’s clients and discusses each of their accounts.  He tells them that since they have been such good customers he is offering them a refund that will be credited to their accounts.  They sign the papers, shake hands, and leave thinking the manager is a wonderful man. 

Later that afternoon, the account manager brings his ledgers to his master’s office.  The boss takes one look at the books and says, “You’re fired, but before you go, let me tell you, you’re a dirty, rotten scoundrel, but a shrewd one.  I must admire the way you used my money to buy yourself some favor with my top clients.”  This was a creative approach.  Even though the man was dishonest, he was shrewd.  And that’s the way it is with the world.  Christ says we are to be creative with things that are above and beyond this world.  Be creative with the opportunities to share your faith. 

Our prayers are an example of this creativity.  Time spent praying for others is time spent making a friend for Christ, but let’s be creative.  Don’t limit your prayers as if to say, “Dear Lord, for my spouse, children, parents, sister and brother, for these five I pray and no other.”  Paul in our Epistle lesson tells us: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Pray for your neighbors.  Pray that God would guide his Church so that the gospel can be freely proclaimed. 

We can be creative in our use of time.  Time spent helping out around the church property is time well spent making a friend for Christ.  Time spent talking with someone who has a heavy heart is time well spent.  Time spent providing flowers for the altar or snacks for fellowship or meals for special events is time well spent.  It is a chance to make a friend for Christ. 

The offerings we put in the plates are gifts well given.  They are used to make friends for Christ by promoting our congregation’s gospel ministry.  Musical talents can be used to make friends for Christ.  Business savvy, communication, administrative, or organizational skills can be used to make friends for Christ.  Imagine what we could do with a little creative shrewdness.  Imagine laying up lasting treasures in heaven, to help people who have never experienced the love of Christ.  We don’t have to imagine for that is a reality.  We are striving to consider the outcome.  The bottom line is every single soul with whom we come in contact.  The gospel has made us into shrewd people willing consider the outcome and to creatively pursue it.  Let’s continue to be in the Word and worship our Lord, so that we grow in our faith and don’t lose the Gospel’s shrewd passion and creativity in our lives. 

Now, Al Copeland, Bill Gates, and Malcolm Forbes are all examples of shrewd businessmen.  They’re not afraid to spend time, energy, or money to accomplish their goals.  “Oh!  They’ve got money to spend though,” we might argue.  True.  But so do we.  We may have what seem to be limited resources – time, energy, or money – at our disposal, but these are from God.  And we have one thing none of those entrepreneurs do – a sure thing. 

Heaven, our real goal, is already ours.  It is ours through the payment made for us by Christ Jesus on the cross.  The payment that won for us heaven, yes, but only because on that cross Jesus paid a debt that we could never pay for ourselves: He paid the price so that your sins are forgiven you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Amen.

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