Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg – I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’” (Luke 16:1-4)
In the movie and book by John Grisham, The Firm, Mitch is full of himself. He ia told graduating from Harvard Law School will make him elite. Therefore, he isn’t suspicious of his high salary and receiving a house as a benefit when a boutique law firm hires him. Later he discovers one of the firm’s clients is mafia, and the job opening he filled is from the murder of an associate not willing to play ball. Mitch is involved in the kingdom of the world where the enemy’s in charge.
In this parable the wealthy man isn’t called father. He’s an antagonist in the kingdom of the world and expects his commodities broker to make him oodles of money. This broker/manager, although full of himself, is relatively honest. We can relate to him as we relate to Mitch in The Firm. If we want to obtain wealth in an honest way, Mitch or the broker/manager could be us. We won’t do anything dishonest to make money, but we want it. People need money to live and have fun. Many Christians have entered into situations with blinders because of our love and trust, and we’ve ended up on the short end of the deal. Perhaps we were fired. Perhaps we were cheated out of money. Now we need a quick plan for money to pay bills and save face.
Father God, although I’m worthy because I’m royalty of the King, help me not be arrogant but indebted to Your grace. When I receive an opportunity, remind me to pray and not decide quickly, so I can discern if it is from you. Let me have faith and know if I work hard and keep honest, you’ll promote me, fulfilling and exceeding my needs. Help me to love others, but don’t let them take advantage of me. Let me never forget the enemy is present, waiting to devour me. In Jesus’ name, as I love others, let me discern the enemy and stay clear of him. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
There are thieves all around us. People that are managed by the enemy to do wrong. Sometimes it is very hard to discern if it is the enemy trying to do harm because they are so good at what they do. Most people, in this day and age, have been approached by a scam artist either on their phone or computer. It really is scary what they are capable of doing. It is hard for me to understand how people have no conscience about hurting and taking from others.
Our family wasn’t perfect, but we were lucky to have a mom and dad that love us. Some people don’t have that and don’t know how to love. Others make bad decisions. Basically honest people like the unjust steward get involved with bad people to the point where it is difficult to leave the situation because of an addiction, a gambling debt, or blackmail. People try to get others to slide down the black hole with them. It’s scary because some of us who live in God’s kingdom don’t know the other world exists.