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The Snake and the Dove
Is it wrong for me to look at Bernard Madoff with just a hint of envy? To look at Oprah and think, “I wish that were me?” Or even to admire the local CEO and ask, “How can I get that gig?”
In these verses in Luke, Jesus tells us that we are supposed to be wise like this manager. Most translations use the word shrewd, but I think in today’s vernacular this word means something far from its actual meaning. I think of the word shrewd as someone being a weasel, someone looking for the loophole, sneaky, and the easy way out. But, in fact, this word means wise, intelligent, and mindful of one’s interests.
But there’s a catch! We are to be as shrewd and wise as this dishonest manager, but for what is right in the world. In Mathew 10:16, Jesus is quoted as saying, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Basically, be as smart and aggressive in this world as the Madoff’s and the Oprah’s are… but do it for the Kingdom. Don’t just think you’ll get by on your merit, your good behavior. Just because we’re good, law-abiding (Jesus followers) doesn’t mean the world is going to be handed and entrusted to us.
We, as Jesus followers, need to go after the world and use the tactics that are needed, all the while not falling into the trap that is certainly before us. And when we are faithful with the few that God entrusts us with (not falling into the trap), God will give us more. If we treat the few people God has given us rightly, surely he’ll entrust us with more… right?
Anyone want to come play some Texas Hold’Em?
Just because I can admire Keith Richards rhythm guitar on “Honky Tonk Women” and try to copy the pretty complex riff doesn’t mean I admire his life, much less the song.
I get the feeling this parable was probably pretty funny to Jesus’ disciples. Compare and contrast and dig deep for the meaning.
Totally agree with your point. Actually, I think shrewd is a good word with some good connotations. We need to be constantly “looking for an angle” in service to Jesus – always looking to get ahead of the “competition.”
I don’t know about envying Oprah or Madoff but I have enveyed working women when I was a stay at home mom. I recovered quickly when I saw my childs firsts, or I could laugh and play with them. I was doing exactly what God wanted me to be doing. I would didagree with your central truth. I would not imitate worldly leaders to win soles. I watch and read about the men and women in the bible and look at Godly men and women here on earth to see what I need to be doing.
God’s ways are not the world’s ways, BUT — how much time, energy, planning, and effort do I put into my education, job, home, or retirement account, and how much time, energy, planning, and effort do I put into furthering God’s kingdom? I think this passage is conveying that God wants us to be as creative and proactive in furthering his kingdom as we are in furthering our own good. And Joe, I agree that sometimes that means “thinking outside the box.” With, of course, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and godly counsel to keep us from going outside His will. Sometimes a fine line to walk, but better than sitting and doing nothing.
There is a part of me that always looks for hidden meaning in what people say to me. What are they really trying to say. What do they want to say to me but are not really saying. In my investigation though, I am not looking towards the positive. If I take that same energy and look for the good things, maybe I would be less cynical.
You know, the platform that an Oprah or a Madoff have is really what we desire as Christians…a loud voice on behalf of the Kingdom. However, they acheived that platform by being shrewd business people. I think what we are told here is that being street smart is important when getting your voice heard. If christians “on good behavior” are sitting back and not getting in the mix, not playing at the same level as everyone else, then we might lose the chance to be loud.
Unfortunately, The system is there to be worked. Who doesn’t feel some accomplishment when they talk their way out of a ticket or get the promotion instead of the other guy because they had more “marketable qualities” that aren’t just being smart. We know of people who will never make management although they are the hardest workers because they don’t posses the street smarts.
I have seen great companies pay out super high returns to their shareholders for years (AIG anyone) and everyone is happy until they find out that their business model was more like that of Madoff. It is just the way the street rolls.
I think what Joe is trying to say is that Jesus wants us to be us hardworking, brainstorming and sometimes not even play nice to get the gospel agenda out there.
Even when the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus, he had the street smarts to talk his way out of it, EACH TIME. Sometimes he even had to slip away from the mob because he knew that was what was best at that time. The biggest reason we Christians cannot relate to most none Christians is because we do not speak their language.
Without experiencing this verse and its implications in real life situations it is hard to relate to it.
Honest in small things……..honest in small jobs……Hum…m..m.m…….doesn’t seem it takes much shrewdness (or wisdom) for that. But maybe I need to rethink this. Left to my human nature, I don’t always put my best effort to the small, mundane things or jobs. Give me a big job and I’m stimulated, concentrated – focused on giving it my all. Often I find I the big jobs aren’t that fulfilling in the end.
Lord, help me see small things and small jobs with a new perspective.