Managing Accounts

Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position 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 dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. Luke 16:1-9

Many of us really don't understand this parable from Jesus about the dishonest manager. At first glance it seems he is telling us to be shrewd and dishonest with money, our or other peoples. I have struggled to understand this story, but as I've grown older, I realize we all have to be responsible with our money and shrewd when things get rough. We cannot pretend innocence or that we don't know anything about money. Many clergy and some bishops will say they don't like dealing with money and accounts. But in fact, it is part of our oversight. We are called to be shrewd, wise and careful with our accounts and not hide behind the cloak of "deeply spiritual" or " visionary" most religious leaders put on. Remember, these parables were aimed at the religious leaders who came to undermine Jesus. He knew how they hid their bad behaviors under the cover of holiness and prayer. We are called to get our hands "dirty", working with all the accounts, treating everyone with respect.

Gracious Creator, you have made us all wise

you teach us how to manage all of our lives

and you keep us humble and our feet on the ground.

We often chose to look away when trouble hits

we blame others for the mess we actually made

and wiggle out of responsibility like naughty children.

Help us Lord to be faithful and honest leaders

shrewd enough to survive in a money-grubbing world

and tender enough to care for the suffering among us. Amen.