Two Masters

Introduction

There are some folks that we are just leery of. We are extra cautious around some professions. The stereotype has left us believing that there are some professions that can’t be trusted and everyone who tries that profession automatically falls into the dishonest category. Some are understandable. Others are interesting. In a list of most hated professions comes the following: telemarketers (many are trying to earn a living, but who really wants to talk to one), mechanics (who hasn’t asked “do you know of a good mechanic?” implying fair, capable, and honest), politicians (Will Rogers reminded us long ago that one can tell when a politician is lying—when his lips are moving), dentists (much of this has to do with pain associated with the profession), lawyers, IRS agents, and used car salespeople. Not all who perform these jobs are dishonest or evil.

Sometimes experiences are enough to make us look with distrust toward anyone in that profession. Mistrust runs both ways. Employers often find it difficult to trust employees because of those who have demonstrated less than stellar character. The employee who comes in late all the time or takes extended lunches and breaks or who stays on the phone for personal calls—is it any wonder that employers have turned to distrust? Corporate response has been that even when let go, employees find themselves being escorted from the building by security. It is the walk of shame even for the trusted person.

In our text, Jesus tells a story about a dishonest employee. This parable has the potential to be confusing. It even seems that Jesus endorses the dishonest employee’s actions. Let’s be sure of one thing—the focus of this parable is about shrewdness. Jesus commends being shrewd—to have a keen perception and sharpness in understanding how things work. Shrewd followers of Jesus. Not often thought about. Let’s learn.

The Story

Two characters appear in this parable: a master and his steward or manager. The manager was responsible for running the master’s household. The master receives bad reports about his manager. There has been some mismanagement of funds and property; no stealing. The manager is fired but as one final duty is required to show the master the books.

The manager, knowing that his job has come to an end and having no desire to return to ditch digging and shamed by the thought of begging, devises a plan to increase his worth to potential future employers. Each of the master’s debtors are called in to assist in bringing the books up to date. The process goes like this: the manager asks a debtor how much he owes the master. The debtor responds, for example, “800 gallons of oil.” The manager then says, “I think a mistake has been made. It really is 400 gallons. If you will write down 400 instead of 800 then it will be right.”

Some have suggested that this was dishonest. Probably not. The practice was that managers were encouraged and allowed to take a percentage for themselves. In this way, the master got what was owed to him but the manager was the middle man and increased the price a bit to cover his “costs.” This was common business practice. The manager may well be cutting his commission from the sale, or it could be that the manager is cutting the interest rate. Either way, the practice has its desired effect. The manager has new employment opportunities because of his shrewd business practice. Even the master commends him.

The latter part of verse 8 has Jesus commenting on the shrewdness of the manager. People of this world are more shrewd in dealing with others in this world than are people of the light. The point is this: there are things that people of this world know that people of God are naive about. This is good. Jesus’ followers are not supposed to be wise and insightful about how to cut corners and still make a profit. That is what people of this world do. The point is that God’s people are supposed to know more about the ways of God than the ways of this world. We are more concerned about serving God and others than we are about how to make sure we take advantage of all the loopholes in order to secure greater prosperity.

Lessons

Jesus elaborates on this point in verses 9–15. Verse 9 poses the most difficulty. Jesus is saying that generosity toward others is what brings one into alignment with the eternal plan of God. The shrewd manager used wealth to gain an earthly security. Like him, we are to use our wealth to gain a heavenly security. The manager used wealth to gain safety; we use wealth to encourage the work of God in this world. This is what pleases God. Generosity toward others allows us to reveal the nature of God.

Verse 10 teaches that the character of a person is seen in small things. The person who says “if I had more then I could do great things” fails to understand the principle at work. One’s character is revealed in the small things. If you cannot handle a small thing then you will not be able to handle a bigger thing. Verse 11 naturally follows. If you can demonstrate trustworthiness in the handling of a small thing like money then God can certainly trust you with greater things that far exceed wealth. To mishandle a small thing like money in this world demonstrates that you cannot be trusted with greater things.

To put it bluntly—the more we spend on ourselves the more we demonstrate that we cannot be trusted with more significant things than money. What Jesus says is that we are all being tested when it comes to money. Money is a small way that God tests us. The shrewd manager demonstrates how to make his way in this world. God’s people look ahead. We look toward that which is to come. Our use of money demonstrates whether our thinking is for this world or the world to come. The one who thinks about money for this world cannot be trusted with bigger things. The one who is generous with money recognizes that money is temporary and can be trusted with greater things.

Practically speaking, money is one of the things that God gives us and he watches how we use it—selfishly or for him. The person who lives above income is foolish. That person cannot be trusted with more. The use of money is simple. How one uses it speaks of their thinking and their commitment—to self or to God. How do I know this is what Jesus is saying? Verses 14–15. The Pharisees’ reaction discounts Jesus’ words. And Jesus rightly says this is a heart matter. A person values money and what it can do for that person. God detests such. The person of God values how money can help people.

The manager was shrewd about things of this world; the follower of Jesus is shrewd about things of the world to come. The manager thought about how to succeed in this world; the follower of Jesus thinks about how to succeed for God in this world and the world to come. The manager made friends to ensure his security; the followers of Jesus make friends which leads to eternal life. Money cannot be the ultimate priority. A choice to serve God is a choice to be generous.

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