Shrewd Christianity

Luke 13 is a parable that penetrates the Christian hearts of past generations and surely will for ones to come. It carries with it an alluring application. It is truth, but it is truth that is masked in the social dimensions of first century Palestine.

Once upon a time there was a rich man who had a dishonest, household slave (i.e. Luke 16:1-13; it’s worth reading).

The landowner finds his manager has done shady business deals but instead of becoming inflamed and firing him on the spot while demanding reimbursement, the shrewd landowner commends his servant for a job well done.

Scripture concludes our story by saying:
And I tell you, make friend for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. (Luke 13:16, NRSV)

What?!?! How is this parable in the Bible?

Keep in mind Jesus is talking to the disciples only. Jesus himself is being quite shrewd by telling his disciples that true living; true followership must be done with a little bit of shrewdness . . . with craft, with creativity.

In our story, the landowner praises his manager for finding a creative way to continue building friendships with the community at large. In other words, the manager (disciples, Israel, the Church, followers of Christ) can be useful once again, but they are going to have to call on the aid of others in order for God to feel satisfied -- so God doesn't fire us too.

What does all of this mean for us?

Jesus in this parable indicates that if we are facing a major crisis the answer is rather to throw caution to the winds, to forget the extra bits and pieces of law and ritual, and to make friends as where we can. That’s what the children of this world would do, and the children of light must do as well. They must learn from the cunning people of the world how to cope in the crisis that was coming upon their generation.

Thus, instead of hoarding money and land, Jesus’ advice is to use it, as far as one can to make friends.

For instance, denominational allegiances are good to a point, but when it comes to advancing the kingdom of God for the common good then denominational lines must be secondary. When it comes to promoting peace and justice to the world at large, religions themselves must be reduced to their irreducible minimums if there is to be any hope of progress. In other words, Muslims, Hindus, Mormons, and Christians can come together for the good of humankind.

Jesus is taking Old Testament storylines and reinterpreting them in his own context. We as 21st century Christians must do the same. We have to be shrewd in the sense that we are willing to go outside our biblical bubble to help bring justice and peace to the ones in the world who are being hurt, to the ones in the world that are too poor to climb out of their debt, to the ones in the world that feel disenfranchised, hurt, and marginalized by society.

We must find creative ways to promote justice and peace to all types of races, colors, sexualities, and nationalities. If we are going to be children of the light then we must make friends with the children of the world to help promote that which Jesus came to promote – love of neighbor, love of God, and peace to all people.

Jesus knew if the disciples were going to advance Christianity to all nations then they must first be willing to make friends and not enemies with the nations.

This is still true for us today. If we are ever going to be an active, Christian voice in our communities and world at large, then we must first be people of creativity and peace – not judgmental Pharisees who hold too tightly to a law. We must be shrewd Christians.

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