What's This?

This weekend we run into something strange. And no, it's not Jesus speaking in parables.

That's just par for the course.

This time, Jesus tells us something so counterintuitive that scholars have been debating the meaning of the parable since it was written down by the good doctor in the first century.

A wealthy man had a shrewd manger who worked for him. Upon learning that his underling was possibly dishonest, the overlord called him and told him that he was about to be fired. Realizing that everyone hated him and there was nothing else he could do to make money, he calls the overlord's debtors to him and forgives the majority of their debts... to the overlord. And rather than to fire him, the overlord commends him.

Jesus goes on to say that we must be more shrewd than the dishonest manager, making friends by means of dishonest wealth so that we can be welcomed into eternal homes and have true riches in eternity.

Wait, what?!?

Then Jesus finishes by saying we cannot serve both God and the ancient deity of prosperity and wealth, Mammon.

As far as confusing parables go, this one takes the cake.

There is a lot happening in this parable. Far too much to take on in this blog.

But what I will say is this - Jesus is taking on the corrupt systems of this world. The ones that were intentionally created to elevate a few while disenfranchising the many. Keeping the powerless under control and under someone else's thumb.

Knowing that, bearing in mind that those systems are in direct opposition to God's own economy and kingdom, consider carefully ways God may be calling us to be in the world but not of it. To use the systems to dismantle other systems, once and for all, so that all of God's children may finally have what they need.

Thoughts to ponder. See you Sunday.

Blessings,

Rev. Janie