Buying Friends & Influencing Heaven

Friday's Text: Luke 16:1-9

The Prairie Home Companion radio show did a comedy bit called The World's Oldest Jokesters.  They told jokes from pre-history and early history and (sounding like New England Jews) included several jokes tied to Bible stories.  They claimed they'd even heard Solomon, the first comedian to write down his material.  The theater audience chuckled as they quoted dire verses from Ecclesiastes and explained they were hilarious as Solomon said them.  They just lose something in the translation.

Today's parable may lose something when it's stuck in print. It can be funny if we hear the punch line delivered through laughter.  "The Master commended the dishonest manager... ppphaw-haw-huh... because he acted shrewdly." Ok, maybe something is still lost in translation.  But how else do we explain the crazy circumstances of this story.  The manager wastes the master's money.  He's given a pink slip.  The manager cooks the books, robbing the master of still more in order to buy his way into people's homes.  The master, impressed with the dishonest manager's creativity, gives his approval. In our culture the punch line might sound more like, "DOH! Why'd I fire him? That crook knows how to take care of business!"  Wait... does Jesus want us to be dishonest?

No.  He wants us to be creative.  He wants us to figure out how to use money (actually mammon which means wealth and includes our possessions) to build friendships rather than buy them.  He wants us to stop and think.  Some of us are tempted to make money the goal.  Jesus wants us to use money and love people and not the other way around.  When we understand that, the "Welcome" sign lights up in Heaven.

Are You Ready?

Today's Text: Luke 12:41-46

Without Lent or something like it, our attraction to happy, uplifting passages of Scripture distracts us from sober reflection.  Many Christians today find themselves far removed from the regular practice of self-examination, confession and repentance.  Such a process seems medieval and dark or depressing.  "What's the point in beating yourself up?" they ask.  "We should walk in victory and joy?"

What do those folks do with parables like this one?

Let's be honest.  Jesus gives an example that rings true even in today's work environment.  As one wise business leader said recently, "Excellence on the job comes from work that is inspected, not work that is expected." And, in our personal lives this principle proves true. Too many of us wait for a heart attack to alter our fat intake and start walking regularly.  When we evaluate ourselves, talk to others who want us to do well or be well, and make the necessary changes, we put ourselves in a better place.

In the bigger context of Luke 12:35-48, three parables warn us to ready for the master's return.  After the first one, Peter questions whether Jesus broadly warns everyone or aims specifically at the apostles.  In our text and the parable that follows, Jesus explains that both the manager (a servant with recognized authority, vis a vis the apostles) and the servant (everyone else?) must be ready for the return of the master.  Peter, everyone includes you.

So, can we accept the warning?  Can we admit our human tendency toward letting things slide?  And more importantly, will we expose ourselves to the Holy Spirit's mirror, admit our shortfalls, and repent?