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Gospel: Luke 16: 1-8
Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
‘What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.’
The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.’
He called in his master’s debtors one by one.
To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’
Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.’
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than the children of light.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Why does Jesus praise the dishonest steward in today’s Gospel? He’s just been fired for squandering his master’s property!
But after his shameful dismissal, he devises a plan not only to repay some of his master’s debts; he also forges new business relationships in the process.
This man is strong-willed and creative. He’s dug himself into a hole. But now he’s determined to climb his way out.
That’s why the Lord praises him.
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You and I are challenged to put that same type effort into our spiritual lives – to be as determined to serve God as this man was determined to be successful.
For example, some men pride themselves on being good mechanics; they believe they can fix anything.
Jesus might ask us today, “Brothers, are you as good at fixing the wounds in your family or the wounds in your heart as you are at fixing your car?”
Many women pride themselves on their ability to dress well or to turn their house into a tastefully decorated home.
“But sisters, are you equally as creative in cultivating Christian virtues – charity, patience, and forgiveness?”
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Are we as creative and determined to serve God as we are to be successful?
If so, then something tells me we’re living among saints.
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Image credits: (1) (2) Tabletalk Magazine (3) Blessed is She