Comments on: Jesus Says Use Boss’s Money to Make Friends?

By: Brad Harmon

Brad Harmon — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:44:24 +0000

Hey Keisha. This is one of those passages that is usually avoided because it can mean many things to many people. I wonder if the steward's motives were that noble? For that matter, I wonder how pure our own motives will ever be this side of heaven?

If you look at how Christ talks about the Kingdom of Heaven you will see that it is a very rewarding frame of reference. I think the focus He is trying to make us see is to quit thinking about the rewards here and to start using our resources here for greater rewards in heaven.

Maybe it is just the when and where of what we get out of the deal that he is trying to make us think about?

By: Kiesha

Kiesha — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:46:25 +0000

I haven't read a blog post that made me this hard, so it's taking me longer than usual to digest this one. I think I've been mulling this very issue over and it's God way of trying to get the message through my thick skull. Am I stretching or is this also saying that I should serve others even when I won't get paid, but in a manner as if I were going to? That it's better to help them and have nothing of my own than to worry about what I can make out of the deal? Yeah, I'm probably going in the wrong direction. My recent post No matter what, just keep moving forward

By: Brad Harmon

Brad Harmon — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:43:31 +0000

Interesting post. There are some who propose that the first option is the best, and that Jesus was only commenting on his shrewdness in the situation. I think that Jesus clearly is suggesting that there is a lot of wisdom that we can gain from watching the wisdom of shrewd entrepreneurs. You make some great points in your post about this steward's shrewdness.

In the end, I can't get over the master being so impressed that he commends the steward for ripping him off or Jesus using this behavior as his example. Even with the third option, your points about the steward's shrewdness are still notable.

By: Brad Harmon

Brad Harmon — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:58:29 +0000

I love it! It reminds me of Paul talking about being poured out. We hear the phrase "leave it all on the field" to fire up football teams, but imagine what this world would be like if Christians left it all on the mission field. Great thoughts.

By: Brad Harmon

Brad Harmon — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:48:27 +0000

I like it. Here, let me fire back a commentary of my own.

The last part of Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage says …

The true riches signify spiritual blessings; and if a man spends upon himself, or hoards up what God has trusted to him, as to outward things, what evidence can he have, that he is an heir of God through Christ? The riches of this world are deceitful and uncertain. Let us be convinced that those are truly rich, and very rich, who are rich in faith, and rich toward God, rich in Christ, in the promises; let us then lay up our treasure in heaven, and expect our portion from thence.

We can hoard the riches of this world, but once they're gone – then what? It's like the steward and his commissions – he had no way to help himself after the commissions ran out.