Creative Problem Solver

 

~~~ Romans 15:14-21 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Luke 16:1-8 ~~~

 

 The gospel of the unjust steward is about money, but it has some atypical twists.
It is only found in the gospel of Luke.
On the one hand the servant seems to be thinking of the masters debtors,
he decreases the amount they owe.
On the other hand we see that the servant is really thinking about himself.
Knowing that he is about to be let go from his job he attempts
 to win the good favor from the masters debtors.

This story is relevant for us today,
We hear of corporate corruption routinely on the evening news reports.
Tales of bribery, lies, and lavish vacations are common.

This employee reduces what is owed by the amount of his portion of the moneys.
He has been skimming off the top from his employer behind his back.
He deceives those who are paying their debts.
He pretends that it is the master who is reducing
their debt out of the goodness of his heart.

One must question how Jesus can be praising this unjust steward.

This man finds himself in a life or death scenario.
He is desperate to provide for his own future, somehow.

  

 

 Jesus is not praising the steward for his thievery, but his problem solving ability.
He was a creative problem solver. He had not anticipated the loss of his job.
So he had to think of some way to save himself;
and it had to be quickly.

 

 While the steward may have been resourceful, his intentions were less than stellar.

 

 As usual Paul places the focus on what is really important...

...I will not dare to speak of anything
except what Christ has accomplished through me...

 

 What does Christ really accomplish through you?
Was the steward a reflection of God working through him?
When selfishness is our motivating factor is it possible to Christ to work through us?
I have serious doubts, but I do believe that God can turn all things into good.

 

We are Blessed each time we find creative ways to do the work of God
we have been called to do. 

We do have an awesome creative God!!!