Shrewdness and Generosity
AM Psalm 88 • PM Psalm 91, 92
Joel 2:28-3:8 • James 1:16-27 • Luke 16:1-9
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager has certainly sat with me for weeks, especially with a recent sermon on this story. It’s one where even when I hear an answer to what it means, I keep revisiting the Parable as if it was to offer a new answer or lesson. I do come at the story with different perspectives and interpretations, and there’s a few that have stuck with me that I want to share.
I wonder if the manager could have forgiven debts earlier, or minimize the debt slowly over time so not to attract suspicious. Or, did he only care for debt forgiveness when his livelihood was in jeopardy, as if to jump from a crumbling ledge onto a more stable one? Regardless of his motivations, the action he took, forgiving debts and risking punishment from his master, positively impacted so many people (perhaps even entire families) and created a welcoming community to which he may reside in. People were so thankful to receive this forgiveness that they in turn would cherish and support this manager no matter what.
But I also see the Parable through a different perspective, one that may have no basis in historical customs but may take into consideration how the rich man’s image. If in the Parable the manager calls in the debtors, while the rich man is in the same space at the same time, it may be a risky gamble the manager is willing to make. Imagine, a manager of your wealth calls in every debtor, many of whom may have been poor and struggling, and openly forgives everyone’s debts with all watching. That action, despite its intent, put a massive spotlight on the rich man on whether he will punish generosity to the people, or become ever generous to debtors everywhere. Regardless of intent, this action displays generosity towards those less fortunate while asking those in power how they will respond. How would you respond if part of your wealth was given to struggling families? How can we be mindful of the people we interact with, regardless of our intents?
Written by Danica Hawthorne
Danica is a political activist and writer working with local non profits to support low income families across Washington County. She is spending her fall season reading Frankenstein, surrounded by pumpkin scented everything, with her cat Zoe.