There is a distinct difference between being shrewd and being wise. As I see it, at least, someone is shrewd if they know how to get what they want for selfish reasons. Someone who is wise knows how to get what they want but for the benefit of others.
To explain his parable about the shrewd manager, Jesus said, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” The manager was definitely shrewd!
There is good discussion here about money, riches, and our attitudes with those things. The Bible never says we shouldn’t have wealth, but it is clear on how we should behave once we have that wealth. Depending on your perspective, even someone on welfare in the United States has more wealth in terms of money, than the tribesman in the bush of Africa. I think of wealth as an abundance of what you need. We need to be trustworthy with this abundance, as Jesus asks, “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”
When we have abundance in our lives, whether in finances, in possessions or even in social circles having many friends and acquaintances, we have to be careful. How are we using that abundance? What is our relationship to our abundance, particularly our money? Does it drive us? Do we rely on it and desire more and more? If so, what’s left in our hearts and minds for God? Shouldn’t we be hungry and driven for more of God, relying on him for all things? Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
How we handle what we are entrusted with is key here. Do we treat our things, or those of others, with respect? Are we taking care of our business affairs with integrity and grace? Are we honest in all we say and do? Honesty is always the best policy, isn’t that what we’ve always heard?
Some of us will be like the Pharisees and want to scoff at Jesus’ words because it doesn’t fit with our agenda. We need to remember whose agenda matters. By pleasing God, you will find that you are really pleasing yourself and others, not just God. It is sometimes hard to give up things we think are fun but we know are sinful. We need to get past the place of denial that we sin, turn to God and seek his forgiveness.
If we agree that everything truly belongs to God, does that make a difference in how you will treat those things entrusted to you? Think on that a minute. I know I feel sad when I break a dish or something crashes to floor (the tile floors here are not forgiving)! I wish I had been more careful. Those are little things. What about the biggies?
Let’s pray. Lord you know we are not perfect, and yet you love us anyway. I’m feeling a bit down today as I reflect on how I have mistreated things in the past. You have entrusted very special things, especially our children, to our care. Forgive me for times when I could have done better at parenting. Forgive me for my selfish desires. Thank you for giving me a heart of compassion and care for others, to the point of being too helpful sometimes. I do ask for your wisdom to know what will “benefit” others rather than what I think will “help” them. Give me discernment. Thank you for all of the blessings you have given me. I look forward to each new day at getting better at being your disciple and steward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
