Being crafty is not necessarily a bad thing.
The serpent in Genesis 3:1 is described as “crafty” and yet the same Hebrew word is translated as “wise/ prudent” in Proverbs 14:15, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Craftiness or shrewdness can be a good or bad thing – depending on what it’s used for.
Jesus told a parable about a crafty manager (the unjust steward) and astounding, seemingly, commended his actions.
At our church recently, David Hawkins did a great job preaching on this passage from Luke 16:1-13. His sermon was entitled, “Christ-like Craftiness“.
In the parable a manager discovers that he is going to be fired soon. Before leaving his office, he slyly cooks the books by lessening the debts owed to his Master by some rich clients. The Master finds out and is amazed at his manager’s ingenuity in making a plan to secure future employment.
Jesus says in v8-9, “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”
This passage is notoriously difficult to interpret as it seems at first glance that Jesus is commending dishonesty. However, this is not the case. Jesus commends the manager’s ingenuity, “shrewdness” and street-smarts.
A few observations from this controversial parable:
1. Eternal perspective
Jesus wants us to be crafty and wise for the sake of his Kingdom. If “the sons of this world” use ingenuity and innovation for worldly gain, how much more should Christians as “sons/ daughters of light” be entrepreneurial and innovative for the cause of Christ? If non-Christians can be wise about their money and resources for this world that will ultimately “fail”, how much more should we be crafty and wise with our money and resources for the sake of the gospel that secures “eternal dwellings”?
2. Faithful innovation
Jesus went on to say, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (v10-11)
This Parable of the Manager comes straight after the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We are told that the prodigal son “squandered his property in reckless living” (15:13). In contrast, Jesus’ disciples (16:1) are to be “shrewd” (v8) and “faithful” (v10, 11) with their resources and money. Being faithful in this context means more than just saving our money. Being faithful means being resourceful, wise and innovative with our money and resources for the Kingdom.
Faithfulness is more than just showing up. Faithfulness is being a wise and innovative steward of that which God has given you.
3. Gospel priority
Jesus ended this teaching with a huge challenge, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (v13)
So, who are you serving? Perhaps ask yourself, “What ultimately motivates me? What do I pray for? What do I desire for my children?” Is it Jesus and his Kingdom, or is it accumulating wealth? Am I perhaps more concerned with “unrighteous wealth” than “true riches“?
A word to the wise
Prince Frederick “the Wise” lived at the time of Martin Luther during the time of Protestant Reformation in Europe in the 16th Century. Luther was greatly used by God to protest the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church, expound books of the Bible, clearly articulate the doctrine of Justification by Faith, and translate the New Testament into German. However, for all the great Word ministry Luther was involved in, his life would have been (humanly speaking) much shorter if it were not for Prince Frederick’s craftiness and ingenuity in protecting and safeguarding Luther. Luther accomplished much; but there was a crafty, innovative, street-wise prince backing him.
Our churches need more princes.
Our churches are full of resourceful people and I’m sure you are one.
Will you use your resources to back your church and its Word ministry?
How could you be innovative and crafty in using your time for the cause of Christ?
How could you be entrepreneurial and street-smart in using your resources in supporting Gospel initiatives?
How could you manage your finances better to be more generous for the cause of Christ and his Kingdom?
If the people of this world are wise and innovative with their resources to achieve temporary rewards, how much more should we as sons and daughter of light be wise and innovative to achieve eternal rewards and riches?
How could you be wonderfully crafty with what God has entrusted to you?
Our time, treasure and talents are fundamentally not ours. We are all managers of what belongs to God.
On another occasion, Jesus said, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)