Yesterday we looked at the strange parable of the Shrewd Manager and reflected on verses 8 and 9 as it appears in The Message:

Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior. (Luke 16.8, 9, MSG)

Unfortunately, that’s what a lot of us do: “Complacently just get by on good behavior” instead of really living. Going to church is good behavior. Leaving a conversation with your friend so you can meet someone new might be “really living.” Cutting your grass so your yard isn’t an eyesore is good behavior. Cutting your neighbor’s grass if they’re sick or on travel might be really living.

Here’s a stunner: I’ve never heard anyone tie the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus at the end of Luke 16 with the parable of the shrewd manager at the beginning of Luke 16.

“Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteousness wealth…” (Luke 16.9, ESV) The rich man did not make friends with his wealth. He could have helped Lazarus who would then have received the rich man at Abraham’s side. 

“They have Moses and the prophets” who are clear about how we should take care of the poor. The rich man was “complacently getting by on good behavior.” There’s no record that he cheated to get his money or was mean to anyone. He probably went to synagogue every week. He just didn’t extend himself. Maybe he just wasn’t paying attention. He certainly didn’t take any action. And, by the way, he ended up in hell.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3.17, 18, ESV)