How shrewd are you?

In Luke 16, Jesus shares a story with His disciples about a dishonest manager. This man was not using his managerial gifting to his masters advantage but rather had been embezzling his masters wealth for his own gain.

On being exposed the man realized he was not strong enough to work and he was to proud to beg so he devised a plan. He called in all his masters debtors and had them re-adjust what they owed to their advantage, ingratiating himself with them so that they would look after him in the future. In verse 8 it says that the master commended the dishonest manager for acting shrewdly. This commendation was not for his dishonesty but for his shrewdness. What does it mean to be shrewd? It originally meant foresight. That is, someone who has the ability to look at the present circumstances and then make wise decisions for the future. A businessperson who foresore the Global Financial Crisis and made adjustments to his business would be said to be shrewd.

Jesus then goes on to draw a comparison between worldly people and the people of God.

Worldly people, he says, are more shrewd, even though they only consider this mortal life. They still make plans for their future; their retirement and old age. If believers were shrewd they would spend their finances and resources preparing for their future, which is not in this world but for eternity. In verse 9 Jesus encourages us to use our wealth to advance the things of the Kingdom, thereby making ourselves friends in heaven. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples and us that no servant can serve two masters.

How shrewd are you? Are you investing in the things of this world that will pass away or are you investing in the Kingdom?