SHREWD INVESTING (43 OF 52)
Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
This content is part of a series.
Shrewd Investing (43 of 52)
Series: Discipleship Part Two
Christopher B. Harbin
Luke 16:1-13
We hear we should make investments for our future. We should think like the ant of the proverb, storing away food for the oncoming winter days. We should work not simply for the moment, but also for the future, thinking and planning ahead for ''a rainy day.'' What we may not be told along with this is that we need to invest in what really matters. We need to prepare for the future according to what is important to us and to our future. In that context, what does it really mean to be shrewd in our investing choices and options? What are the goals for which we plan? What are the purposes that give structure and value to our investment strategies?
There are some of Jesus' sayings I don't care for. Today's parable is one of them. It seems too out of character with the rest of Jesus' recorded teaching and ministry. Normally we get a positive message, something that tells us how we should act, even when Jesus is critiquing customs and traditions of his day. He often told stories in which religious leaders saw themselves portrayed negatively, but this parable takes a distinct tack along those lines. It neither follows Jesus' standard formulas of presentation nor provides a clear example to follow or discredit. This parable calls for something altogether different.
In the world of business dealings, we are used to people acting badly. We accept it as a matter of course. We go so far as to reward them. We watch the powerful pressing advantage without raising an eyebrow. We see corporate interests push aside smaller players, whether banks, technology, big box retail, or hospital systems. We know this creates hardship, while a few sail to new economic heights. We are also aware that even large corporations eventually find themselves on the receiving end of strategies designed to topple others. This dog eat dog strategy leaves no one protected forever.
In the ancient w ...
Series: Discipleship Part Two
Christopher B. Harbin
Luke 16:1-13
We hear we should make investments for our future. We should think like the ant of the proverb, storing away food for the oncoming winter days. We should work not simply for the moment, but also for the future, thinking and planning ahead for ''a rainy day.'' What we may not be told along with this is that we need to invest in what really matters. We need to prepare for the future according to what is important to us and to our future. In that context, what does it really mean to be shrewd in our investing choices and options? What are the goals for which we plan? What are the purposes that give structure and value to our investment strategies?
There are some of Jesus' sayings I don't care for. Today's parable is one of them. It seems too out of character with the rest of Jesus' recorded teaching and ministry. Normally we get a positive message, something that tells us how we should act, even when Jesus is critiquing customs and traditions of his day. He often told stories in which religious leaders saw themselves portrayed negatively, but this parable takes a distinct tack along those lines. It neither follows Jesus' standard formulas of presentation nor provides a clear example to follow or discredit. This parable calls for something altogether different.
In the world of business dealings, we are used to people acting badly. We accept it as a matter of course. We go so far as to reward them. We watch the powerful pressing advantage without raising an eyebrow. We see corporate interests push aside smaller players, whether banks, technology, big box retail, or hospital systems. We know this creates hardship, while a few sail to new economic heights. We are also aware that even large corporations eventually find themselves on the receiving end of strategies designed to topple others. This dog eat dog strategy leaves no one protected forever.
In the ancient w ...
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