The Shrewd

So I'm a fan of the plots and characters of Jesus' stories. Really. In one [Luke 16:1-12] Jesus unearths a corrupt rich man (Guido) who plans on firing his villainous manager (Tiny). So Tiny immediately acts 'shrewdly' and cuts the debt of some of Guido's debtors so that he'll have a friend or two when he's on skid row.

Yeah, Guido praises him for this, I know, and this is Jesus' point to the story. Is the most righteous Son in existence condoning lying and cheating and stealing? Nope. Guido knew he was overcharging and abusing his debtors (common practice in the culture since charging interest was unlawful amongst the Jews) and Tiny knew it and abused his boss like any disciple of corruption would...two evil men in awe of how creative yet practical their villainy can be.

phronimos (gk): shrewd - to think sensibly, prudently, practically in relationships and situations

In a reverse-tipsy-upside-downsy-pulp-fictionesque-sort-of-way Jesus commends us to get creatively wise and practically shrewd with our resources by way of two shady characters.

Guido and Tiny and others around us who are only interested in the happenings of the physical world are doing a better job winning others over than most followers of the Lover of this world.

Sure, this has a little do with money but it's so much bigger than that, it also touches on our vocational and social positions, talents, gifts, material belongings, time and energy etc.

I wonder if Jesus is praising Tiny's creativity. I wonder if the Creator is teaching His disciples, you and I, that vision and risk, creativity and imagination, practical application, knowledge, spiritual wisdom and humility need to come together in beautiful and powerful ways in order to share the Son of that very Creator with Guido's world. Isn't this simply responding as Christ would, with His attitude, with His sensibilities.

Is the ultimate Counselor, our internal Spiritual Guide, capable of such creativity within the Body?

Step outside and open your eyes, breathe in.

Stroll through a museum and contemplate.

Check your heart, abilities, desires.

He is the creative Head of His church.
You are His body.
God channels vast amounts of His creativity through man.

Be that kind of shrewd.