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How to be Shrewd
The word shrewd is only used in one place in the Bible.
It means
Astuteness or craftiness in dealings with others, especially in using one’s understanding and judgment to one’s own advantage.
Manser, M. H. (2009).
Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies.
London: Martin Manser.
So, it is essentially a form of wisdom and discernment when dealing with others that can be used for personal gain.
The Bible does talk about this kind of wisdom in different ways throughout scriptures without using the word.
The wisdom of the world is talked about in as something that is much different than the wisdom that is from God.
They come from entirely different sources.
One is from understanding the mind of God in what He reveals where the other is essentially accepting the natural thoughts that man might come up with during his short time on the earth.
Near the end of that discussion he says
James talks about wisdom from above and compares it with earthly wisdom.
He says,
James 3:15-
What we often see Jesus say is that those who love the world and are focused on the world’s things are against those who love God and are focused on His purposes.
These are the foundational concepts for what the apostles will later reveal in detail.
Parable of the Shrewd Steward
So, this wasteful steward got caught and decides to make some quick deals to provide a future for himself.
He takes 3 years worth of wages in debt and cuts it in half.
He takes 8-10 years worth of wages and cuts it by 20%.
The master does not get upset about it.
This may be a shocking parable.
Why would an unrighteous and even evil man be commended?
This parable has a lengthy ending to help with that explanation, but first I’d like to notice that He says “the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation.”
First, He says “the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation.”
Point 1 - These are the Sons of this World
This shows us that He is trying to get a point across to help those who He is talking to understand what they have to look forward to.
The people who will fight against you have complicated and deceitful ways similar to Satan’s words in the garden.
We see this in the world every day when we pay attention.
We see the temptations that are thrown at us on our cell phones, our TVs, our Computers.
It is plastered on billboards and discretely hidden inside of the most popular TV shows.
They twist truth and take advantage of generosity.
would typically be owed, but regardless the master loses a sizable amount of money by this action and he’s not upset about it.
No
In this case the man is reducing debts owed to the master.
It may be that these amounts are some interest that has built up or some fees that the steward, but He makes a crafty decision to preserve himself.
He embezzles from his master.
Jesus’ point is that we also must be crafty and discerning about spiritual things that preserve spiritual life for ourselves and those around us.
Point 2 - Eternity Matters
The explanation doesn’t end there though.
In this discussion about the parable we see that God wants to trust us with true riches, but He will not if we are not faithful over a little.
So, Jesus wants us to see that the choice to take advantage of God’s generosity will result in comfort in this life, but eternity will be a little different.
There is no command for acting shrewdly to accomplish evil given here.
I think that the words here by Jesus are similar.
He wants His disciples to be on watch and not suffer harm at the expense of those wolves.
He also wants us to be as crafty about gaining eternally reward from God.
Using a bad example
Some might say that Jesus showing a man who is dishonest receiving praise is not a good way to get the point accross, but He has done this in as well to discuss an unrighteous judge.
Luke 18
He uses these kinds of examples because they spark interest and the need to see God’s purpose in a world filled with a mixture of unjust experiences.
We want a different kind of shrewdness.
We want to be wise and discerning.
How to be Shrewd
1. Be Faithful in a Very Little
10-11
The worldly wisdom has all kind of little rules for getting rich.
You just have to do the little things right and be disciplined in those and you will one day experience the joys of the super rich.
In this case, Jesus shows us that God is giving us something very little while we are here to see what we will do with it.
You should be thinking of the other parable we just studied about the talents.
God will add to them more than is deserved.
This sparks a question of “How committed are you to God?” Do you think that God doesn’t see how faithful you are over the resources God blesses you with?
Is God really going to reward you by putting you as a ruler over even angels if you aren’t faithful to the little things that are given to you?
You and I must recognize our great responsibility and make sure that we aren’t becoming a self server.
When He says you cannot serve God and mammon He says you must choose God or your possessions.
Your heart must be faithful so that you are choosing to do for God instead of doing for yourself.
2. Be Spiritually Focused
Matt 10:
1 cor 2 3-
Luke 16:
God wanted to share with us the most wise and discerning act that has every been conceived and fulfilled so that we can partake of spiritual life!
His work should never be hijacked and used to glorify ourselves.
We simply use our money and possessions to glorify God.
We instead set up ways to hold to our God and Savior.
Our home is nearing completion and I feel the draw to stay at this house and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
To eat, drink, and be merry, but I know I have been given this gift to glorify God with it.
We must choose to honor God with our money.
We are tested to see if we are going to preserve our temporal life or spiritual life.
2. The Wisdom Ought to be Spiritually Focused
As we saw these Sons of the World acting shrewdly to preserve their life, we are to use wisdom from God to preserve our spiritual life.
The Lovers of Money
:1-3
Our time here is spent as stewards of God’s blessings.
A life focused on retirement is not wise.
You get to be 65 and retire then you die at 66.
You get to where you can afford anything and you can’t enjoy it for long.
It all ends.
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