“The Parable of the Shrewd Manager”

Luke 16:1-13

The life of discipleship is responding to the invitation of Jesus. It is a willingness to live in way that says no to our corrupted heart seeking self-importance and self-preservation. There is a line in Psalm 36 that says “sin whispers in the depths of the heart.” The self-deception that we all face is thinking that focusing on the self will make the self more happy. But this leads us away from discipleship and away from the joy of Christ. Rather, it is humility and faith actually get us there. The main difference between disciples and the Pharisees was a willingness to respond to the invitation of Jesus, trusting his wisdom above their own. The Pharisees guard their earthly attachments and call it righteous. They suffer the same idolatry that they themselves teach against.