“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
Luke 16:3-6
Jesus continues the story of the accused manager, detailing the plan this man makes to be able to survive after he loses his job. He conspires with those who owe money to his boss to lessen their debt so that they will be generous to him later. This seems to indicate that he was in fact mishandling the accounts with which he had been entrusted.
We all understand the issues that come with a financial setback or loss of employment. It is frightening to be without the means of supporting ourselves and those we love. However, this man immediately turns to unethical means to resolve the problem, without calling on God for help and using the gifts given us to find a solution that does not compromise our relationship with God and others.
How do we react when we are faced with difficult situations? Are we tempted to take the easy way out, rather than admitting we may have been wrong or being humble enough to ask for help? God has given us the means and the responsibility to deal with the problems of our lives. Turning to Him is always the first step.
Gracious God, we are grateful for the gifts You give to enable us to live and work in our world. Help us to see our problems in the light of Your love and work to solve them in connection with You. Amen.