September 19; Proper 20 (Lk 16:1-13)
This text confuses my mind. I suspect it is in part because it feels that several sayings loosely tied to the notion of wealth have been tossed together. But I suspect just as confusing for me is Jesus' total disregard for ethical business practices. He does not seem tuned into the profit motive. This dishonest steward is ripping off the master of his wealth gained through acceptable channels, I suppose. Something has happened to this steward, he knows he is kicked out of a system that has controlled his life. Once that security is gone, he opts in a totally different direction. He operates as though he is no longer beholden to the economic system. He finally can allow people some space to survive, eliminating the exploitation they have known. I recall a friend saying no one got rich in the ancient world without exploiting others and making friends with exploiters. Freed from the promise and security of his boss, he now cares for the people and they in turn will come to care for him. Where do we see people acting in this kind of freedom? No wonder I am confused! These practices defy all we know.
The Harper Collins Study Bible has some useful footnoting for this pericope, particularly relating to the nature of the wealth that the majordomo (I love using that word) is writing off...more likely than not, he's telling the two debtors to write off his own commission. He's not so much cheating the master as he is destroying his own monetary profit base in order to win favor with the people. An interesting glimpse into the socioeconomic realities of the Roman-occupied eastern Mediterranean...we'll see how it preaches on Sunday.
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