Episode 993
How Can We Be Streetwise for Justice?
The salient point of today's discussion revolves around the intricate parable of the Crooked Manager as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. This narrative compels us to contemplate the nature of survival within flawed systems, challenging our binary perceptions of right and wrong. Throughout our exploration, we delve into the themes of economic justice and creative resistance, suggesting that unconventional actions can lead to more equitable outcomes. We emphasize the necessity of innovative thinking intertwined with radical grace, particularly in the face of adversity. As we conclude, we invite you to reflect on your own engagement with economic systems and consider actionable steps toward fostering justice and integrity in your daily practices.
The podcast presents an engaging exploration of the parable of the Crooked Manager, a narrative that invites listeners to reconsider the relationship between ethics and survival within the context of economic systems. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, articulates a progressive interpretation of this parable from the Gospel of Luke, wherein a manager, facing termination, cunningly reduces the debts of his master's clients. This act, while ostensibly dishonest, provokes a thoughtful examination of the moral complexities inherent in survival situations, prompting listeners to reflect on the necessity of creative problem-solving amidst ethical ambiguity.
Dr. Miller elaborates on three significant themes that arise from the parable. The first theme addresses the notion that survival is rarely a straightforward endeavor; instead, it often requires individuals to navigate the murky waters of morality when confronted with systemic challenges. He draws on personal anecdotes, illustrating how real-life dilemmas frequently reside in the gray areas, where conventional moral judgments may not suffice. The second theme revolves around the idea of economic justice as a sacred responsibility, suggesting that the manager's actions, while questionable, ultimately fostered a degree of fairness among those burdened by debt. This reflection aligns with contemporary movements advocating for economic equity, urging listeners to consider their role in promoting justice in their own financial dealings.
The final theme emphasizes the need for creative resistance against economic oppression, advocating for innovative thinking as a means to challenge unjust systems. Dr. Miller encourages the audience to critically evaluate their personal economic choices and consider actions that contribute to a more equitable society. He concludes the episode with a prayer for insight and courage, inviting listeners to seek guidance in their financial practices and societal contributions. This episode not only provides a rich theological analysis of the parable but also serves as an inspirational call to action for individuals striving to enact positive change in their communities.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible from a progressive perspective, allowing listeners to engage with scripture in a relatable manner.
- I share insights into the parable of the crooked manager, illustrating the complexities of survival and ethical decision-making within a flawed system.
- We explore how economic justice can be viewed as sacred work, highlighting the necessity of addressing exploitative practices in our communities.
- The discussion encourages listeners to critically examine their participation in economic inequality and to take concrete steps towards ethical financial practices.
- I reflect on the need for creative resistance to oppression, showcasing how innovative thinking can lead to dismantling unjust systems.
- The episode underscores the significance of navigating complex societal structures with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice for all.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable but with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
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Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends subscrib.
Speaker A:Here's today's Reading so today's reading is.
Speaker B:From the Gospel of Luke 16:1 13 Reading from the message the Story of the Crooked Manager Jesus said to his disciples, there was once a rich man who had a manager.
Speaker B:He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses.
Speaker B:So he called him and said, what's this I hear about you?
Speaker B:You're fired and I want a complete audit of your books.
Speaker B:The manager said to himself, what am I going to do?
Speaker B:I've lost my job as a manager.
Speaker B:I'm not strong enough for a laboring job and I'm too proud to beg.
Speaker B:Ah, I've got a plan.
Speaker B:Here's what I'll do.
Speaker B:Then when I'm turned out into the streets, people will take me into their houses.
Speaker B:They went at it one after another.
Speaker B:He called in the people who were in debt to his master and he said to the first, how much money do you owe my master?
Speaker B:He replied, a hundred jugs of olive oil.
Speaker B:The manager said, here, take your bill, sit down and quick.
Speaker B:Now write 50 to the next.
Speaker B:He said, and you, what do you owe?
Speaker B:He answered, a hundred sacks of wheat.
Speaker B:He said, take your bill, write in 80.
Speaker B:Now here's a surprise.
Speaker B:The master praised the crooked manager and why?
Speaker B:Because he knew how to look after himself.
Speaker B:Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law abiding citizens.
Speaker B:They're on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits.
Speaker B:I want you to be smart in the same way, but for what is right.
Speaker B:Using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials so that you'll live, really live and not complacently just get by in your good behavior.
Speaker B:God sees behind appearances.
Speaker B:Jesus went on to make these comments.
Speaker B:If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things.
Speaker B:If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things.
Speaker B:If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store?
Speaker B:No worker can serve two bosses who either hate the first and love the second, or adore the first and despise the second.
Speaker B:You can't serve God in the bank.
Speaker B:An interesting reading from the scripture here Today.
Speaker B:We're going to get into it here.
Speaker B:It's about surviving with grace.
Speaker B:It's basically taking a different look at success.
Speaker B:You know, sometimes we just need to see things a little different, differently.
Speaker B:And this is a bit of a conundrum, a bit of a puzzling passage from Jesus, this parable of the crooked manager.
Speaker B:You know, I've spent a lot of time dealing with a lot of people in difficult circumstances, including cancer, impacted people.
Speaker B:They're in challenging situations.
Speaker B:And sometimes you go into survival mode, you know, to do whatever it takes and however you need to do it.
Speaker B:But what we're talking here about is about creative, innovative thinking interlocked with radical grace.
Speaker B:Let's now look at three points to ponder about this passage.
Speaker B:The first one is that survival isn't simple.
Speaker B:This parable challenges kind of our, you know, black and white thinking about right and wrong.
Speaker B:You know, my wife and I are raising our three children over our 30, almost 34 years of marriage.
Speaker B:We've read a lot of the books and tried a lot of the processes, but real life happens often not in what do you learn in a book, but is in the gray areas.
Speaker B:How do you deal with things in those confusing kind of in between moments?
Speaker B:The manager's actions here remind us that sometimes surviving means working within a broken system and trying to work within it to still create a better outcome.
Speaker B:A second point here is about economic justice as sacred work.
Speaker B:Let's look a little deeper when the manager is actually reducing the exploitative debts that were happening to the people that he was working with.
Speaker B:Much like modern debt forgiveness movements that are out there, sometimes we have to kind of adjust and change to make it really ultimately fair for everyone.
Speaker B:The manager's actions while unconventional and some may question it, but they created more economic equality for all.
Speaker B:The second point, a third point, is about creative resistance to oppression.
Speaker B:Jesus praises the manager's streetwise creativity, not his dishonesty.
Speaker B:You know, like my wife and I, when we hike on a difficult trail.
Speaker B:Sometimes we need to find an alternate path, sometimes we just need to be smart about it.
Speaker B:And depending on resources, water and other things too, we want to reach our destination.
Speaker B:Sometimes maybe one path is better than another.
Speaker B:This story here invites us to think creatively about dismantling unjust economic systems.
Speaker B:Let's talk about an action step today.
Speaker B:Examine one way or another you might be participating in some sort of economic inequality, maybe through your spending habits, investment choices or banking practices.
Speaker B:Take a concrete step towards more ethical economic participation.
Speaker B:Maybe you need to move your money to a more resource which uses more equitable form of banking, a community bank for instance, or some worker owned business over some corporate entity or join some sort of economic justice initiative.
Speaker B:Several things that you can do we're going to pray about all this in just a minute, but I want you to know that we have a resource for you about your own Daily Bible Study to help you to sort out challenging passages like this one here.
Speaker B:Today you go over to our website voiceofgoddaily.com that's where you can pick up our resource which is the ABC123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker B:Let's pray God, you're the source of all grace.
Speaker B:Help us to navigate the complex systems of our world, both in wisdom and compassion.
Speaker B:Give us creativity to find new ways of creating justice, courage to challenge unfair systems, and discernment to know when to work within structures and when to transform them.
Speaker B:Guide us in using our resources in ways that promote dignity and equality for all.
Speaker B:Remind us that your economy is one of abundance, not scarcity, of sharing rather than hoarding.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
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Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
