Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

Jesus opens today by telling his disciples a parable, but apparently the Pharisees are

still in the crowd listening.

In my opinion, this is one of his most confusing parables, in part because of his use of irony.

A rich man's household manager has slacked on collecting money people owe his boss.

He gets fired, but his pride and entitlement motivate him to action.

He hustles in a last-ditch effort to reclaim his job and he manages to collect most of the

money.

Being fair to the boss isn't his goal, but it all works out in his favor.

Jesus calls him shrewd.

Thord shrewd in itself isn't good or bad, but the tone of the parable seems to convey

that Jesus isn't on board with his methods.

He uses this guy as an illustration, showing how the worldly are wiser in worldly matters

than the disciples are in eternal matters.

He wants them to wise up.

And this is where Jesus inserts some irony.

In verse 9, it seems like he's saying, this guy is so concerned about being welcomed

into people's homes that he's willing to be dishonest.

If you attempt that with my eternal dwelling place, you will fail.

No amount of wealth or shrewdness can get you there.

Jesus implores them to value true things, eternal things.

True riches are eternal riches.

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