The Strange Story
Scripture: “He also said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions'” (Luke 16.1).
Major Point: Jesus often teaches profound truths through the most unexpected stories.
Of all the parables Jesus told, this one about a dishonest manager might be the most puzzling. No lost sheep finding their way home, no Good Samaritan showing mercy, no seeds producing abundant harvest. Instead, we have a man who gets fired for mismanaging his boss’s money, then apparently cheats his way to commendation. What could Jesus possibly be teaching through such a morally ambiguous character?
Sometimes God’s truth comes wrapped in surprising packages. The prophet Amos spoke harsh words to those who “trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end” (Amos 8:4), yet even in judgment, God’s purpose was redemption. Similarly, this strange parable isn’t endorsing dishonesty—it’s revealing something deeper about crisis, grace, and God’s surprising ways of working in our world.
The beauty of Jesus’ parables is that they force us to look beyond surface appearances to deeper spiritual realities. This manager’s story will teach us about moments of crisis that strip away all pretense and force us to confront our desperate need for grace.
Reflection: God often uses unexpected people and situations to teach us about His grace. What surprising ways has God worked in your life? How has He used difficult or confusing circumstances to draw you closer to Him?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our hearts to receive Your truth even when it comes in unexpected ways. Help us to see Your grace working in all circumstances of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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