The Parable Of The Sly Bastard

I was reminded of a story that I was told about Henry Ford, that he at one time donated $50 to a small local hospital, only to read with horror the following day, in a local paper, that he had reputedly made a donation of $500! What was he to do? Ford contacted the paper, who promised to print up a full retraction in the next issue, making it clear that he had actually only donated $50, and yet he was already the talk of the town - loved and admired by all for an act of generosity that hadn‘t actually taken place!

In Ford’s case, I was told, he agreed to donate the $500, providing that he could choose the verse from the Bible that was to be displayed over the new entrance to the hospital. They agreed, and he chose the verse from Matthew 25:35 to be displayed right out the front of the hospital: “I was a stranger and you took me in”

In the case of the duped master in the parable, who presumably lost a lot more than $500, more sinister options come to mind. No doubt he had contacts who could have discreetly taken care of this shonky ex-employee, and have had him sleeping with the fishes long before the sly rogue got a chance to enjoy the hospitality of all his new-found friends.

But the master is not like that, and no doubt the shonky manager had traded off that knowledge. He laughs it all off. Indeed, we are told that he commends this cheating sleaze-bag accountant, shaking his head but smiling nonetheless and saying, “Congratulations, you sly bastard.” (nb. that’s the Australian translation).

And Jesus then concludes this story by Himself commending the example of the shonky steward to His disciples: “You could learn something from this guy!”

“Learn what?” is the obvious response! In what possible way is this guy supposed to reflect the ideals of discipleship? And if this guy represents the disciple, does that mean that the warm-hearted but soft-headed boss-man is supposed to represent God?

An allegorical interpretation of this parable is not easy. We don’t normally think of God as being quite so morally flexible when it comes to lying, stealing, using and abusing. Indeed, we like to think of God as the one who is going to judge all those things! But even if we can get past the depiction of God as the boss, can we really identify ourselves with this sleazy white-collar criminal? Surely this man embodies almost everything that Jesus railed against! He lies, he cheats, he manipulates and he loves money! He is lazy, dishonest, arrogant and shameless. He may have all the qualities it takes to make a great and successful politician but hardly any that we’d normally associate with Christian discipleship!

And yet perhaps, as I’m suggesting, the key is to recognise that this story is not an allegory. Perhaps this is instead some more of Jesus’ wisdom teaching!

You will remember that we heard some of the wisdom teaching of Jesus a couple of weeks ago when He encouraged us to hate our mothers and fathers and partners and children and to basically despise everything and everybody that means anything to us if we want to move ahead as disciples! (Luke 14:25ff)