Based on Jeremiah 8:21 – 9:1, 1Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:8-13
The English word “master” is quite interesting and adaptable. Often, we think of the word “master” as someone who is the head of a household, or historically here in the U.S. as someone who owned slaves. It can also be used to describe rooms in a house such as the “master bathroom” or to indicate that someone has achieved a high degree of proficiency in something – a master of painting, sculpture, chess or cooking. We even have “Masters” degrees which denote a level of knowledge gained in a field which is above the entry level. While I hold a Master’s of Divinity degree, I do not consider that I have mastered that subject matter. Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers” suggested that one could acquire mastery of something by dedicated focus and practice for 10,000 hours. This became a popular marker and goal of those who pursued mastery of whatever subject or talent – yet mastery is more than hours spent at a task.
People seek to master something not just for the ability to do things better than most other people, it is often sought out for the power and prestige that comes along with the title. The title Master means that one has perceived or actual power and influence over others. That power and influence were found historically in kings, who ruled over their subjects and controlled all aspects of their lives. Other historical equivalents to kings were the Robber Barons and other industry titans who created monopolies that controlled all aspects of the lives of the people who worked for them. Being that kind of Master has a seductive quality to it that is difficult to ignore or to avoid – after all, who is above tempting pull of worldly power? While there are some in the world who have always sought to master others, very few of us grow up with the thought that we wish to have our lives controlled by a master.
The scriptures which you heard read today speak to us of YHWH, the all-powerful and unconditionally loving Master of the Universe. This Master has told all believers that they are to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength – and to love their neighbors as they are loved by God. Yet, this unconditionally loving Master is ignored so that the people can follow a worldly Master. The reading from Jeremiah is from a section of the Book known as “Judgement and Tears”. Here the lament of God over a people who have chosen to follow lesser idols is clearly stated. God asks the people through the prophet why they have not sought the healing that God provides? God also speaks of great sorrow over the destructive consequence the people have brought on themselves due to their unbelief.
In like fashion, Jesus tells a parable of a dishonest manager who is rewarded somewhat for knowing how to work the system in which he lives. The dishonest manager is caught red-handed by his boss and will lose his position. On his way out, he makes some deals with debtors who owe much to the rich master. The master sees that he will at least receive some money and is impressed by the manager’s shrewdness. Yet, Jesus goes on to say that people who are dishonest with a little will be dishonest with much; that handling our worldly wealth in an untrustworthy manner will keep us from “true riches” and property. Finally, Jesus says that no one can serve more than one master at a time.
The author of 1Timothy shows us how to serve and honor the Master of the Universe by offering “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people” even for those who are considered earthly Masters (e.g., kings and those in authority). If we do this, the author states that we will live “peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. The writer goes on to remind us that this behavior is good and pleasing to the One God our Savior and God’s mediator for us, Jesus the Messiah.
Our lives are full of choices and bring the rewards or consequences that follow those decisions. We can choose to be mastered by things of the world and to seek worldly power, prestige, wealth and all things material or we have the free will to choose to follow the counter-cultural and downward path of Jesus. We cannot choose both, for if we try to walk both sides of the road, we will be fruitful in neither endeavor.
I found this to be true in my own faith journey. I was firmly established in my professional role and was making a salary commensurate with my education and experience. Over time, as I grew in my relationship with God, I found that I was no longer content with my pharmacist role – my call from God was evolving. There came a decision point where I realized the truth of serving the wrong Master and I chose instead to follow God. This new call would be to humbly serve the Master of the Universe in ways that I could never have imagined.
How do you answer the question “Who’s Your Master?” – what do you value most in your life? To help answer that question, Professor Mary Schertz offers some insights for us on the parable from Luke noting, “…The best reading of the parable is one that takes into account its setting in Luke’s Gospel. The theme of the preceding chapter had to do with table fellowship and celebrations over those who are ‘found.’ This chapter and some of the material following have to do with possessions and wealth - which create a twofold crisis for the steward. Not only has he wasted possessions that belonged to his master; he has been found out. His behavior is not only a breach of financial responsibility but also an act that affects his relationship with the master.
As he quells his panic and begins to deal with the situation, he acts in two ways that are commendable. He accepts some financial responsibility in reducing the debts, and at the same time he translates economic realities into relational realities. Whatever the outcome, whether he repays the amount by which he reduced the debts or is fired, he has created good relations with a variety of people. It is his resourcefulness and his realization that friends are more important than money that finally commends the steward to the consideration of the disciples.
The parable…is a classic ‘how much more’ parable. If even a shifty steward realizes that relationships are more important than money, how much more should the children of light realize that ‘true riches’ have to do with relationships rather than wealth or possessions. It is in fact, as Jesus concludes, impossible to truly serve God if one is also trying to serve wealth and possessions….”
It is easy in the U.S. to get caught up in the scarcity mindset – the need to always acquire and amass more things and more wealth. Amassing tangible assets gives us a sense of comfort and uneasy peace, however, the financial markets and elected officials control what happens to our investments. When the worst happens, who can we turn to for comfort? Having trusted in worldly masters, with whom we have no real relationship, we are left out in the cold to make our way.
The parable of the “Dishonest Manager” points to a truth that is center to understanding the gospel of Jesus – relationships are more valuable than money and things. How much more do we receive in blessings, comfort, joy and “treasures in heaven” when we invest ourselves in each other and in our neighbors? When I walked away from my life as a hospital clinical pharmacist consultant, I left behind a world of surface-level relationships and “what have you done for me today” mentalities. Life in Intensive Care practice was one crisis after another – there was no ability to develop deep and lasting relationships. I realized that I was searching for a deeper level of meaning than just striving to heal critically ill and injured people. In place of that world of immediacy, God gave me an opportunity to develop deep and abiding relationships with people across the span of life. What I gave up in earned income has been vastly repaid by my relationships with beloved children of God like you. I’ve been abundantly compensated by being able to point the people of God; to remind God’s people that they have a choice in this world, to choose to follow the Master of the Universe and invest in deep and abiding relationships with God and neighbor instead of the lesser idols of worldly power, wealth and transactional relationships. It is a truth that we all worship and be mastered by something or someone. Let us maximize our investment in our relationship with the Master who gives us abundant life. Amen and amen!