Motives, good and bad, are at the heart of today’s Gospel? So, what might ours be? (Luke 16.1-13)
Context
Among the welter of news about Brexit, one quite different story has grabbed my attention. I have often wondered why anyone would want to swim across one of the hold’s busiest shipping lanes; yet this week, Sarah Thomas, an American lady has become the first person to swim it four times non-stop. Why? Swimming, it turns out, has been a passion for many years even before her cancer diagnosis. But her specific achievement is, she said ‘for those of us who have prayed for our lives, who have wondered with despair about what comes next, and have battled through pain and fear to overcome’.
Reflection
Why does anyone attempt a record? Have you ever considered breaking a record? I am not athletic enough to manage many records, but many years ago, I dreamed of attempting the Tube Challenge record (visiting every London underground station) – though I never actually tried it. What record might you break?
One might say that the central character in today’s Gospel was attempting a record level of dishonesty. I have been distressed recently as some people I know defend dishonesty arguing that all politicians tell lies. I take the opposite view and would never knowingly vote for a liar. But in telling this story, is Jesus taking the dishonest manager’s side or not? Verses 9 and 11 seem to offer opposite interpretations of the story. At least one interpreter sees the story essentially as a warning. On this basis, the manager is commended not for his dishonesty but for his recognition of the seriousness of the situation in which he finds himself and his determination to do something about it. The manager is about to be sacked. So he takes urgent action designed to protect his future, not so much by cheating the master but more by using part of his – the manager’s – commission to remit to some of those who owed debts.
Are there circumstances in which what we sometimes call ‘white lies’ are appropriate? Are we required to ‘speak the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4.15) absolutely always? What about cases where we are required, at least for a time, to maintain confidentiality? For example, as a former civil servant I remain bound by the Official Secrets Act not to reveal some things which I learned; after nearly 20 years there is little important that I still remember, but nevertheless I remain aware of the obligation.
Are our motives always pure? This Gospel passage certainly raises issues about all our motives. How often do we do things because they suit us? Or because we think (like the manager in the story) they will make our life in the future easier? What makes motives Christian?
Our lectionary links this Gospel story with the sharp prophecy of Amos including its attack on the practice of deceit. And to my mind even more interesting that we are also invited in the New Testament reading for today to pray for our rulers; does that apply even when/if they are acting dishonestly?
Prayer
In the light of today’s New Testament reading, remember to pray for those in government. Unlike the writer of the New Testament reading we live in a democratic society and therefore all of us who can vote have a role in government, however small a part we may feel we play as individuals. Government is also about complexity – there are few simple answers. So here is a prayer for all who (in whatever context) face hard decisions:
Creator God, when we face hard decisions
help us to do so with integrity and with courage,
neither ducking the issues nor causing unnecessary offence.
Help us always both to discern honestly what you are doing in the world
and to join in joyfully. Amen.
Questions
- In what circumstances can ‘white lies’ be appropriate?
- Are there circumstances in which modest dishonesty might help those whom the Gospel tells us are our neighbours?
- What do we think about dishonesty in public life? Should lying always be condemned or are there cases in which it is legitimate?
All-age activity
Discuss how to respond when you know that people around you are being dishonest? is it ever right to keep silent about sharp practice?
Young people
Subscriber can use this week's drama (based on the Gospel reading) to provoke a conversation about what Jesus really intended when he told this story.
Dudley Coates is a Local Preacher in the Yeovil and Blackmore Vale Methodist Circuit and a former Vice President of the Methodist Conference.
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