Br. David Vryhof

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20C)

Amos 8:4-7

In 2021, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released the “Pandora Papers,” a massive leak of almost 12 million documents that revealed how the ultra-rich and powerful used offshore accounts and shell companies to secretly preserve vast fortunes, to avoid paying taxes, and to hide assets potentially acquired through corrupt means, including bribery, money laundering, human rights abuses, and other wrongdoings. Over 330 politicians and public officials were implicated, including current and former world leaders, as well as celebrities, billionaires and criminals. The report also revealed that several U.S. states, such as South Dakota, Florida and Texas, had enacted laws that promoted secrecy, attracting wealthy overseas clients to hide wealth from their home countries and thereby avoid taxes.

So here’s a question: What would Jesus have said about this?

A surface reading of today’s gospel might leave us wondering if Jesus would praise these shrewd money-managers for their clever maneuverings, as the rich man in the parable praises his dishonest manager “because he had acted shrewdly” to guarantee his own financial security (Luke 16:8).

But we know Jesus, and we know that Jesus’ intent in telling this parable could not have been to condone dishonest or deceitful behavior. The scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, clearly condemn those who take advantage of others to line their own pockets with wealth. Consider our reading from Amos this morning, where the prophet writes,

“Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring to ruin the poor of the land . . . [you who say,] ‘We will make the ephah smaller and the shekel heavier and practice deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and selling the sweepings of the wheat.’ The Lord has sworn. . . . Surely, I will never forget any of their deeds.” (Amos 8:4-6)

Jesus knew the law and the prophets and knew how frequently they speak against those who exploit and oppress the most vulnerable members of society – especially widows, orphans and “strangers in the land.” He himself is critical of the rich and powerful – even religious leaders – who act with deceit and prey upon the poor. He repeatedly warns his listeners of the dangers of loving money and of building their lives upon wealth. There can be no doubt that he would condemn those whose greed prompts them to use offshore accounts and shell companies to hide their money, to avoid paying taxes, or to cover up their dishonest dealings.

If that is the case, what then is the meaning of this parable, which seems on the surface to approve of devious and self-serving behavior?

There are a number of clues that help us get at the real meaning of this parable. The first clue is that Jesus is telling this parable to his disciples (Luke 16:1); that is, to those who have already chosen to follow him, which suggests that this parable is about more than what’s on the surface. Jesus often used analogies or metaphors to illustrate deeper truths. This is not a parable about business ethics; it aims to teach us something else.

The dishonest manager knows he is about to lose his job and needs to find a way to secure his future. He takes action in his present situation with a future goal in mind. However dishonestly he acts, he uses the resources available to him in the present moment with an eye to the future; his goal is to be financially secure after he has been dismissed as manager.

Jesus suggests that the “children of this age” – that is, those who belong to this world and whose lives are shaped by its values – have a clearer grasp of this principle than do the “children of light.” They understand that what we do now has a direct influence on what we hope for in the future. We can use the riches we now possess – time, talent, possessions, money – to build up riches for the future.

Of course, Jesus is speaking of true riches – that is, of the things that make us rich towards God. He is teaching his disciples to weigh their current decisions with the future in mind.

In doing so, he is underscoring his earlier teaching about building up “treasure in heaven.” In chapter 12, Jesus challenges his followers with these words:

“Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33-34)

Jesus and his followers have their eyes set on the “kingdom of God.” Jesus is saying, “The children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5) can learn something valuable from the children of this world; namely, to use possessions so as to gain, not lose, their future.” Jesus is well aware of the dangers that riches pose, but he is claiming here that it is possible to manage goods in ways appropriate to life in the kingdom of God.

What do you think that might look like? What would it mean for you to use the earthly treasures you have been given – money, possessions, talents and gifts – with an eye to the future . . . not just your future, but God’s future? How could you use what you have been given to build up the kingdom of God and thus lay up for yourself treasure in heaven?

He says this to his disciples, who are not wealthy. Even the little that they have can become heavenly treasure if they direct it towards the building of God’s kingdom.

“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much,” Jesus says, “and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11)

Most of us will never possess great power or vast riches, yet each of us has some power and some riches. Like the disciples, even the little we have can be used to extend God’s reign on earth. “Whoever is faithful in little is faithful also in much.”

Act faithfully in the present, act wisely in the present, using what has been given you to build for the future. “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven” and become rich towards God. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”