Parables 101

Thank you very much. It's thge one I learned in the seminary many years ago. now the one about the unjust steward I never did get. Unless you add a lot to the text it just dosen't make sense. In the first place if the owner knew the man was dishonest why not fire him on the spot and have him arrested.

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First of all, Jesus is addressing His disciples.

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Don't forget that the Pharisees also heard and Jesus supposedly said to them: So why is it bad for the Pharisees to use worldly wealth to gain friends, but not the disciples?

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He has addressed them concerning the last days,(Matthew 24)

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But in the book of Luke, Jesus doesn’t address the last days until Luke 21. So in this book at that moment in time, he probably hadn't taught them about the last days.The article you linked to brings out eternal damnation, but the gospels don't. So it wouldn't be a lesson taught at the specific time.

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As to the reasoning of the unjust steward, he is maintaining hookups with the clients of his Manager/Landowner so as to perhaps have places to sleep at night? Or perhaps future employment of some sort.

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I understand what the steward is doing, but what religious or moral lesson of that time does it teach?1. Use worldly wealth to gain friends...welcomed into eternal dwellings.
2. Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much...
3. No servant can serve two masters...
4. What is highly valued among men is detestable to God's sight.The parable supports the first one, but, as I've said before, that sounds like works can get you into heaven.

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

There is no need for thanks. When you are right you are right, etc. The unjust steward? Copy it to me.
I like your avatar.
George

It's the one they are discussing under the title "the shrewd manager".The avatatr is Pale Male, a redtail that lives in NY city and has his own website.

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The parable has nothing to do with money. It says that no matter when you enter the kingdom on heaven you will get the same reward.

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I agree that the parable has nothing to do with money, but it also doesn't deal with when one gets to heaven.Jesus preached that the "Kingdom of God" was at hand (imminent). As I understand it, the Jews in the time of Jesus believed that the whole world and its occupants must die to purify it from the sin of Adam. Unfortunately they didn't believe that all people would be equal in this time of reward. The works accomplished before the renewal would determine their reward after the renewal.Remember the conversation just before the parable. Jesus uses this parable to teach his disciples that God would be generous at the time of renewal and reward equally regardless of the works accomplished before the renewal. With this parable he also teaches them that those who serve God should do so out of love rather than for the guarantee of a reward.

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Just saw a program about those red tails and Pale Male. I sat spellbound.This parable about rewarding workers equally regardless of when they entered the workforce is a promise that makes certain no one labors in vain, no one has an advantage, all are equal in the kingdom of God. Too many are inclined to project human behavior on God. Well, that much should be obvious....it's not recommended.

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Too many are inclined to project human behavior on God.

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What other type of behavior would be available to give people an understanding of God?

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

1) The young ruler still felt as if he lacked something in life, despite his great wealth.
2)Jesus asked him why he called Jesus "good". What does this mean to you?This message has been edited by Phatboy, 10-27-2004 10:52 AM

So, apparently, coveting your neighbours Ox is back in?

This is funny, but........
if you look at it closely, you will see that the ten commandments are cleverly enclosed in the two that say 'love God and your neighbor as yourself'.
If you love your neighbor, you won't covet his ox, or his ass....ahem.
Love God is a synopsis of the first four commandments, your neighbor as yourself a synopsis of the last six.
Pretty sharp, eh?

no kind of behavior that is anything like human behavior should be projected on God.Our ways are not God’s ways. We know his acts, but not his ways.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).Difficult to fathom?

Behavior: 1. the way a person behaves or acts; conduct

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Our ways are not God’s ways. We know his acts, but not his ways.

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Wasn't God talking to a specific group in Isaiah as opposed to the entire human race? There are several verses telling us to walk in His ways by following his commandments. Therefore we do know his ways.What acts of God do not relate to human behavior?

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

This is a conversation, not a parable.

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go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

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"Works" will get him a place in the "world to come."

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

You're telling me you don't covet any of your posessions? A favourite pen? Your new car? Your lucky underpants?And I don't see any mention of God in Jesus' list.There is actually a point behind the witicism. Jesus list does not match the ten commandments, unless you're willing to accept all sorts of broad interpretations. Any answers as to why?

It does not say that. It says that works will give him treasure in the world to come. His membership was bought by Grace...not works. Of course, being Jewish, I can see where the works thing may have applied...Paul was still Saul at this point in time.
Wrong Dispensation...sorry