Relationship

Luke 16:1-13

This is one of the hardest of Jesus' teachings, all the scholars agree on this, because it seems Jesus is encouraging us to be dishonest. Another aspect all the scholars agree on is this passage is about relationships. This is what the dishonest manager labors to create for a retirement benefit because he says he can't do anything else. He has no skill, no trade, and nothing which would give him benefits except to become a friend through dishonest means. So what is Jesus really telling us here?

Our God is a relational God. God wants to have a relationship, this is one reason why Jesus is sent. We separate ourselves from God and a relationship when we don't foster it everyday. Reading some of the scripture, having a devotional life, prayer all help to develop and foster this relationship. Going out of this is fostering relationships with others. We were never meant to be insular. Jesus asks us to go into the world and foster discipleship in Matthew.

There are ways in which churches are beginning to foster these relationships out in the world. Not by a pushy means, but by partnering with others. Church people are having conversations with Town Managers, Superintendents, and healthcare administrators to find out what goes well for them and then to ask what they wish they had support with. This is a wonderful way to go about entering into relationship with others. It asks what is the means of support that might ease their burden. Then it takes action to help relieve this burden. This is exactly what the dishonest manager is doing. Easing the load on others in order to foster relationship.

In Matthew (10:16) Jesus tells the disciples to be as "wise as serpents and as innocent as doves" in order to operate as the world does, but to do so in order to foster discipleship. Relationship is key to this. Being wise enough to know when you can help and fostering relationships helps us to remain true. Jesus didn't call an individual or a bunch of people who were all alike to follow him. We know this and yet we forget it. This bunch was crafted in order that those who could communicate with one set of people would foster those relationships, and then others would also foster relationship as well.

We see in The Chosen where these relationships play out in spreading the gospel further. With Peter and a Roman centurion and the relationship begins with Matthew whose guard he used to be. The only reason Peter and the man end up talking is because of the relationship he first had with Matthew and he knows Peter is a part of the same group. 

So try it. Try and foster relationships which grow. They will help plant the seeds of the kingdom far and wide and maybe we can then see a harvest.