Should Christians Be Shrewd?

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This passage of scripture is somewhat mysterious. Serious questions can be raised depending on how it's interpreted. In his commentary contribution to the Expositors Bible Commentary; Walter L. Liefeld writes that “the interpretation of this parable is notoriously difficult.” I agree. But this does not mean that it cannot be understood. It does mean we must be careful that whatever conclusion we reach in passages as difficult as this one, we remain in line with the rest of scripture.

I gather that the questioner assumes that the term “sons of light” in Luke 16:8 refers to believers or at the very least, the disciples. I would agree. The question then that emerges would be a natural one, why would shrewdness be a good quality for any believer? I think here we need to look at what the word “shrewd” means.

If I called you shrewd, would you be slightly offended? Would it rub you the wrong way? What if I said you demonstrated sharp powers of judgement? Would that feel like a compliment? Yet, shrewdness means exactly that, a person that demonstrates sharp powers of judgment. In Biblical terms it means to be wise, prudent and mindful of one’s interest. Shrewdness is a quality that we ought to have as believers, so long as it is applied appropriately.

I believe that this is Jesus’ point. He makes a clear distinction that the

"sons of this age" are indeed "more shrewd" than the “sons of light.”

For where the "sons of this age" are good to look after their own skin, the "sons of light" must realize that we do not become bystanders in this world simply because we are not of it.

This is why Jesus says, “make friends for yourselves.” These friends may just be found in the body of Christ. We will explore that idea shortly. Jesus’ mention of friends may at the very least show that someone is expecting us as we pass from this world into the next, which should bear weight on how we live this life.

We are also instructed by Jesus on how to make friends. This verse, particularly in the KJV can be very confusing, it reads:

“And I say unto you, make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” (Luke 16:9 KJV emphasis mine.)

This would seem to suggest that we are to be friends of “the mammon” which is money, and in particular money that belongs to the unrighteous. But the translation is not clear. The Greek word “ek” translated as “of” in the KJV should be translated “by means.” This is how the NASB reads. (This is why which version you read is important.)

And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness…” (emphasis mine)

The statement shows Jesus describing by what method or means we make these friends he says we should make. The answer is “by means of the wealth of unrighteousness.” Where is the shrewdness in this? We as believers must emphasis the work of God while the unbeliever emphasizes the work of man. This is the distinct difference.

You can imagine why the “sons of light” are not very good at this. Christians, particularly in America, can be guilty of using their access to the “wealth of unrighteousness” no differently than an unbeliever. Some Christians may give a tithe (since it’s compulsory in many churches) but may not be cheerful givers. (2 Corinthians 9:7) We gather for ourselves as much if not more materials things than the world does. And in this, we act not as sons of light but as sons of this age.

Jesus is pointing to an eternality here. We see this when he forecasts the outcome of you living your life concerned about growing God’s kingdom. “They (your friends) will receive you into the eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9 NASB)

So be shrewd. Be mindful that Jesus gives to you so that you may grow His kingdom. How this looks in practice is debated and cannot be dealt with in this article. But understand the application is that our resources should be put into the service of God. That the interpretation put forward here is accurate, and to show these verses can bear the weight of the rest of scripture, I would point the reader to the rest of Luke chapter 16. Notice how Jesus speaks of money, how he shows the rich man being buried and finding himself in Hades while the poor man is heralded away to heaven. Notice how Jesus says, “you cannot serve God and wealth.” (Luke 16:22 NASB)

Beyond this we are asked to be shrewd elsewhere in scripture:

“Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves’ so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 NASB)

We should not place our resources in the service of the world but rather in the service of God. Jeremiah 4:22 jumps off the page in this regard:

“For my people are foolish, they know me not, they are stupid children, and have no understanding, they are shrewd to do evil, but to do good they do not know.”

And so, we ought to know how to do good. Be shrewd to do good and not evil. Be calculating in your efforts to do good. Be skillful at glorifying God. Be intentional about pursing Him. Be quick to praise His name. Be precise in your service to God. It may not garner the attention of the unrighteous, but will be rewarded with our Father in heaven.

One last observation I would like to put forth. We find in this verse a powerful illustration of the body of Christ.

“We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5) That is, we are intrinsically connected. A network of living nodes that are in constant connection to one another and "if one member suffers all the members suffer with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26)

In his letter to the Romans, Paul uses the idea of the body in connection with how the believer presents their bodies to God, calling it our "spiritual service of worship." (Romans 12:1) Paul exhorts us "to let love be without hypocrisy…abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9) The imagery of ‘clinging’ here demonstrates intentions. It demonstrates that if we do not cling, we fall. This ought to give us a clue. That our "spiritual service" is one that is full of precise intention. When we connect Romans chapter 12 to Luke 16: 8-9 we see a clear message of working earnestly for the Kingdom of God.

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul uses the example of the body of Christ in a different way. He concerns himself with "spiritual gifts.” He reminds the Corinthians that when they were pagan they were "led astray." We see this also occur in the unrighteous manager of Luke 16; and we see it in unbelievers today.

Paul then reminds us that there is a "common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7) that we must remember, and that God is the one who works in us to accomplish it. Paul then illustrates the idea of the body by saying, "if they (us that are baptized into one body [1 Corinthians 12:13]) were all one member, where would the body be?" (1 Corinthians 12:19) The idea being that without the body the church cannot function here on Earth. We are not disembodied. We are active participants in God's completed work. That means that we as Christians produce good works by way of the faith God has gifted to us.

Part of that good work requires use of the "wealth of unrighteousness." God, nor his kingdom require the dollars, yen, rubles and drachmas of this world. The currency of heaven is faith and love. When we hear the term, “wealth of unrighteousness,” it points to the fact that the world system we all operate in is part of the fallen world that we live in. It reminds us of a temporary world that carries with it no guarantees of satisfaction. That while loving money is sinful, and we are advised not to chase after it, Jesus gives us the proper way to make use of it and labels it shrewdness when we use it to bless the kingdom of God.

Apparent to common sense is the fact that humans have needs that are basic in nature. Our faith which produces good works speaks to this. James in his letter reminds us that "if a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food and one of you says to them "go in peace, be warmed and filled" and yet “you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" (James 2:15-16) It should be apparent also to us believers that Christ, our King, takes notice of what we do.

Is it not Christ who will say to the righteous "come, you who are Blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world?"

And further says, "for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me."

These we help, not with self-righteous platitudes. We don't pontificate to them about how good God is. We don't tell them that if they sacrificed and gave their last bit, God will reward them. No! We use "the wealth of unrighteousness." We become shrewd knowing that God our father sees and does reward. When we are shrewd to bless the Kingdom of God, we please our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.