no

Good question, I was studying this very recently and have asked God to help me understand. Here are some of my notes I have gleaned, sorry they are such a mess. The shrewd are subtle, discreet, and have a cautious character and a penetrating mind, able to detect evil behind a mask of goodness, so as to be able to plan accordingly. to summarize this point, being shrewd is about knowing your facts, about asking questions. In our staff meeting yesterday, we were asked what it meant to be shrewd. Luke 16:1-8 uses shrewd in a positive light. To me, shrewd means being wise and using your resources (time, money, etc) to the best of your ability. For my ministry with Young Life, shrewd means to know kids names. It means studying my yearbook so I don't forget their name the next time I see them. It means initiating conversation with them in the halls of their school. It means being available, even if I have to drop something else I want to do. It means being wise with how I spend my money. It means being a person who is more concerned with giving than receiving. It means being wise (not lazy and fearful) with the talents the Lord has entrusted me with. It means showing up at their school everyday. The best definition I’ve found indicates that “shrewd” is a practical, hardheaded cleverness. But, in the context of this parable, think of “shrewd” as being an “astute planner.” But what about “people of the light?” Well, first of all, they should realize that the “possessions” in their care are not really theirs. Those things belong to Someone else. Secondly, rather than investing for their future in this world, “people of the light” should be ‘managing’ what they control for their future in His world. Often that means ‘investing’ in the lives of others. Does God expect us to manage His possessions in such a way as to guarantee a comfortable retirement for ourselves? Or does He expect us to manage His possessions in such a way as to bring others into His kingdom, to eternal dwellings? Yes, we can use money to make friends. The ‘shrewd manager’ used it to make friends who would take care of him in the future. But ‘people of the light’ can use it to make friends who will be taken care of for all eternity. The dictionary equates “shrewd” to “common sense. Today, 2,000 years after this was written, it is still true that the people who only live for this world, with their worldly motives and their worldly methods, are often more shrewd in managing their lives than are the people of the light, we Christians who have much nobler motives and methods at our disposal. The people of this world have their 5-year business plans, their schemes to reduce costs and their strategies to maximize output. They study, work, save, calculate, assess, and predict, in order to achieve their aims. They seize every opportunity that is available, and when none is available they create opportunities. They will often sacrifice not only their time and energy, but even their health and relationships, in order to achieve their ambitions. They are often very shrewd. And what about us, we who are called ‘the people of the light’: what enlightened plans, what carefully thought-out strategies, what concerted efforts, what noble sacrifices are we engaged in to further the work of God’s kingdom? This, then, is the meaning of Verse 9: Use whatever wealth you have wisely, to do good, to relieve suffering, to support God’s people and advance the work of the kingdom. When these resources are gone, and earthly life is finished, there will be a welcome for you in heaven from the very people you have assisted.

Yes very much. A lifetime ago I worked as a waitress and disliked it immensely. Every day I would go to work, wishing I was somewhere else. Wanted to give my kids a better life than we had at the time. However was unsure how to change my direction. I read this scripture, those who can be trusted with the little things can be trusted with much. The next day I went to work and my attitude was changed. All the little things others let go, I would do. Stayed late on my shift to make sure every single thing was done to perfection. Little did I realize then, faithfulness and work ethic was being instilled in me that would beneift others as well as myself. For 6 months day in day out I never wavered. Found happiness and cheerfulness at work missing previously. One day a customer came in and told me about his job and how much money he made. Long story short I was the 2nd woman every hired with that company. Learning to be faithful in the smallest of things was, in part, preparation for me to assume responsibilities for others and their success.