SCRIPTURE: Genesis 30
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys. [Genesis 30:43]
This is a strange chapter: wives giving servant girls to their husband, spotted sheep and striped poplar branches affecting the coloration of the lambs…
For starters, we acknowledge that these were very different times.
Notice also the shrewdness with which the characters are operating, each person conniving to do what they do help themselves, to get ahead.
And through it all the Lord seems to bless them, what’s with that?
Is the Lord affirming their shrewd, conniving ways, is this how He wants us to operate in this world too?

The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. [Luke 16:8-9]
Jesus tells this curious story about a dishonest manager, shrewd in business but also unethical – and then encourages His followers to be shrewd as well.
But unethical, immoral, just to get ahead, to help ourselves?
Jesus is not affirming unethical behaviour; He is affirming the drive and creativity for a purpose, and urges His followers to imitate that for a godly purpose.
“If that is how immoral people strive for a selfish purpose, how much more ought we to strive for godly purpose!”

God’s purpose and will is what ought to stand out more than anything else.
God is accomplishing His purpose and will through Jacob and his wives and his children, through their good and bad and odd choices.
God is working His purpose and will through us as well, through our good and bad and odd choices – this is encouraging if we honestly reflect on our own lives.
But this should not make us passive – ‘afterall, God accomplishes His will throuugh me no matter what’.
No, we are urged to be as diligent, creative and shrewd FOR GOD’S PURPOSES, as we normally are for selfish purposes.
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. [Matthew 10:16]
Not just shrewd, but innocent.
Not just shrewd for ‘worldly wealth’, but shrewd for ‘eternal friends and dwellings’.

Today’s readings reflect God’s amazing grace, how He works with us through all our good intentions and sincere follies.
But it also compels us to be diligent and earnest in striving to do His will, and work toward His purpose.
We will make mistakes, but God can work around them, if we are sincere in our desire to honour Him and use all our energy and creativity for Him!

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to be both shrewd AND innocent, and help me to work for Your purpose, not just my own selfish gain.