"Living A Debt Free Life" - Luke 16:1-13 - September 23, 2001

Last Monday the stock market opened after being closed for three days. The nation was worried that a market crash would follow the tragedy that so painfully struck our nation on September 11th. Many investors were worried. We had already suffered enough, losing even more would be like rubbing salt in the wounds.

On the evening before the reopening of the market, Warren Buffet, one of the most wealthiest men in the world, announced that he would not sell any stock. Any prudent business person would want to minimize their losses by selling stock which was certain to plummet in the next few days. But, Warren Buffet wanted to do all he could to give stability to the market. It no doubt meant he made a tremendous financial sacrifice by holding firm.

The stock market still went down, the largest amount in history. However, Buffet undoubtedly saved it from going down further. And, because of his lead other investors decided to do the same. Call it whatever you want, but I believe that this action was an act of grace. Even the Federal government lowered the primary lending rate, one half of a percent, prior to the opening of the day’s active trading. Perhaps Warren Greenspan has a bigger heart than we realize.

It was not unlike what happened in our story. The master was certain to lose money because of his steward who went about reducing the debts people owed. But rather than scold him or fire him or even make him pay back what had been lost, the master "commended him for his prudence."

Amazing! This is not the American way. Who lets people off the hook who take foolish risks with their money? No one that I know.

A couple of months ago I had an error on my telephone bill. I had been charged $29 for making a one minute phone call. I had not made the call and there was no way anyone else in my home could have made it either because of the date and time. I called my local company and of course I had to listen to a recording and select the right option for my problem. I finally got a live person on the other end and she told me that I had to call my long distance company and then gave me an 800 number. Again I called and got a electronic system which referred me to another 800 number someplace else. That led me back to my original 800 number and I had to go through all the steps until I could get help. To make a long story short after 90 minutes of holding, punching 1,2 or 3, etc. I reached a live person. I said, "Please, don’t hang up, I need your help." I told him my story and he finally took the necessary steps to issue me a credit on my bill. "Yes!" grace can happen, especially when people are willing to go the extra mile.

I tell you this story because it illustrates that when we are persistent enough we can receive justice. But, it took a personal, one-on-one relationship to solve my problem. All my attempts to solve it electronically failed. It was a frustrating experience but I finally found a friend who was willing to forgive my bill. In the wake of our nation’s crisis we have learned again and again how precious life is. Purchasing stuff, taking vacations, partying with friends, even competitive professional sports have all become a lower priority. You hear many people saying, "What matters most is life itself."

The steward went to each creditor personally and told them to reduce the amount of their bills, one as much as fifty percent. This too was an act of grace. The steward showed mercy on his clients and ultimately the master showed mercy on the steward, not once but twice. First, he didn’t throw him in prison and second, he applauded him for his shrewdness.

In his sermon, "Getting Your Priorities Right," John M. Buchanan said, "It is a subtle point...God’s amazing and dependable graciousness, God’s unexpected and always surprising willingness to love us and accept us. This man is not a moral model for anyone. But, to his everlasting credit, he does know what the most important issue in life is and where to take it. He knows somehow that he can depend utterly and ultimately on the generosity and grace of his master." (from Pulpit Resource, July-September 2001, William Willimon)

Grace followed grace. Perhaps you could say that God is only as gracious with us as we are willing to be gracious with others. One could certainly make an argument for this understanding. That, however can be problematic, since could easily lead to the notion that you get what you deserve. The grace of God does not work like that. God surprises us with grace, just as this story in Luke has surprised us with a rascal who got a break. God’s grace is unconditional, no strings attached, not something to be earned.

Several weeks ago my van was struck while being parked near the convention center in Columbus, Ohio. Apparently someone driving a large truck backed into the left rear corner, doing significant damage. The car could be driven but will have to be repaired. The man who backed into it left a note, including his name and insurance company. Its hard to believe that there are still honest people in the world who are willing to make things right. I could choose to accept the action as good luck. Or, I could choose to accept it as grace.

How we respond to events that life presents us with says much about our faith and whether or not we believe in the unexpected surprise of God’s grace. Did I deserve to receive such a gift? Did I deserve to have my van struck in the first place? God only knows. Did the debtors in the story deserve to have their debts reduced? Did the steward deserve to be applauded for his shrewdness? Do any of us deserve to have our sins forgiven through the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf? Its not a matter of deserving or not deserving. It is God being gracious as God chooses.

Not only does this story have to do with the graciousness of God. It also has to do with our priorities. For me, the story illustrates that making friends is far more important than making money. Putting people first is what really matters to God.

Jay Leno said on television last Tuesday night that America got "sucker punched." I suppose that is one way of looking at it. We were absolutely astonished that there are people in the world who wanted to hurt us. Unfortunately they succeeded. We are angry, ready to get revenge. We are positioning ourselves to seek out and destroy every terrorist group in the world.

I find it ironic that the primary target was the World Trade Center. Why not a stadium full of 100,000 people? Why not a university, a military base or a nuclear power plant? The target was at the heart of capitalism. Is this an attack on the haves from the have nots? I wonder. Many wonder why God didn’t intervene. Why didn’t the God of whom we sing, "Amazing Grace" keep this from happening in the first place? I don’t know, no one does.

Once we have grieved and recovered from the tragedy we can only reflect on the event and learn from it. One person commented, "This is New York’s worst moment, but also their finest hour." What we are witnessing is the graciousness of people. People giving, helping, making personal sacrifices for others, expecting nothing in return. People making friends with complete strangers and creating new friendships. There is a spirit of generosity and love in the air. So where was it before? Why does it take a crisis to motivate people to be gracious?

Until the steward was confronted with the possibility of losing his job his day-to-day activity was business as usual. Now that his hand has been forced he responds by forgiving debts and taking risks with money and resources that are not his. It seems strange and unusual, bazaar at best. All we know is that the Master is pleased.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio