“To the next he said, ‘And you, what do you owe?’

“He answered, ‘A hundred sacks of wheat.’

“He said, ‘Take your bill, write in eighty.’

8-9 “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message The Book of Psalms - eBook
The Message The Book of Psalms - eBook
Retail: $11.99
Our Price: $9.59
Save: $2.40 (20%)
The Message Prayerful Reading Bible: Luke & Acts
The Message Prayerful Reading Bible: Luke & Acts
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $2.99
Save: $5.00 (63%)
The Message Full Size--soft leather-look, life-light black
The Message Full Size--soft leather-look, life-light black
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $47.99
Save: $12.00 (20%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The One Year Bible MSG, Large Print Thinline Edition--softcover
The One Year Bible MSG, Large Print Thinline Edition--softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $19.99
Save: $5.00 (20%)
The One Year Bible MSG--softcover
The One Year Bible MSG--softcover
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $15.99
Save: $4.00 (20%)