לְבַזבֵּז (livzebeez) - ΔΙΑΣΚΟΡΠΊΖΩ (DIASKORPIZÓ)

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A recent sermon focused on the word "squander" to help put into perspective the confounding parable of the Prodigal, his Brother and his Father, as well as the succeeding parable of the Dishonest Manager [Luke 15:11 to 16:13].  In these stories the pastor shared that concepts of squandering, acceptance, and restoration collide in unexpected ways. The Prodigal demands and then squanders his financial inheritance on dissolute living. He returns to the family poor, contrite and ready to face rejection. Instead there is acceptance and restoration.  The Dishonest Manager is found out by his boss and told he will be dismissed. However, before the formal dismissal, the Dishonest Manager curries favor with those that owe the boss money. He squanders the boss's money by authorizing debt reduction. He grants these favors because he desires continued acceptance after he is dismissed. For his additional dishonest practices the Manager recieves praise from his boss. The boss states that "the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light." Does this mean dishonest people are often more shrewd than honest folk?  Does it mean shrewd actions are innately more focused on a restoration or acceptance in the here and now, than future oriented? Does it mean acceptance is core to our temporal existence? Unfortunately these questions were not answered.  But the hallmark of a good sermon is causing the hearer to ponder questions from their own perspective and life experiences.

There have been many who have notably been quoted regarding 'not wasting [squandering] a crisis'. These individuals include Winston Churchill, Saul Alinsky and Rahm Emanuel. All claimed and acted as if it was important not to squander a crisis. There is skepticism that this now oft repeated chorus from DC is representative of the "children of the light". With the latest government shutdown (at the time this column was written), both Republicans and Democrats are joining the chorus. One may have suspected for some time now, that such a crises are intentionally and artificially created. Both parties claim the shutdown will make the other look bad. Many Americans think the shutdown shames our political parties and further squanders confidence in the government. In this instance, squandering, acceptance and restoration is a bit of a dubious outcome. Common ground between Republicans & Democrats is sadly more an abomination, than an admirable achievement.