作為一個中國天主教徒，總念念不忘，希望在中國文化中，找到天主啟示的一鱗半爪路【2007聖經學院畢業禮致謝辭】。我特別喜歡【路加福音】中「不忠信管家」的比喻，因為其中的橋段，與【史記‧孟嘗君列傳】中「狡兔三窟」的故事，同出一轍。
福音的故事，最令人費解的，就是主人蒙受損失後，竟然反過來稱讚這個不忠信管家辦事精明（路16:8）。精明雖然可取，但他的精明卻令主人蒙受金錢上的損失，無論從倫理上，法律上抑或在人情世故上，始終是說不過去。這個費解的困局，中國文化可以拆解。
在史記的故事裡，孟嘗君表面上是蒙受了金錢的損失；其實，他的食客馮驩正在為他預備後路，他日孟嘗君在齊王面前失寵時，還有棲身之所，孟嘗君可以安枕無憂了。把這個邏輯應用到福音的故事裡就能發現，這個管家表面上是不忠信，其實他創造了一個「三贏方案」：他減輕了債戶的負擔；他為主人在眾人面前塑造一個慈善的形象；最後，他為自己預備後路。倘若主人欣賞他，主人或許會回心轉意，仍然聘用他。倘若主人不喜歡的話，受過他恩惠的債戶總會報答他吧。不忠信管家值得主人讚賞之處，不在於他的精明，而是在於他能善用精明。他並沒有「損人利己」，而是「助人助己」。在幫助別人的同時，幫助了自己。
天父啊！願我們能善用祢賜給我們的才智，幫助有困難的人。亞孟。
A TRIPLE WIN SITUATION (Luke 16:1-8)
As a Chinese Catholic, I cannot allow myself to forget looking for however scanty God’s revelation in the Chinese culture. [2007 Catholic Biblical Institute Valedictory Speech] In particular, I like the Lucan Parable of the Shrewd Steward most because it has a similar plot as the story of “The 3 Hideouts of a Crafty Rabbit” in the Chinese classic The Chronicle of Meng Chang-jun in Shiji.
As for the gospel fragment, the most mind-boggling enigma is why, after being embezzled by the steward, did the Master commend him for his shrewdness (Luke 16:8)? Being shrewd is good but it costs the Master financial loss. The action is morally, legally and even interpersonally questionable. This enigma is cracked long time ago in the Chinese culture.
In the full story found in Shiji, Meng Chang-jun seemed to have lost financially. But in fact, this member of his entourage, Feng Xuan, was preparing a safe house for him. In the future, even if Lord Meng lost favour before King Qi, he would still have a place to lay his head. Applying this logic to the gospel fragment, we will see that this steward was not disloyal. He was creating a triple-win situation: he lightened the debts of the debtors, he created a benevolent public image for his master and lastly, he prepared a safe house for himself. If his master appreciated his efforts, perhaps he would still employ him. Otherwise, the debtors who owed him favours would repay him. The shrewd steward was worth commending, not because of his shrewdness but for his making good use of his shrewdness. He did not benefit himself at the costs of others. While helping others, he helped himself.
Heavenly Father, help us make good use of our talents to help the needy. Amen.
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