Somewhere within the mind of the Pharisee....they knew....that God knew....that they were unjust stewards. It wasn't going to be like it had been in the past. That stewardship was gone in 70 AD....with the destruction of the temple. What were the religious leaders going to do? Well....the people obviously didn't want that old time religion either....so the Pharisee modified it....compromised it....which was agreeable to the people....and the Pharisees kept their jobs....under a different name....rabbi. Pretty shrewd right?
A similar situation evolved within Christendom over the past two millennia. The liberal....post-Reformation....post-Puritan....pastor/teacher....knew that God knew....that they were unjust stewards also. What were they going to do? Well they did the same thing that the Pharisee did. The people did not want the Christianity of the reformers or the Puritans....so they modified and compromised the gospel....which was agreeable to the people. It didn't save anyone but all concerned were satisfied....and as with the Pharisee....and their people....they would stay satisfied....until the eventual judgment.
You really cannot tell by the marquee at the front of a church.....whether or not it is a liberal....compromised church. Oh there are hints that you could look for....a denomination for one....not something such as....Presbyterian....but rather what denomination of presbyterianism it is. This is why so many mainline denominations have split....or are being split.
The unfaithful pastor that wants his/her church to grow....goes to the people and reduces that which God commands of those who are His....cuts the cost of discipleship....or lowers the debt so to speak. The faithful pastor is not so shrewd....and all praise to God for this lack of shrewdness....for he preaches the same...."faith that was once delivered to all the saints"....and warns of...."turning to a different gospel."
Be thankful if your pastor is one of the faithful pastors....who serves one Master....but pray for him....and we all must stay vigilant....which means being constantly in God's Word to us....for shrewdness can be another word of pragmatism....an enticing delusion and shimmering lure....where success determines what is true.
Please consider listening to the sermon recommended in the post below this....to see what a faithful pastor sounds like!
Luke 16:1-13
Jude 3
Galatians 1
