I think we all find tricksters, schemers, scammers, and frauds loathsome and contemptible. How is it that these con artists get the blessing in scripture? A fun look at flim flammers and the maddening tales of their divine blessings awaits.
One of my favorite movies is the 1967 film The Flim Flam Man starring George C. Scott in the title role, aided by young Michael Sarrazin who falls for Sue Lyon. The picture here is a scene of the two setting up a mark for a scam (Scott in the center). The movie has a lesson borne out in the scriptures. You can watch the whole movie by clicking here.
In Genesis, Jacob's early years get marked by one sleazy, sneaky act after another. He exploits his brother, scams his dad, and manages to out-fox his father-in-law, a scuzzy fox himself. Looking at the scam that netted Jacob the blessing of the first-born, we find Jacob impersonating his elder twin, conspiring with his mother (his brother's mother, too, of course), fooling his blind father, and gaining for himself the entitlement of his brother. How does this jerk not get punished by a just God?
Then Jesus leads his listeners into the parable of the unjust steward. Here is a guy who squandered his master's resources and seems to have gotten caught. Fearing his termination, he starts bargaining with those indebted to his master, telling them to lop off big amounts from their bills. How can he do that? The master knows what he's done and ends up praising him for his shrewdness! Really? What's that all about?
You'll have to check out the sermon video below (and note the downloads available below the video panel) to get some answers.
One of my favorite movies is the 1967 film The Flim Flam Man starring George C. Scott in the title role, aided by young Michael Sarrazin who falls for Sue Lyon. The picture here is a scene of the two setting up a mark for a scam (Scott in the center). The movie has a lesson borne out in the scriptures. You can watch the whole movie by clicking here.
In Genesis, Jacob's early years get marked by one sleazy, sneaky act after another. He exploits his brother, scams his dad, and manages to out-fox his father-in-law, a scuzzy fox himself. Looking at the scam that netted Jacob the blessing of the first-born, we find Jacob impersonating his elder twin, conspiring with his mother (his brother's mother, too, of course), fooling his blind father, and gaining for himself the entitlement of his brother. How does this jerk not get punished by a just God?
Then Jesus leads his listeners into the parable of the unjust steward. Here is a guy who squandered his master's resources and seems to have gotten caught. Fearing his termination, he starts bargaining with those indebted to his master, telling them to lop off big amounts from their bills. How can he do that? The master knows what he's done and ends up praising him for his shrewdness! Really? What's that all about?
You'll have to check out the sermon video below (and note the downloads available below the video panel) to get some answers.
| 09-18-16-ff-answers.pdf |
| 09-18-16-flim_flam_blessings.pdf |