(38) A Primer in Christian Shrewdness

Jesus once made this interesting observation: "For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light" (Luke 16:8). Shrewd people are astute and clever, having sharp powers of judgment. Such traits are not ultimately helpful if one's aims are wrong. But if we have right goals we should be wise in reaching them.

Paul was shrewd. He trusted God. He had right goals. And he used wise means to reach those ends. The fact that he waited until the end of his testimony to say the word "Gentiles" testifies to his shrewdness.

What unifies Acts 22:22–23:10is a Roman tribune's varied attempt to figure out why Paul was persona non grata. But whether facing torture or on trial Paul demonstrated striking examples of Christian shrewdness.