Luke 16:1-13
When I was a boy of about ten, there was a television show I loved to watch. It starred Phil Silvers and was about a lovable rascal called Sgt. Bilko. He was a motor pool sergeant who along with some of his cohorts was always looking for the big score. He lived by his wits, his charm and fast talking to get him out of the trouble he always got himself and his friends into.
The morality of the 1950's never allowed him to profit from his shenanigans, but you always hoped he might some day.
A few years ago, my family visited the city of Delft, outside Amsterdam. That is the center of fine Delft pottery with its trademark blue and white pattern.