Application of the Parable of the Dishonest Steward
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Lk 16:9-15
[Jesus said to his disciples,] 9“I
tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that
when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10The
person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in
great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is
also dishonest in great ones. 11If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? 12If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? 13No
servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the
other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God
and mammon.”
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. 15And
he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but
God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in
the sight of God.”
Reflection:
Dishonest wealth. This
does not refer to possessions acquired illegally or dishonestly but to
riches that people put their trust in and pay much attention to. Undue
devotion to money could lead people to dishonesty. Mammon is an
Aramaic word that means money, property, or anything of value. Used
with the derogatory sense of materialism, it is taken as opposite of
God. Money becomes an idol or god when it leads anyone to an illusory
sense of security, power, and affluence.
Jesus
tells us that material possessions and money should be used to create
and strengthen friendships. They should be used to make life better,
easier, and meaningful. They should be the source of heavenly blessings
to help those who are in need. Money and wealth are not in themselves
evil. It depends on how we use them. They should be used wisely and
responsibly to help and save our brothers and sisters.
Do you know how to use your money
in the concrete Christian way?
Do you contribute to parish programs
that benefit the poor in the community?
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