The dishonest steward

LUKE 16:9-15

Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The 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. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No 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."

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And 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

God or mammon: Applying the parable of the dishonest steward, Jesus recommends the wise use of wealth. Those who have money should use it to make friends, like the steward did in the parable, so that when it is all used up, they will be welcomed into heaven.

Those who are in positions of authority must be faithful in their use of wealth. If one cannot use riches to make friends in this world, then how can God trust that person with the wealth of the kingdom of heaven? People are stewards of whatever God gives them. Finally, no servant can serve two masters: God and wealth. Whichever master a person chooses to serve indicates upon whom or what he or she depends.

According to Jesus, a true follower of His is dependent on God alone.

The Pharisees hold that wealth is a sign of God's special love. Prosperity is an indication of righteousness.

According to Jesus, however, it is not the outer appearance, riches, that is important; what matters is what is in the heart. Luke is calling attention to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who look like they are serving God but are, in effect, servants of mammon.

Wealth, according to Luke, is not necessarily a sign of God's blessing or righteousness. Only an investigation of the heart can reveal authentic righteousness. Nevertheless, those with wealth have an obligation to share what they have with those who have none. In this way they serve one master, God, and provide for their being welcomed into his kingdom.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord," ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.,); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.