25 SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 22

 25TH SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2022,

AMOS 8.4-7, 1 TIMOTHY 2.1-8, LUKE 16.1-13: DISHONEST STEWARD

 

Thrust: Only stewards!

Indicative: One great malaise and tragedy of the present society is excess craving and attachment to money and employing dishonest means to accumulate it

 

1.  This is the story of a dishonest steward. First of all, we should immediately clarify a couple of things. First, one should not mistake the master’s appreciation of the steward, as if he is condoning or minimising the gravity of his dishonesty. In the clearest terms, what the master praises is NOT his dishonesty or impropriety. It is only his astuteness, shrewdness, and foresight to procure for future sustenance.

2.  Secondly, when the Lord advises to gain friends with corrupt and filthy money, he is not advocating and justifying the spirit of corruption and manipulation with regard to money; neither is he encouraging us to be business-minded to “buy friends” or “promote oneself” or “create good impressions” with manipulative and cunning tactics in regard to money.

3.  In fact, the thrust of the parable is the right spirit of a true follower of Christ. Every true disciple must be an honest, responsible, diligent, and faithful steward, always focused on the eternal treasure, and striving to merit and obtain it.

4.  God in His mercy and benevolence often entrusts to our care an abundance of material riches. But we should never forget that we are only stewards and not proprietors or owners. Therefore we cannot deal with them dishonestly and manipulatively. Every tendency and act of dishonesty and corruption with regard to material blessings is a grave abomination that is detestable to the Master.

5.  We must conduct all our material affairs with constant and unfailing attention and focus on the eternal destiny and reward. What the Lord expects from us is total trustworthiness, and in this, there is no distinction between a small thing or a big thing, a small act of dishonesty, or a big act of dishonesty.

6.  There are no concessions or compromises or justifications or leniencies. This must be very clear especially to those who deal with huge amounts or enterprises, because unfortunately today, “a certain percentage-wise manipulation and swallowing is thought to be justifiable and implicitly allowed”. Such a compromising and legitimizing attitude is very dangerous and corrodes the very authenticity of discipleship.

7.  The Lord is always crystal clear, and it is often the corrupt and devious minds that pretend to be confused and confuse others. The Lord uncompromisingly demands honesty and fidelity both in small and big things irrespectively. In fact, he attests that fidelity in smaller things indicates and proves fidelity in greater things. The simplest logic is: if one is not faithful in smaller, transient, temporal things, how can one claim to be faithful in bigger, lasting, and eternal treasures? And how can God trustingly entrust such higher things?

8.  Further, the Lord absolutely rules out any compromise that conveniently accommodates both the spiritual and unspiritual, both the material manipulation and the eternal authenticity, both God and money. He declares in no mincing terms: You cannot serve both God and wealth. How foolish and distorted are those who try to “put together in the same socket” both the spiritual veracity and material dishonesty!

9.  Besides, the Lord places before us a clear route map for the right use of money. Money is never for its sake. Money should not be a means and tool for doing the wrong, for covering up or justifying the wrong done, for intimidating or dominating others, for buying power and position, or for manipulating human relationships. Rather material prosperity and resources must be a happy and ready instrument and arm for doing good, for manifesting and enhancing benevolence, for alleviating the pain and plight of the needy.

10. Thus, in the light of the word of God, it is a call to be a good steward. A good steward is one who is just and fair toward others, especially toward the poor and needy. He does not deceive or manipulate others (in the light of the first reading). He is one who does “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way; good and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour,… lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling” (in the light of the second reading).

 

Imperative: Blessed are those disciples who constantly strive to be faithful stewards, with focus and assiduity.