Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113 (112):1-2, 4-8, 1 Timothy 2:1-8 and Luke 16:1-13
Faithful Stewardship in a World of Many Masters
My dear friends, let me begin with a simple image. Have you ever entrusted someone with something precious — perhaps asking a neighbour to watch your house, or a friend to care for your child while you stepped away? You expect them to act responsibly, don’t you? You want them to treat what is yours with respect and care.
Now imagine if they turned your trust into an opportunity for themselves, misusing your gift. How would you feel? Disappointed. Perhaps even betrayed.
This is precisely where today’s Gospel begins — with a story of stewardship, trust, and choices. It invites us to reflect: Whom do I really serve? Whose treasure do I guard?
A Warning from Amos
In the first reading, the prophet Amos does not mince words. He confronts dishonest merchants who cheat the poor, manipulate measures, and exploit the vulnerable. He speaks for God who says: “Never will I forget a single thing you have done” (Amos 8:7).
This is not merely about ancient markets; it is about us. Whenever money or power becomes more important than people, whenever we treat others as objects rather than children of God, we are guilty of the same injustice.
Psalm 113: The God Who Lifts the Lowly
The psalm responds beautifully: “He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes.” While human systems often oppress, our God restores dignity. God does not forget the cries of the lowly.
Here is a sharp contrast: dishonest wealth versus God’s faithful justice.
A Call to Prayer for All
St Paul, in his letter to Timothy, urges the community to pray for everyone, including kings and those in authority. Why? Because our faith is not private. We live it in society. Prayer is not escapism; it shapes our actions so that we can live “peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim 2:2).
Paul reminds us that there is one God and one mediator, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. Our stewardship, then, is not merely about money but about interceding, living, and acting for the good of all.
The parable of the dishonest steward
At first glance, today’s parable puzzles us. Why does Jesus seem to praise dishonesty? But let us look closely. A steward has been wasting his master’s property. About to be dismissed, he acts shrewdly — reducing the debts of his master’s clients so that when he is jobless, they might welcome him. The master is not praising the dishonesty, but the clever foresight.
Jesus then delivers the key lesson: “The children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light” (v. 8). In other words: if people can be so creative and determined when it comes to worldly survival, how much more should we — disciples of Christ — be determined, resourceful, and faithful in pursuing eternal life!
Verse 9 of today’s gospel is crucial: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, they may welcome you into the eternal dwellings.”
What does this mean? Jesus is not endorsing corruption. Instead, he is teaching that wealth, which so often becomes tainted with injustice, must not be clung to selfishly. It is temporary — it will fail. Instead, we are to use it for good: to serve, to uplift, to show mercy. Then, when our earthly journey ends, we will be welcomed — not by riches, but by the fruits of charity and by the God of justice who sees all.
Think of it this way: money in itself cannot buy eternal life. But when used to feed the hungry, to educate children, to care for the sick, to build community, it becomes a tool of grace — an investment in heaven.
“You Cannot Serve God and Mammon”
The Gospel ends with that clear statement: “No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and Mammon” (v. 13).
Mammon is not just money. It symbolises the false god of wealth, greed, and security apart from God. And here lies the challenge: many of us try to balance both. We pray to God on Sunday, yet spend the week trusting more in the bank account than in divine providence. Jesus says: Choose your master. Choose wisely.
Practical Lessons
- Be faithful in small things. Jesus says, “Whoever is faithful in little is faithful also in much.” Honesty in small daily matters — our workplace, family life, community interactions — prepares us to handle greater responsibilities.
- Use wealth wisely. Wealth is not evil; it is a gift to be managed. The question is not how much I have, but how I use what I have. Do I bless others or hoard for myself?
- See beyond today. The dishonest steward planned for earthly security. We must plan for eternal life. Are we investing in heaven?
A Saint’s Witness
St Lawrence, a deacon of the early Church, understood this well. When asked by Roman officials to present the Church’s treasures, he gathered the poor, the widows, and the orphans, and declared: “These are the treasures of the Church.” He used earthly means to highlight heavenly values. Lawrence reminds us that true wealth lies in people, in love, and in service.
My friends, today’s Word is challenging yet hopeful. Amos warns us not to exploit. The psalm lifts God’s justice. Paul urges prayer for all. And Jesus calls us to be shrewd — not in dishonesty, but in wisdom and foresight, to use passing wealth for eternal gain.
So let us ask ourselves: Who is my master? Where do I invest my time, my talents, my treasure?
If we choose Christ as Lord, then let every decision, small or great, reflect that choice. For in the end, when earthly wealth fails — and it surely will — only love, mercy, and faithful stewardship will remain. Amen.
Happy Sunday☘️💚✨🌹
