Stewards of the Lord’s Goods
Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 (Luke 16:10-13)
Prophet Amos, known as the prophet of social justice, condemns those who place profits over people (Amos 8:4-7). “A theory that makes profit the exclusive norm and ultimate end of economic activity is morally unacceptable” (CCC, 2424). They dream to have their shops open seven days a week and they engaged in dishonest trade (Amos 8:5). Things has not change much since Amos spoken those words. Sunday is a working day in many countries and dishonest business practices often make headlines in our newspapers.
The prodigal son squandered his inheritance (Lk 15:13), and the steward was squandering his master’s property (Lk 16:1). But unlike that lost son, the steward did not think about repentance. Instead he devised a shrewd plan that would allow him to live after losing his job (Lk 16:4-7). The word “shrewd” appears for the first time on the pages of the Bible in the book of Genesis: “Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made” (Gen 3:1). Shrewd were also the corrupt merchants from the book of Amos – they knew how to make money even out of grain refuse (Amos 8:6). But the Lord “will never forget any of their doings” (Amos 8:7).
“Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16). Jesus addressed the parable of dishonest steward to his disciples (Lk 16:1). As the steward found a way to be welcomed into people’s home, we should know what to do in order to be received into the “eternal tents” (Lk 16:9). When the prefect of Rome demanded all the treasure of the Church, Saint Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth. He then distributed the property of the Church among the poor and on the third day he came with the crippled, the blind, and the suffering declaring that they were the true treasure of the Church. For this act of shrewdness, Saint Lawrence paid with his own life. We was martyred on August 10, 258 AD.
As Christians we are stewards “of the Lord’s goods” (CCC, 952), both spiritual and material. Faithfulness and undivided loyalty to Jesus are demanded from us in administering those “goods” to the world (Lk 16:10-13). Saint Paul is a very good example of such faithful and prudent steward (Lk 12:42). Jesus appointed him to be “a preacher and apostle, […] a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Tim 2:7). Paul faithfully proclaimed the Gospel to them about one God who “who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4) and about one mediator Jesus Christ “who gave himself as ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:5-6).
If from Saint Paul we can learn how to be trustworthy, then the life of our Lord teaches us generosity. “For you know the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). Jesus gave up the riches of the glory in heaven and came into this world to save us. During his years of ministry, he spent himself entirely for others. Then, at the cross he gave his life for our salvation. This poverty of Christ makes us rich in God’s abundant grace. “Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor” (Ps 113:1.7). We, who were once miserably poor, now have the access to our heavenly inheritance.
“Prepare a full account of your stewardship” (Lk 16:2). One day “each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). Since we do not know that day or the hour (Mt 25:13), we should not squander the Lord’s goods but administer them faithfully to the needy and those in want.
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 (Luke 16:10-13)
Prophet Amos, known as the prophet of social justice, condemns those who place profits over people (Amos 8:4-7). “A theory that makes profit the exclusive norm and ultimate end of economic activity is morally unacceptable” (CCC, 2424). They dream to have their shops open seven days a week and they engaged in dishonest trade (Amos 8:5). Things has not change much since Amos spoken those words. Sunday is a working day in many countries and dishonest business practices often make headlines in our newspapers.
The prodigal son squandered his inheritance (Lk 15:13), and the steward was squandering his master’s property (Lk 16:1). But unlike that lost son, the steward did not think about repentance. Instead he devised a shrewd plan that would allow him to live after losing his job (Lk 16:4-7). The word “shrewd” appears for the first time on the pages of the Bible in the book of Genesis: “Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made” (Gen 3:1). Shrewd were also the corrupt merchants from the book of Amos – they knew how to make money even out of grain refuse (Amos 8:6). But the Lord “will never forget any of their doings” (Amos 8:7).
“Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16). Jesus addressed the parable of dishonest steward to his disciples (Lk 16:1). As the steward found a way to be welcomed into people’s home, we should know what to do in order to be received into the “eternal tents” (Lk 16:9). When the prefect of Rome demanded all the treasure of the Church, Saint Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth. He then distributed the property of the Church among the poor and on the third day he came with the crippled, the blind, and the suffering declaring that they were the true treasure of the Church. For this act of shrewdness, Saint Lawrence paid with his own life. We was martyred on August 10, 258 AD.
As Christians we are stewards “of the Lord’s goods” (CCC, 952), both spiritual and material. Faithfulness and undivided loyalty to Jesus are demanded from us in administering those “goods” to the world (Lk 16:10-13). Saint Paul is a very good example of such faithful and prudent steward (Lk 12:42). Jesus appointed him to be “a preacher and apostle, […] a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Tim 2:7). Paul faithfully proclaimed the Gospel to them about one God who “who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4) and about one mediator Jesus Christ “who gave himself as ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:5-6).
If from Saint Paul we can learn how to be trustworthy, then the life of our Lord teaches us generosity. “For you know the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). Jesus gave up the riches of the glory in heaven and came into this world to save us. During his years of ministry, he spent himself entirely for others. Then, at the cross he gave his life for our salvation. This poverty of Christ makes us rich in God’s abundant grace. “Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor” (Ps 113:1.7). We, who were once miserably poor, now have the access to our heavenly inheritance.
“Prepare a full account of your stewardship” (Lk 16:2). One day “each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). Since we do not know that day or the hour (Mt 25:13), we should not squander the Lord’s goods but administer them faithfully to the needy and those in want.
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
