25th Sunday Ordinary C/ Cant serve God and Mammon
  Amos 8:4-7/ Ps 113/ 1 Tim 2:1-6/ Luke 16:1-18
  Introduction
 

          If we fall short of savings, many of us would try to have double job. Even though we already have full time work we can still have sideline after 5pm or during weekends just to have something to pay our obligations. But this was not the case of the stewards in Israel. When they pledge to serve, they would serve only one master, giving all their time and attention to him alone. Literally speaking, “you can not serve two masters at the same time.” That’s why to have enough money to meet both ends together. Oftentimes they would take extra money for themselves in every transaction of the business of his master.

  
  Background
 
  1. Oftentimes landowners will go to distant places and leave all the decisions to his slave as his steward. Since the master was away and they need more money, they will take something for themselves. Let’s say, if somebody wants to borrow 80 bags of wheat, he will list 100 bags. So that when he pays back, he can give 80 to the landowner as payment and 20 for him. In today’s Gospel the steward did not deceive the owner. He simply “re-adjusted” the computation to its original amount. By being fair to borrowers he hoped to be friend to them so that when he is dismissed from work somebody will receive him to his house.

  2. In Palestine, life could be tough. If you lose your job that could be end of your life and your family. It is important to establish firm and good ties with your family and strong bond of friendship with other people, so that when things comes to worst, you will have something to go to. But if you are proven to be good and responsible steward, your master will assign you to his bigger farm.

  3. Jesus used the same example to tell the leaders of the Jews, that the “people of God” was entrusted to them by Yahweh. They should not abuse them. They were only stewards and they will give “accounting” at the end of time. If “temporal life” can not be entrusted to them, how can God entrust to them a bigger one - eternal life. 
  
  Reflection:  
 
  1. Whenever we open our wallet we should remember that those blessings and treasures are not ours alone. They are only entrusted to us, as keepers and “treasurers” of God. Money is not bad if we are responsible in using them. We should think not only for the good of ourselves by for also for the welfare of other people on need. Charity given to the poor would stand to a man’s credit in the world to come. A man’s true wealth would consist not in what he kept, but in what he gave away.” What we will get in heaven depends on how we use the things of earth. “What you will be given as your very own will depend on how you use the things of which you are only steward”

  2. We can be creative how to find ways to use money not only for our enrichment alone but to develop others’ life too. Anything, even those simple help that you extended to your friends will be remembered in their hearts. If life becomes so tough you will need a “fall back” to cling on. You will be surprised to find “shoulders” that you can cry on.
    “Fall back” is very important. We are assured that someone will accept us anytime and fall. When things become worst, we should at least have a “name” and “phone number” in mind that we can easily call anytime, who will never say no to you. No matter what happen, whatever mistakes you did, he is ready to receive and accept you anytime with an “open door.” We should be careful not to destroy such good ties of friendship, with abuse of kindness and simple misunderstanding.

  3. Many people hope for promotions. Many politicians what to be elected to a higher public office and that is not bad, we have to grow. But great success starts from small trust given to us by our boss or by the people during elections. It is unthinkable and unfortunate that many corrupt officials can still be “re-elected” and even to a higher office. It could happen it this world, but not in heaven. God knows that if we will not be responsible in handling worldly things we can not be entrusted heavenly things.
 
  Conclusion  
 

         We can not serve both God and Mammon (if we make distinctions between the two) But if we realize that the way handle life here on earth reflects the kind of life we will have in heaven then we can aspire for both “spiritual and material things” but serving only one God. If we can be entrusted with small things, great blessings will surely come.