GET FRIENDS IN HEAVEN

XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Lk 16:1-13

With the parable of the dishonest steward (Lk 16:1-8), Jesus speaks about responsible management, leadership of service and the use or abuse of riches. A quick reading of the parable may leave us with the idea that corruption and dishonesty are acceptable, since the steward is praised for his astuteness. However, it is made very clear that he  was a thief who added abuse of authority to his evil actions.

The crooked ways of our world

The parable serves as an example of the saying that "the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light." (Lk 16:8). Once discovered, the steward was called to account; and like him, we will be called to account, since we have been entrusted with responsibility. Once in charge of something, we must do our duties responsibly, being faithful to them. 

The crooked steward showed how clever and bold he could be for the sake of his self-preservation: dismissed from his job, he realised how precarious his future would be and wasted no time in finding a solution that would guarantee his survival.

The parable shows the pattern of behaviour that goes on in our corrupt world. In fact, we can find endless cases of highly corrupt people who emptied the coffers of the State or of the companies which they administered, and go scot free, still managing to get a handsome pack for their retirement.

Read and interpret the situation

In the parable, the steward was praised only for his ability to read the situation and to take quick action in order to get the best out of it. Jesus uses the parable to tell his disciples that they should show similar ability to read the signs of the times in order to discover God's will, doing what is right and guaranteeing their future. 

Put riches at the service of others

The crooked steward used what did not belong to him to get friends that would protect him and give him a place to stay. Like him, being evil stewards, we misuse what does not belong to us. But at least we should use it to get friends in heaven, those who will accompany us and receive us at the gates of heaven. 

The parable is also about the use or abuse of riches. We must use our position, our influence, our power and our money to get friends in heaven. Jesus explained this aspect of the parable by saying: "use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity" (Lk 16:9). This is only possible when we put ourselves and everything that we have at the service of others.

Money can’t be our god

Wealth is only of great value, when it is used as a tool for the service of others. Alone, it becomes a god that oppresses those who put their hearts and mind on it.

"No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money." (Lk 16:13)