Be a Prudent Steward

09-22-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

The greatest human value that God has blessed us with is life itself. Yes, our faith has taught us that life is far more precious than the money we have, the food we eat or the clothes we wear. This faith also has taught us the place of material things in life. That possessions are only on loan to us, and in time we must leave them all behind. Job's statement of fact in the Bible refreshes our memory about life and possessions: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.”(Job 1:21). To drive this message home, the church selected these readings today to remind us that we are God’s stewards and that God expects faithful and prudent stewardship from us. They challenge us to use our God-given talents and blessings, like wealth, wisely to attain Heavenly bliss.

Amos, the 8th century BC prophet of social justice, in the first reading condemns the crooked business practices of the Jewish merchants of Judea and reminds the Israelites and us to be faithful to our Covenant with Yahweh, God of justice. We need to practice justice and mercy to all, as God’s faithful stewards. Amos warns us also against gaining money by any means, as the goal of our life. In the second reading, St. Paul instructs the first century Judeo-Christians to become true stewards of the Gospel of Jesus, the only mediator, by preaching the “Good News” to the pagans and by including them in intercessory prayers, too. Today’s Gospel story tells us about the crooked but resourceful manager and challenges us to use our blessings — time, talents, health and wealth – wisely and justly so that they will serve us for our good, in eternity. We use our earthly wealth wisely when we spend it for our own needs in moderation and when we love and help the needy around us, because these are the purposes for which God has entrusted His blessings to us.

Let us consider the truth that each one of us is the steward Jesus is talking in the parable and the rich man is God Himself who entrusted to us all the graces and what he created. If we reflect this gospel, a steward should have the following characteristics based on the parable itself.

Your wise investment will shape your future. Therefore, invest wisely now for the good of your future, and know too as a steward, you shall give account of all you ever possessed before God the giver of all good things. We need to pray then for the virtues of justice, mercy and prudence in dealing with others.

Fr. Julius

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