Philippians 4:10-19 / Luke 16:9-15
Paul speaks about life: I have learned to cope with all situations.
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Do we really believe that every experience— even a bad
experience—is an opportunity? "Every part of our lives has value. What has
value can be shared." JamesKel1y
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Today we have an interesting juxtaposition of texts. Jesus
in the Gospel speaks of the proper use of material goods, while Paul speaks of
the concrete ways in which the Philippians have responded to his needs in a
material way. For his part, Paul knows what it means to live in humble
circumstances as well as what it means to have abundance. Paul finds himself
self-sufficient in either set of circumstances. Christ strengthens and empowers
him in any situation, but he is still grateful to the Philippians for being
mindful of him. He is happy not so much for himself but for the benefits that
will accrue to the community. Now he prays that the riches of Christ will be
theirs in abundance.
We know that money can wield power and exert influence and
no one can be spared of the temptation and the lure of money and the luxuries
of life it can buy. Hence the love for money and the greed for it is the root
of all evils imaginable. Over the topic of money there can be prolonged
discussions on it as well as endless worries over it.
Even in today's readings, the topic seems to be on the money. St. Paul talked about
money but it was not about his worry over it; rather it was to be used for
service and for how he managed with whatever he had. He had been through his
initiation (his experience of Jesus) and he was ready for anything, whether
full stomach or empty, whether in poverty or in plenty. There was nothing he
cannot master with the help of the One who gives his strength.
Indeed, when we understand the teaching of Jesus about money, we will be able
to manage money and not let it manage us. And if we cannot be trusted with
money which is not ours, then how can we be sure we won't lose what
belongs to us?
When we give in to greed, we will be the losers; but when we live by honesty
and integrity, then we show who is our Master. We serve Jesus our Master
when we can be trusted even in small things.
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To use money for a worthy cause is commended by Christ in
today’s Gospel. In our own times we have seen philanthropists contribute
billions of dollars to eradicate disease and poverty in poor parts of the
world. This is something that deserves commendation and is wholly in accord
with Christian belief. Outsourcing work to poor countries of the world where
labor is cheap and employees here find themselves without a job is quite another
matter. Is the latter a case of serving God? Or Mammon?
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Let us Pray: Lord our God, you tell us today through
your Son that we cannot be at the same time your friends and the friends of
money. Make us see more deeply that we are money’s friends when we are unjust
to others or tolerate injustice by our silence. But make us also more deeply
aware that we are your friends when we value simple living, when we are not
greedy for money or social status, but when we invest in people and use your
gifts for serving them and building up your kingdom. We ask this through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
