The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111017.cfm)
reminds me that I should be wise with my earthly wealth.
When we say someone is wise
with money, we usually associate it to good businessmen and investors who can
make more with what they originally have. They are wise and know how to handle
and increase their wealth. That is how the world looks at it. However, today I
am reminded of something more. A wiser use of wealth.
A wise use if earthly wealth is to create heavenly ones.
A few years back, I read a book
called “The Law of Rewards” and one
of the main point it says is that we should invest
in eternity. The book puts it that we are just travelers in this
world, and heaven is our real home. We will just stay in this earth for a short
time. That being the case, we should be wise and use whatever we have on earth
to build our home for eternity. We
should use temporary resources on earth to build our
house in heaven, instead of holding on to it and enjoying it here.
God wants us to use our worldly blessings to prepare for eternal
ones.
In
the gospel, we see the story of a dishonest steward. It was said that during
that time, the stewards get a certain amount or percentage from the money the
owners get. They have an automatic cut from the payments of the people. That is
why when the steward found out he will be dismissed from work, he actually did
not “cheat” the master to gain favour from the people. What he actually did was
to take off his “cut” or his share in the amount, and just asked the people to
pay exactly what will be given to the master. In that way, he found favour in
the eyes of the people, and the master commended him for using his resources
(or letting go of it) in preparation for his being fired from the job.
God has given us resources on
this earth. And to live decently and comfortably, we don’t actually need a lot.
What we spend is sometimes above and beyond the actual basics that we need.
This is what God wants us to realize – that
we should not enjoy too much that we forget other people. We
are given resources not only for ourselves, but for us to help others as well.
In doing so, we are not only doing good, but being wise as well. Money and
everything in this earth will pass away. They will gather dust, and will be
left in this earth when we die. We need to be prudent
and wise with how we use
what we have. As we use our resources to help others and build God’s kingdom,
we are being wise and use these temporary resources to build our eternal home
in heaven.
May we live by the
quote – live simply, so that others
may simply live. And be wise stewards and prepare our eternal
place in heaven by the temporary riches on earth.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live and to serve you. Thank you for your
love. Thank you for the very important reminder. Sorry for the times I focus
too much on myself and my wants. Sorry for forgetting that there is eternity.
Lord, help me use my resources properly. I thank you for providing for me
and my family, and I make the decision to share whatever I have to others. I do
not need a lot of things. I have more than enough, so I will share your gifts
and blessings to others. Help me be generous not only with my material
resources, but with my time, talent, and prayers as well. Create in me a heart
that would always be sensitive to others, that would always be willing to be in
pain as I be of service and blessing to others. May I be a happy giver for your
kingdom. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 489
Reading 1ROM 15:14-21
I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters,
that you yourselves are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.
But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you,
because of the grace given me by God
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles
in performing the priestly service of the Gospel of God,
so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable,
sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God.
For I will not dare to speak of anything
except what Christ has accomplished through me
to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
by the power of signs and wonders,
by the power of the Spirit of God,
so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum
I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel
not where Christ has already been named,
so that I do not build on another's foundation,
but as it is written:
Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.
that you yourselves are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.
But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you,
because of the grace given me by God
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles
in performing the priestly service of the Gospel of God,
so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable,
sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God.
For I will not dare to speak of anything
except what Christ has accomplished through me
to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
by the power of signs and wonders,
by the power of the Spirit of God,
so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum
I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel
not where Christ has already been named,
so that I do not build on another's foundation,
but as it is written:
Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.
Responsorial PsalmPS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4
R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Alleluia1 JN 2:5
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 16:1-8
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
'What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one.
To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'
Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of wheat.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.'
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than the children of light."
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