A reading from the gospel according to Luke 16:9-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
9 “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
10 The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.
11 If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?
12 If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?
13 No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him.
15 And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Reflection: God and money

Some people think that having tons of money can make them happier. So they develop intense desire to earn a lot of money no matter what. Then even if they had already become rich, they still want more. In the process, their behavior change. They have less time for family and friends. Worse, they neglect their spiritual growth. They became too focused on accumulating wealth that it became their only purpose for living. In other words, they have made money their god.

Saint Paul tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Let’s read that again – it’s the love of money, not money itself which causes many people to fall, to fail and falter. Obviously, the scripture does not condemn money. God knows we need it for our survival in our earthly journey. We need money for the operation of our institutional church. In other words, it is not at all bad to aspire for material wealth.

Yet our behavior towards money can bring us to or away from eternal life. Indeed the love of money becomes the root cause of unhappiness. Husband and wife quarrel and separate because of money. Brothers and sisters fight each other for the right to inherit a bigger amount from their parents. Individuals are sent to jail due to embezzlement. The list goes on.

If only we make God our priority, all other things become less important. We cannot afford to have two priorities. Only one is needed. We know from experience that only God can give us long lasting happiness; money cannot do that. We also know that God is generous to His children. He provides all our needs if we put our full trust in Him. Thus there is absolutely no need to chase the pot of gold somewhere. God is worth more than a mountain of gold.

St. Matthew tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things we need will be given to us (Matthew 6:33). Let us put our hope in that promise, not in material wealth.

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A lot of people chase after material comfort, thinking it guarantees happiness and respect. To them, success is measured by wealth, influence, and possessions. Yet in the Gospel reading above, Jesus challenges this mindset by reminding us that true riches are not found in what we own, but in how we use what has been entrusted to us. He teaches that money and resources are tools, not treasures. They are temporary means meant to build eternal relationships and to serve God’s purposes, not our own ambitions.

The dishonest steward in the parable was praised, not for his dishonesty, but for his foresight. When he realized he was about to lose his position, he acted with urgency and creativity to secure his future. Jesus uses this example to awaken us to spiritual wisdom: if people in the world can be so shrewd in preparing for their temporary future, how much more should God’s children be wise in preparing for their eternal one?

In our daily lives, this means being intentional about how we use our time, money, and influence. Instead of hoarding wealth or using it for selfish gain, we can use it to bless others, to support a struggling family, sponsor a child’s education, or help sustain a ministry that brings people closer to God. When we invest our resources in acts of love and service, we are building relationships that echo into eternity. We become faithful stewards of what God has given, transforming temporary riches into everlasting impact.

But Jesus goes deeper: “Whoever is faithful in little will also be faithful in much.” This challenges us to examine how we handle even the smallest responsibilities. Integrity is not tested in grand moments but in the quiet decisions, when no one is watching, when the choice seems insignificant. Do we return what’s borrowed? Do we keep our promises? Do we speak truthfully even when it costs us something? Faithfulness in the small things reflects the true condition of the heart. God does not look at the size of our achievements but at the sincerity and consistency of our faithfulness.

The passage also warns against serving two masters. We cannot serve both God and money. This isn’t just about rejecting greed; it’s about loyalty. When our hearts are divided, our purpose becomes blurred. Money can easily become a false god, offering comfort and security but quietly demanding devotion. Jesus reminds us that God alone deserves our ultimate trust. Wealth fades, opportunities pass, but the love of God endures forever.

In today’s society, where consumerism and competition dominate, this teaching is revolutionary. True greatness is not in how much we accumulate but in how much we give. True wealth is not in what we store but in what we share. A generous heart reflects a life anchored in God’s abundance, not in fear of scarcity.

Think of the people who’ve touched your life, not necessarily the richest or most powerful, but those who gave of themselves: a teacher who believed in you, a friend who stood by you, a parent who sacrificed silently. Their legacy is not measured in material gain but in love, faith, and faithfulness. That’s the kind of wealth heaven values.

So let us strive to be wise stewards, using what we have not to build our own kingdom, but God’s. Let us remember that everything we possess including our talents, resources, and opportunities are entrusted to us for a purpose greater than ourselves. When we use them faithfully, with love and integrity, we store up treasures that no thief can steal and no rust can destroy.

In the end, our true riches are not in our bank accounts but in our hearts. To serve God wholeheartedly, to live with purpose, and to bless others generously. These are the marks of a life truly rich in the eyes of heaven.