9/21/2025 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reading: Luke 16:1-13

1 Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.
2 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.’
3 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.
4 I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.’
5 He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 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.’
7 Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’
8 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 are the children of light.
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 both God and mammon.”

9/21/2025 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 16:1-13

One of the greatest challenges in our time is learning how to handle what has been entrusted to us. Whether it is money, possessions, talents, relationships, or even time, we are all stewards of things that ultimately do not belong to us. The Gospel passage above reminds us of this truth through the parable of the shrewd manager. At first glance, the story seems confusing. The manager is dishonest, yet he is praised for his shrewdness. What Jesus wants us to see, however, is not the dishonesty but the foresight, the ability to act with urgency and intentionality when faced with a decisive moment.

In modern times, people spend countless hours planning investments, careers, and social images. Financial advisors teach strategies for wealth growth; companies create detailed projections for profit; families carefully prepare their children for the future. But often, little effort is placed in planning for eternity. The parable reminds us that if people in the world can be so shrewd and intentional for temporary gains, how much more should followers of God be wise, faithful, and purposeful with what has been entrusted to them for eternal impact.

Stewardship is not only about money. It is about every resource given by God. Time is one of the most overlooked treasures. Many spend it on distractions such as scrolling endlessly through social media, binge-watching shows, or chasing trivial pursuits while neglecting deeper relationships, acts of kindness, and spiritual growth. The shrewd manager acted decisively with the little time he had left in his position. In the same way, we must use the limited time we have to plant seeds of goodness, generosity, and love that will bear fruit far beyond our earthly lives.

Another resource we are entrusted with is influence. Every person, no matter how ordinary, influences others. A word of encouragement to a co-worker, a lesson patiently taught to a child, or a testimony shared with a friend can ripple into eternal consequences. When Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and wealth,” He was not condemning possessions themselves but warning against misplaced loyalty. If our influence is used only to climb social ladders or gain recognition, then it is wasted. But if it is used to point people toward hope, truth, and grace, then we are managing our influence wisely.

The heart of this passage lies in the principle of faithfulness. Jesus emphasized that whoever is faithful in little things will also be faithful in greater things. Faithfulness is often tested not in grand stages but in the small, unseen moments of life. Choosing honesty when no one is watching, practicing generosity even when resources seem scarce, or offering forgiveness when it feels undeserved, these are the daily decisions that shape us into trustworthy stewards.

In today’s consumer-driven culture, success is often measured by what we accumulate. But Jesus flips this standard upside down. The measure of true success is not how much we own but how well we manage what God has placed in our hands. Wealth, talents, and opportunities are temporary. The eternal reward comes when we use them for purposes greater than ourselves like building relationships, serving others, advancing God’s mission, and caring for creation.

So how do we apply this in daily life? Start by asking: What has God entrusted to me? Is it a skill that can bless others? A financial resource that can support meaningful work? A position at work where integrity can shine? A family where love and guidance can be nurtured? Once we identify these, we must act intentionally and faithfully. Small acts including sharing with someone in need, mentoring a young person, dedicating time to prayer, and volunteering in community work become investments in eternity.

In the end, the question is not whether we have wealth or power, but whether we have chosen to serve God with what we have. Every steward faces an account. The faithful ones, no matter how small their resources, will hear the greatest affirmation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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