Money is not Wealth.

Homily for November 11, 2017.

“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?” Luke 16:11 

Our Gospel passage today is a continuation of that of yesterday. Having given the parable of the dishonest steward who acted wisely in other to win friends for himself after his removal from office, Jesus goes ahead to teach us some lessons about money.

First, notice that Jesus refers to money as UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON. Whether we like it or not, money is god, it is an idol, it is something we run after, we bow before it, we all want it; we are ready to do anything for it. There is a saying: “money talks, bullshit walks.”

Knowing we have some money has a way of giving us joy and the lack of money breeds anger, frustration and grief. Some even say that the lack of money can as well be the root of evil. We all love money regardless of how much we have and I am yet to see anyone who says the money he or she has is enough.

However, since money is a god, we who say we believe in God should be careful not to allow it take the place of God in our hearts. Jesus warns us about attempting to serve two masters saying we only deceive ourselves by so doing. It is either we would hate God and love money or hate money and love God. Take a look at what happens in our churches and worship centres today and you would agree that Jesus is right.

The second lesson we learn from Jesus regarding money is that IT DOES NOT BELONG TO US. This is a point we must never forget. We all came to meet money in this world and no matter how much of it we think we have, we shall all leave everything behind. Jesus says: “And if you have not been faithful with that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” Luke 16:12.

Merely looking at money itself would show you that it does not belong to you. It is not even your name or your picture that is on the money. At a point, Jesus picked a coin and asked whose inscription is on it and the people responded: “Caesar’s.” Jesus then said: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Knowing that money does not and will never belong to us should help reduce our adoration for it and realize that the world will not end if we happen to lose money.

The third lesson from Jesus is that MONEY IS NOT WEALTH. Having a lot of money does not make me rich. The world may consider me as rich but in the eyes of God who created me, I am as poor as ever. Jesus said: “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?” Luke 16:11. There are true riches reserved for those who do not make money their God in this life. There are true riches awaiting us in heaven.

Knowing that a person has a lot of money makes us increase our respect for him or her because we look at such a person as rich but what we learn from Jesus today is that we should no longer worship people who have money. Money is an unrighteous mammon, it is not riches.

All the money in the world is “very little” compared to the true riches Jesus is talking about. Jesus says: “He who is faithful in very little is faithful also in much and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” Luke 16:10.

In conclusion, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAITHFUL WITH MONEY? It means using money rather that allow money use me! It means worshiping God rather than money. It means refusing to tell a lie because of money. It means willingness to lose money for the sake of God; that is, the willingness to give money away; helping the sick, the thirsty, the hungry, the homeless, the prisoners and all those in need.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me wisdom to handle money. Amen.

St. Martin of Tours, Pray for us.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 31^st week in Ordinary Time. Memorial of St. Martin. Bible Study: Romans 16:3-27 and Luke 16:9-15).