The theme of suppression of the poor, and swindling flows into advice on assuring peace and quiet for practicing our religion, to dealing with shrewd business practices. None of these topics has ceased to be of concern to us; they may be even more pressing today than ever before. Amos describes those who suppress the poor: they tampered with the scales; brought up the allegiance of the poor with money, and the needy with a pair of sandals. Some would even sell the sweepings of the wheat, rather than give them to the poor. Amos admonishes those who do these things: “The Lord …will never forget a thing they have done!”
Jesus speaks to his disciples, and to us, about our inevitable conflicts when we are driven to weigh what seems to be demanded by society, and what we discern in our hearts to be the will of God. The parable of the crafty, shrewd, wasteful, cunning, tricky steward has always been a puzzle to me. He deserves the negative adjectives that we may assign him, but we meet him at a time in his life that causes an abrupt change in his actions. He essentially was accused by his master of unsound and wasteful business practices. He was a poor steward, because he could not even be trusted with small matters. Suddenly, however, he was faced with the loss of his job, his social standing, and even his future livelihood. This was no longer, in most people’s estimation, a small matter. His response was unexpected, but shrewd. He made friends with those who owed his master. While he still had the power to do so, he slashed the amounts that they owed the master. He, thereby, assured that he would be asked into their homes, and possibly, would even be employed by them; he was saved from ruin and humiliation.
Why did Jesus seem to praise the actions of this man? When I first heard this parable as a youngster, I imagined that it was because the steward saved himself, and at the same time exhibited a kind of financial kindness to the debtors. Jesus, I now believe, is telling us that this is an example of behavior that is considered to be good practice by those who are not “Children of the Light,” i.e., not yet his followers. The steward did the best that he could while in the service of money and those who control it. Jesus warns us that we cannot serve two masters. While our allegiance is divided between what pleases God, and what will merely increase our personal wealth, or social standing, we are not “in the light”. We are constantly being measured, and we measure others by what riches and property they do or do not have. It is clear from Jesus’ words that we should try to recognize by our actions, words, and thoughts, the goodness of God in each person. Discern the spirit of God in our hearts.
St Paul was aware of the affects that kings, and others in authority can have on us and our religious practices. He reminds Timothy to offer prayers, petitions, and intercessions, especially for kings and others in authority…”so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet.” God wants all of us to be saved. Pray for times of peace and quiet. Pray for times that allow us to serve just one master, God.
Tamora Whitney
I teach in the English department. I teach composition and literature and Critical Issues -- a class that has a component on Jesuit values.
I like writing these reflections because it makes me think more deeply about the scripture and think about how to integrate the ideas into my own life and how to share these ideas with others.
