The Gospel for this Sunday is Luke 16:1-13.
1 Why does Jesus talk about finances?
Jesus often talked about money. As many as 11 of Jesus’ 40 parables make reference to finances. However, he didn’t hang on to money; it’s not the purpose of the parables. Jesus spoke about material things in order to teach by analogy about more important, that is, spiritual things.
2 Key words
No servant can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and mammon!
The use of the word “mammon” is not a coincidence. Some biblical scholars point out that we are dealing here with the so-called paronomasia, that is, an association with a well-known word. In this case, “mammon” is associated with the word “amen.” This is a dangerous association because “amen” is a religious term that means “to believe, to put one’s trust in.” In this way, “mammon” can subconsciously be brought into the religious space and even put in the place of God. Then everything becomes subordinate to it. One puts one’s trust in mammon and not in God. That is why Jesus – knowing people – warns: “You cannot serve God and mammon!”
Mammon is a trap for the one who serves it, but it is a help to the person it serves. Jesus himself said: “Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” This acquiring of friends also means almsgiving, to which the Lord God often invites us in the Scriptures.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,who will trust you with true wealth?
Money is given and tasked to us. It is there to serve us, not the other way around. Jesus encourages us to make the best use of money.
3 Today.
Often a lack of transparency about finances is a problem. It is best to start with yourself and settle your business with God and people as soon as possible, especially debts. It is good to write a will even when we are still young.
And today we celebrate...