Worldly Profit and Eternal Loss

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2019 7:15 pm Post subject: Worldly Profit and Eternal Loss

Worldly Profit and Eternal Loss

Scripture:

Hear this, you that crush the poor, and make the needy of the land to fail, saying: When will the month be over, and we shall sell our wares: and the sabbath, and we shall open the corn: that we may lessen the measure, and increase the sicle, and may convey in deceitful balances, that we may possess the needy for money, and the poor for a pair of shoes, and may sell the refuse of the corn? The Lord has sworn against the pride of Jacob: surely I will never forget all their works. ( Amos 8:4-7 )

I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men: For kings and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God: and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times. Where unto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle (I say the truth, I lie not), a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-8 )

And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said to him: How is it that I hear this of you? Give an account of your stewardship: for now you can be steward no longer. And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord takes away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able; to beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Therefore calling together every one of his lord' s debtors, he said to the first: How much do you owe my lord? But he said: An hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take your bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another: And how much do you owe? Who said: A hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take your bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended the unjust steward, for as much as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is greater: and he that is unjust in that which is little is unjust also in that which is greater. If then you have not been faithful in the unjust mammon, who will trust you with that which is the true? And if you have not been faithful in that which is of another, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other: or he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:1-13)

Reflection:

We are called to do what is right and just. We are called to fairness with one another, but beyond fairness, we are also called to care for one another. (cf. Matthew 22:36-40) We might ask, then, how is it there is so much deceit and sentiments of ?buyer beware? as value is generated and exchanged between the people? Could we imagine the blessings which might be shared if we were concerned less with the profits of the world and focused more on that which profits the soul; the profit of which there is but one currency, the works and sacrifices of love?

We are called to give the laborer his due (cf Luke 10:7, 1 Timothy 5:18, James 5:4), but when we are laborers, do we also consider that our work must also yield fair value? (cf 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) Can we imagine the world which yields fairness in what is done and what is received? This is the way of the righteous; fairness, justice, and charity as we carry out the transactions of life. Sadly, the ways of the world tempt us to seek advantage over one another, which only creates an environment for deceit, abuse, sorrow, and misery.

We are advised to not always trust and to be wary of those whose interests are not the same as ours; where fairness is not their motivation, rather, self-interest. (cf. Ben Sira [Sirach] 37:11) Still, what is a relationship where one must always be wary of another? We, therefore, are well advised to offer what is just if we expect fairness in return. We are also well advised to seek the company of those who keep the commandments of the Lord (cf. Ben Sira [Sirach] 37:12), for His commandments call us not only to fairness, but to charity and love. (cf. Matthew 22:36-40)

The responsibility of what is right and just falls to us all, but those who hold advantages of power over others are called to a greater responsibility. From their position which holds sway over others; fairness, justice, and charity must also be their guide if they are to live up to the responsibility entrusted to them (cf. Luke 12:48, Ephesians 6:9), for we must recognize we are but stewards within this world.

The children of His creation are not the creators, but the created. God created us in His image and gave us dominion over His creation. (cf. Genesis 1:26-27) As the stewards of His creation, then, we should also expect an accounting of what we have done with what He has entrusted to us. This is the way God forms the fabric of life, by weaving together the talents of the children of His creation. The question is, will we allow God to guide us to the means by which a great tapestry of love may be woven from our endeavors or will we choose to remain tangled fibers upon the floor, a refuse which shall be eventually swept up and discarded to the fire?

We must consider, there is nothing we can do if God did not first create within us and entrust to us the talents which enable our work. He distributed our talents so that no one may have all, but so that we might share of ourselves and enable one another. If we are good stewards, we will do what is right and just, not only for one another as our Creator instructs us, but also for He who is our Master in heaven.

We must also consider the treasures He has entrusted to us; especially the treasures of our children. If we do not teach them well, then, how will they teach their children? If we do not teach them the ways of their Creator, then, what will they teach the generations to come? If we do not teach them the ways of fairness, charity and all which is right and just, how will they pass on the ways of the Lord; the ways of love? If we do not teach them of the measures of the One to whom they shall owe an accounting, then, how will they be prepared for that day, that moment, where they are asked, ?What have you done with what I have given you?? (cf. Matthew 25:14-30)

The balance by which we are measured is not determined simply by values exchanged. We must also consider the fortunes by which they are received and the purpose to which they may be put. As stewards of His creation and managers of the affairs entrusted to us, we must also consider the decisions our Master in heaven would make. As stewards, we are responsible to put His teaching into action and the desires He has for His creation. (cf. Matthew 7:12, 25:31-46)

Let us not squander the gifts of the Lord so that in so doing, we lose the eternal gift of a place within His kingdom. (cf. Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:36, Luke 9:25) To be responsible stewards, then, let us observe the teachings of our Master. To be responsible stewards, let us listen within our hearts for His instruction. As responsible stewards, let us not seek the treasures which shall only decay and pass away (cf. Matthew 6:19-21), but let us consider that which shall bring our soul eternal profit; the profit which grows as it is shared, the profit which serves all, the profit which are the blessings of love.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we fail in our call to fairness with one another?

In what ways do we seek the instruction of our Master as to the affairs He desires we manage?

In what ways must we improve our stewardship of what our Master has entrusted to us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier