8 Nov 2014 - cheat code

What is the secret Paul and Zacchaeus know that can change our lives?

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,

What is this dishonest wealth? It sounds like something we shouldn't even touch. One of the early fathers of the Church explains:

Those then are called the riches of unrighteousness which the Lord has given for the necessities of our brethren and fellow-servants, but we spend upon ourselves.

Augustine tells us that when we make friends using dishonest wealth we are like Zacchaeus.

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over" (cf. Luk. 19:8).

The LORD gives us many gifts to steward for others. It becomes dishonest wealth when we keep it for ourselves. The best thing to do with it is to use it for the purpose for which it is intended. The best thing to do is give it away!

When we do, we see one of the ways that "love covers a multitude of sins" (cf. 1 Pet. 4:8). As Ambrose tells us, "by giving to the poor we may purchase the favour of angels and all the saints."

If we don't use our time, talent, and treasure the way God intends we will find ourselves slaves to the things that are supposed to be blessings to ourselves and others.

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 God and mammon.”

So let us be like the Philippians and not the Pharisees "who loved money". This is why Paul is so happy to see the Philippians support him. It isn't for his sake, but for what it does for their own souls.

It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.

In order to have a loose grasp on the things of this world we have to trust in the strength we have in Jesus. Otherwise, absence of worldly possessions only reveals a vacuum, a bottomless and unfillable pit of gnawing hunger. We are to use the things of the world as though not using them (1 Cor. 7:31). To do it, we need to know the secret that Paul knows.

I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.

What is that secret?

I can do all things in him who strengthens me. 

or as the NAB has it:

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.

He strengthens us as well. We can claim this promise this morning. Say it out loud today. Say it often. Let us claim this word as our own so that it can transform us. We too experience the promise of the psalmist:

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.