Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Jesus is calling us to learn to be trustworthy. We need to be able to handle the things of this world without being corrupted by them. We are called to use the things of this world in such a way that we may be welcomed into eternal dwellings rather than simply being caught in a system of gain and loss that distracts our hearts from God.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
The point today is that we need to learn to live in both humble circumstances and abundance. Both, in their own way, can cause us to turn from God. Both, lived well, can draw us nearer to him. Mammon can rule our hearts if we aren't using it for a higher purpose. Lack of what we think we need can make us bitter and focused only on making up for that lack.
We need to become like the Philippians whose offering became "a fragrant aroma" and "acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." This doesn't mean we are called to the radical poverty of some monastic orders. But it, while considering our own needs, our wealth, along with the rest of our time, talent and treasure, are put to use primarily not for us but for others.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
It seems that loving others might detract from what we ourselves receive. But this is not the case. It is only in living lives of self-gift that we truly receive anything that lasts.
"Man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. - Saint John Paul the Great
What is a small way in which we can use the "dishonest wealth" of this world today to prepare our places in eternal dwellings?
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.
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