Reflection:
Jesus’ teaching that “no servant can serve two masters” remains as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. Though few people would admit to serving “mammon,” or money, many of our daily decisions are quietly driven by it—what we buy, how we spend, and what we hope to gain. Rarely do we pause to ask whether our choices are guided by love of God, by justice, or by care for the poor. This struggle is not new; it has always been part of human life.
The root of the problem often begins with the word “mine.” We claim ownership of things, but in truth nothing ultimately belongs to us. God, who created and sustains all things, is the true owner. Even our very bodies are not our own, as St. Paul reminds us: “You are not your own… you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20). C.S. Lewis makes the same point in The Screwtape Letters, where he notes that humans cannot truly say “mine” about anything. In the end, all will belong either to God or to the Enemy.
The antidote to this illusion of ownership is the idea of stewardship. In the ancient world, a steward (oikonomos: oikos meaning “house” and nomos meaning “law”) was entrusted with managing an entire household, though he owned none of it himself. His task was to ensure that bills were paid, meals were served, and children were taught—all for the well-being of the family. In the same way, God entrusts us with lives, talents, and opportunities. These are gifts meant not only for our benefit, but for God’s glory and the good of others.
Jesus’ parable of the dishonest steward highlights the urgency of stewardship. Though the steward acted unjustly, his master commended him for his cleverness. Jesus’ point is that if the “children of this world” are so shrewd with worldly goods, how much more wisely should the “children of light” use what God has entrusted to them. Earthly wealth is fleeting, but true wealth is eternal life with Christ.
Therefore, we must stop saying “mine” in the deepest sense. Everything is God’s. Our task is to be faithful stewards, always asking: “Lord, what do you want me to do with what you have given me?”
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I let money or possessions influence my decisions more than love of God, justice, or service to others?
- How does remembering that everything ultimately belongs to God change the way I view ownership and responsibility?
- What would it look like for me to live as a faithful steward, using what God has entrusted to me not only for my good but also for His glory and the good of others?