A Reflection on Luke 16:1–8 : Be Wise for Heaven(7-11-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

In a monastery, there were many young men who wanted to become monks. Every day, they had their time for work and their time for play. During work hours, some of them were often a little lazy. If there was even a light rain, they would say, “Let us stay inside today.” But when it was time to play, the same rain did not stop them. They would run outside, laughing and shouting, and enjoy every drop that fell on them.

One day, a senior monk stood watching them. He smiled kindly and said, “My dear brothers, I am happy to see your joy in playing. I only wish you would keep this same spirit in your spiritual life. It is not wrong to play, but I hope you can bring the same energy when it comes to prayer and to your work for God.”

This is very much like what Jesus says in today’s Gospel. When He spoke of the dishonest steward, He was not praising his cheating or wickedness. He was praising his quick and wise action. Jesus wished that we, the children of light, would show the same energy, the same cleverness, but for good and holy things.

Jesus said, “The children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than the children of light.” What He means is that worldly people often work very hard and plan carefully for their future on earth. They are active, alert, and determined. But we who know there is a heaven waiting for us are often slow and careless in preparing for it.

We can think of this in our own life. Many of us spend a lot of thought on our business, on buying land, or on our children’s studies. But how much thought do we give to our prayer life, to confession, to charity, or to helping someone in need? If we can be clever in worldly matters, why not be clever in heavenly ones? If we can stay awake late for a movie or a game, why not rise early for prayer? If we can plan a trip or a celebration with so much care, why not plan our spiritual growth with the same interest?

The Fathers of the Church reflected deeply on this passage. Saint Augustine said that the unjust steward represents all of us. We are stewards of God’s gifts. Everything we have, even our time and strength, belongs to God. One day He will ask us to give an account of how we used them. Augustine said that the steward used money to make friends. We should use our possessions and opportunities to help others and thus make friends in heaven. Saint John Chrysostom said that Jesus wanted to wake us up from our laziness. He said that if a dishonest man can be so quick to save himself, how much more should we be quick to save our souls.

The steward used his mind and his time to prepare for his future on earth. We are invited to use our mind and our time to prepare for eternity. We can use our words to comfort someone, our time to pray, our money to help the poor, and our kindness to make peace. These are the good investments that will never fail.

This lesson is not only for monks or priests. It is for every home. Parents can show the same energy in teaching children to pray as they show in sending them to school. Husbands and wives can be as eager to forgive each other as they are to earn money or buy things. Religious can show the same discipline in their spiritual duties as they show in their daily work. In this way our daily life becomes a place where prudence, love, and faith grow together.

So, Jesus was not admiring the dishonesty of the steward. He was admiring his enthusiasm, his planning, and his sense of urgency. He wants us to have that same spirit, not for worldly gain, but for God’s kingdom. The senior monk in the monastery was right. It is good to play, but far better to serve God with the same joyful heart.

Let us not be lazy in love or slow in doing good. Let us act wisely and joyfully for God, using every moment of our life for His glory.

Lord, give us a heart that is eager and wise to work for heaven with love and joy.

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God Bless…