Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
God and Money
This story of the “dishonest manager” is one of the many parables in the Gospel of Luke that focus on how one uses money as a test of faithfulness. These parables can be hard to understand. Often we spiritualize the concepts instead of taking the points literally. These stories are both practical and spiritual, though we often overlook their practical lessons, especially in a world that glorifies prosperity. It is scary to imagine literally giving away all of our possessions and following Jesus.
Luke is clear when he concludes this parable with “You cannot serve both God and wealth” (Luke 16:13). Luke is inviting us to ponder how to serve God faithfully in a world that idolizes money. What does it mean to be faithful and honest and serve God with all of our hearts? How can we live faithfully while also navigating a culture that equates success with financial gain?
In my work at Moravian University, I have sat with many college students as they discern their career path. I’ve heard many say they want meaningful work and then seen them instead prioritize finding high-paying jobs. Capitalism teaches that money equals happiness, and many young adults have internalized this message.
Yet Jesus does not teach against earning money, but against letting it become our master. The parable encourages us to be wise, honest, and faithful with our resources—even if those resources were acquired dishonestly. Reflecting on this, I realize much of the wealth in the United States, even for those who are working very hard to make a living, was originally built on stolen land and gained on the backs of others. In many ways, we are all stewards of “dishonest wealth.”
What does this parable invite us to consider? For me, I need to acknowledge my wealth and be more mindful of God’s call to respond, even financially, in faith, hope, and love.
Jennika Eckhaus, dean for spirituality and inclusion and director of Moravian Church relations for Moravian University