“The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light”
“When Jesus spoke this parable, He certainly had no intention of praising the conduct of the ‘unjust’ steward who, after wasting his master’s goods during his whole stewardship, continued to steal even when he learned that he was to be discharged. However, Jesus did praise him for the clever way he made sure of his own future. The lesson of the parable hinges on this point: ‘The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. And I say to you: Make unto your friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.’ Jesus exhorts the ‘children of light’ not to be less shrewd in providing for their eternal interests than the ‘children of darkness’ are in assuring for themselves the goods of the earth.”[i]
Why did Jesus praise the shrewd servant? He praised him for his prudence and foresight, but not for his injustice; for he adds: The children of this world are wiser than the children of light: that is, the worldly-minded understand better how to obtain temporal goods than do Christians to lay up treasures for themselves in heaven.[ii]
Why is it easier to obtain temporal goods (earthly goods) than it is to obtain spiritual goods (eternal goods)?
Think about obtaining earthly goods; what makes it easy to want them? Advertising, word of mouth, desires that we think we “need” it. Give examples of spiritual advertising. What increases in us the desire and need God?
What makes us able to get earthly goods? Usually this is easy; we just have to have money: cash, credit or check. We need skills and talents for example the shrewd servant was clever.
What makes us able to get spiritual goods? Grace is a participation in the life of God. Grace is free; all we have to do is accept and cooperate with it. Are we asking for Grace? See story of the miraculous medal below. Acts of charity also obtain spiritual goods as money obtains temporal goods.
Story of Our Lady of Grace on the Miraculous Medal (Second Apparition)
On November 27, 1830, Saint Catherine Labouré saw Mary standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole world, but especially France. The times were difficult in France then, especially for the poor who were unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time. France was first to experience many of those troubles which ultimately reached many other parts of the world and are even present today. Streaming from rings on Mary's fingers as she held the globe were many rays of light. Mary explained that the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained that the rays and graces were available but did not come because no one had asked for them.[iii]
Why did the Lord propose this parable? Asks St. Augustine, Not because that servant was a model for us to imitate. Nonetheless, the worldly-wise steward had an eye to the future. So too should the Christian have this determination to secure his eternal reward. If not, the steward puts him to shame.[iv]
What are some examples of “things” that are regularly on your mind, take a lot of your time, and you have a passion for and enjoy? Is it possible to have that same passion for the service of God? There are some things in our life which we focus on more, care about more. These things have our attention, time, desire and energy. For example a person that cares a lot about cars and gets a second job to fix up their car. If this person is not fixing his car, cleaning his car or working to earn more money to spend on his car, he is probably driving his car around to show to people.
What if this same energy and care was put at the service of God? The “things” that we care about can be applied to anything. It could be fitness, money, grades, guys, girls, popularity. There is something about our humanity that gives us the drive to excel and take interest in things. This is why hobbies and interests are so important. It seems that everyone has some type of interest, hobby, group, person that they spend time and energy pursuing. Jesus praises the determination of humanity, and is asking us in this parable to apply that determination to the service of God. At times, it seems as if the children of this world are more resolute in the pursuit of their goals than we Christians. They live as if there existed only what is here below, and they single-mindedly focus their attention on that end.
What sacrifices do people make to improve their life-style? To what length and with what effort do people go to acquire wealth, power or fame? We Christians must put the same amount of zeal into the service of God. We have to make a heroic effort to win Heaven. What zeal men put into their earthly affairs! Dreaming of honors, striving for riches, bent on sensuality! Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged and young and even children: all of them alike. When you and I put the same zeal into the affairs of our soul, then we’ll have a living and working faith. And there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic works.[v]
What physical things can we focus on in service to God? In the material realm, our society should manifest an authentic concern for the needs of the poor that is shown in education, just remuneration[vi], meaningful social security benefits and programs directed for the public welfare. It is the laity who must contend with those issues that relate to the Church’s presence in the world: education, the defense of life, the protection of the environment, the protection of religious liberty, the effective witness of the Christian message in the media. The lay faithful ought to play their full role as citizens in all the legitimate avenues of social development. Christians should make their voice heard. And they should make their just rights prevail.[vii]
What spiritual things can we focus on in the service of God? The chorus of Lift High the Cross says, “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore his sacred name.” Are we as diligent as the shrewd servant to proclaim Christ? Are will willing to proclaim Christ with our thoughts, words and deeds until the whole world adores His sacred name? We cannot shirk from our responsibility. God loves us and we must make this known. Jesus is the world made flesh, love incarnate, so we proclaim the “love of Christ”. We do not give up after we have found this love, or after our family and friends have found this love, we continue to lift high the cross and proclaim the love of Christ until the whole world have found this love.
What can cause us to loose zeal or determination in “winning heaven”? If we have no belief in heaven then heaven will not be our goal, our goal will not be to be with God for all eternity. We will focus only on the things of the earth, the here and now. If we feel like we have already “won heaven” then it is not necessary to have zeal or determination. Just like in a sports game, when a team is far ahead and knows they are going to win they pull out the starters and begin to not care. If we believe that we are already “saved” we can easily loose zeal and determination. If we care more about winning earth than heaven, the things of this world will become a distraction and even an obstacle.
What have been some hobbies, interests, activity, passions in your life that have faded away? Were they worthwhile, did they last? Jesus wants us to have a real interest in his things. This is the only objective that is truly worthwhile. No ideal is comparable to that of serving Christ, of using the talents we have been given as means to that everlasting goodness.
[i] Divine Intimacy
[ii] The Church’s Year
[iii] Association of the Miraculous Medal; amm.org
[iv] In Conversation with God
[v] In Conversation with God
[vi] Payment or compensation received for services or employment.
[vii] In Conversation with God