2025/09/21 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Jeremy Kiolbassa, Director of Liturgy & Music
Luke 16:1-13: "The Parable of the Unjust Steward"
Today, the pressure to succeed shapes every aspect of our lives. We are also under constant pressure to “secure our future” with material wealth. Success, according to secular culture, means accumulating the most things, having the best house, or driving the newest car. It is this world that Jesus speaks of in the Parable of the Unjust Steward in this Sunday’s Gospel. It is a story that challenges us to reconsider our approach to wealth, relationships, and success.
The parable presents a steward (a manager) who is about to be fired for mismanaging his master’s assets. Facing a bleak future, the steward acts swiftly to secure his livelihood by reducing the debts owed to his master. He hopes that the debtors will welcome him once he is out of a job. His actions seem questionable, yet Jesus praises the steward for his shrewdness, not for his dishonesty. Through this story, Jesus teaches us a critical lesson about how we use the resources entrusted to us. This parable speaks directly to how we manage not just money, but time, relationships, and influence. These resources often feel fleeting in a world that moves at lightning speed. The steward’s "shrewdness" is not about being morally corrupt, but about making wise, strategic decisions to secure his future. Similarly, we are invited to be strategic with how we use what has been entrusted to us. We must create a life not just for personal gain but in a way that aligns with God’s values. Earthly wealth and success do not always equal wealth in heaven!
Consider how digital technology, social media, and the gig economy shape our lives today. Many of us live in an environment where success is often measured by clicks, likes, followers, and instant feedback. Companies and individuals alike are constantly adjusting their strategies to remain relevant, often sacrificing long-term stability for immediate gains. While the steward’s actions in the parable may seem dishonest, his ability to adapt to a changing reality is what Jesus praises. In the same way, we must ask ourselves: Are we adapting to the world around us with wisdom and discernment, or are we simply chasing after fleeting trends and short-term rewards? For instance, we live in an age where content creation has become a primary source of income for many. People invest in building online personas, promoting products, and cultivating digital lives that promise immediate returns. Yet, the question remains: Are we using our platforms, our voices, and our resources to reflect God’s values and purpose, or are we merely adding to the noise of a culture obsessed with instant gratification?
The steward in the parable thinks ahead. He knows that his job is on the line, and he doesn’t waste time lamenting or dwelling on his failures. Instead, he takes action, using his position to secure his future. In the context of today’s fast-paced world, Jesus calls us to act with long-term vision. We can often become consumed by immediate demands—whether it’s paying bills, meeting deadlines, or fulfilling the expectations of others—but we must constantly ask ourselves, "How does this decision align with my greater purpose? Am I planning for the long-term, or am I just trying to survive the moment?"
Jesus also reminds us in verse 10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” The world today is obsessed with scaling fast and aiming for "big breaks," whether in business or personal achievement. Yet, God calls us to faithfulness in the small things—the day-to-day decisions that may seem insignificant at the time but form the foundation for lasting success and responsibility.
In a time when people can easily chase “viral” moments or shortcuts to success, Jesus asks us to be faithful in the small, everyday choices: how we spend our time, how we treat others, and how we honor our commitments. The decisions we make in our personal and professional lives matter. If we are faithful with the “little” things, God will entrust us with more. Above all, He invites us to evaluate where our true loyalty lies: in the fleeting things of this world or in the eternal riches of God’s Kingdom?