wealth as God
07 August 2015
Bowie offers that as commentary on the parable of the dishonest manager, which is at the beginning of Luke 16. Jesus tells the story of a manager who has been caught embezzling his employer’s money. He notes how the manager craftily thinks on his feet to make sure that after he’s fired, he will earn enough good will to prevent his becoming destitute. Jesus asks, “If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (v. 11). He sums up, “You cannot serve God and wealth” (v. 13).
“Mammon” was originally the god of property. It morphed into a term for affluence when it is idolized. And if there were ever a people who idolize affluence, it would be we Americans. That’s especially highlighted during Advent—I mean, during the shopping days before Christmas.
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