For GOD’S Sake

September 21, 2025 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm)

Once a promising young entrepreneur was asked about his secret of success in his business. His reply was like this: “I could have profit up to 30 percent from every transaction I make. But usually, I offer my costumers up to 25 percent discount, thus me only gaining at most, five percent. Yes, money-wise, it is bad business. However, I may have less profit from each transaction, but I have gained more business costumers, contacts, and friends, which thus offers me more business transactions and opportunities.” Clever, isn’t it?

Amazing it is how clever, smart or sometimes even shrewd we can be when making business deals. Whether it’s buying a used car or selling a house or setting a building projects and programs, all of us learn how to get the most for our money and investments. This is not something new. It’s part of human nature to get the best deal possible.

And Jesus is all aware of this. The parable he told us about the steward who had to think quick to get himself out of a financial jam, recognized our human resourcefulness, creativity and inventiveness in terms of our dealings with others in this life. The Lord’s point here is that we often demonstrate our intelligence, but we don’t apply this intelligence and shrewdness to the one thing that really matters: our Way of Life as Christian now.

Consider the number of times we have sat down and worked out how we can use our talents, time, and treasure to be better Christians. Consider the number of times we have thought out how we can put ourselves in situations which would avoid moral problems we have had in the past & even now with blatant corruptions & stupidity around.

Consider the number of times we have plotted out how we can implant and improve the practice of our Christian faith in our families, communities & society.  If we were to add up the minutes spent a month doing these for God and our Christian life; and then compare them to the hours a month spent working out our financial deals and business investments, would there be any comparison at all?

Some leaders & people of today, like those in the first reading from the prophet Amos, may have perfected how they can outsmart others. They cheat with their scales. They inflate & launder money, design bogus & ghost projects & stage scams & fake news – or however, you call it nowadays.

BUT, remember that is not why God gives us intelligence. For God endowed us intelligence & grants us opportunities in this life to make His PRESENCE & ACTIONS real in the world. We must make use of the same cleverness, skill, and plain nerve that the manager in the gospel used to save his skin, and the strategy and tactics that businessman used to secure more business contacts and clients, and all other ways and means to make God’s ways real in our world today.

Jesus tells us today in our gospel, “Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world’s goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.” In other words, Jesus is telling us “You have the intelligence, resources and opportunities… use it. Use all these to fulfill the mission you assumed and accepted when I called you to be my disciples. Be SMART FOR Me, then .”

We thus must make use of our talents, money, and time not as an end but a means in attaining life worthy of God, and in sharing from God’s benefits given us through Christ. We must be as resourceful, and dedicated in the ways of God as we are in the ways of commerce, politics, governance, social relations, and public service.

In other words, Jesus’ parable challenges us to be SMART FOR GOD’S SAKE, that is – to be as eager, clever, and ingenious for the sake of God’s kingdom; to be as ready and willing to use our talents, time, and resources to accomplish great things for the Gospels as we are to witness & prosper in our Christian faith & lifestyle.

However, to those who are smart enough to use their intelligence & opportunities for their own personal sake & able to outsmart, corrupt & abuse others & God’s blessings, need not to remind you what Jesus warns us: “(cursed) Woe to you who are rich for you are receiving your comfort in full… to you who are well-fed now, for you will be hungry… to you who laugh now, for you will mourn & weep… to you when people speak well, for their fathers used to treat false prophets the same way”(Lk 6:24-26).

Be reminded what our Lord also said: “If much has been given to you, much will be demanded; more will be expected of one to whom more has been entrusted” (Lk 12:48), as Scripture has it as well, “The most severe judgment will be set aside for those in high places”. (Wisdom 6:6)

And so again, in whatever & however circumstances we find ourselves now & in the near future,  FOR GOD’S SAKE (beyond our own), may the Lord ever help us develop more our ingenuity, intelligence, and creativity to promote His Kingdom (not our own) here on earth and in our world to Come now & always.

Hinaut pa unta. So May It Be. Amen.