Saved, not enslaved

SOMEONE once made the following definitions: a neurotic is one who builds castles in the air; a psychotic is one who lives in them; and a psychotherapist is the one who collects the rent from both.

* * *

In today's Gospel (Lk. 16, 1-13), Jesus commends the unjust steward who, like the psychotherapist we mentioned above, is wise in money matters. Yes, some people are good and diligent in making money. We have to give it to them. But, while Jesus commends their astuteness, Jesus questions their honesty. For those reading this article -- those who have made much money -- congratulations! But, is your money good money or filthy money, i.e., money raked in through fraud and deceit? Did you sacrifice your principles, values and even family and friendship in making that money? Did you leave out your God in the process?

* * *

Deeper than the "fiscal crisis" we are facing is the moral crisis that pervades our society today. Values such as honesty, integrity and diligence are now seen as old fashioned and things of the past. Everybody, as in everybody, is out to make money, whatever money, whoever's money, and the end result is that the rich and powerful become richer, and the poor become poorer. The lure of fast, easy money has led so many astray. Our leaders, who talk nationalistic and our leaders who talk holy and altruistic, do just that-talk, while they continue to rake in the poor people's hard earned money. Never have so few have it so good, while so many have it so difficult, as in our present day and time.

* * *

Remember the story of the Greek philosopher Diogenes who went around with a lamp in the broad daylight looking for a good man in Greece? According to rumors, he has been recently seen again going to different countries looking for good men. He was recently seen, according to reports, sitting down in a street corner somewhere in Manila, feeling so dejected. When asked why, he was reported to have said: "I not only had a hard time looking for good men. I even lost my lamp!" Where, oh where, are the good men and women? Where, oh where, are the lamps, the "salt of the earth," the "light of the world" in our land?

* * *

"When in doubt, tell the truth." This is a very good rule that leads to peace. Lying leads to agony in the long run. In the "short run," it may lead to glory but, as you and I know, glory is not forever. People who cover lies will have to cover, and will have to continue to cover many, many more lies. He who tells a lie will have to try to remember all the time what he told.

* * *

Deal with "truth decay" as you would with tooth decay. If your tooth is aching, you don't deny it, you don't sanitize it, you don't rationalize it, you don't postpone it. No, you deal with it, and you deal with it fast and radically. As with tooth decay, the only way you deal with truth decay is to open up.

* * *

For those who are always looking for money, please don't forget God gave you the eyes in the first place. For those who think they are (and in fact are) wise in money matters, please be so wise so as to see that money is not all that matters. And please don't forget that God is bigger than money, and that money is not the be-all and end-all in this life. You wouldn't like to be branded at the end of your life as one who spent a whole lifetime looking for money and all things that money can buy, would you?

* * *

Jose "JY" Campos, the patriarch of United Laboratories, is one guy I know who literally found and put God in the marketplace. People in the business and corporate world and those in government would do well to learn from this man who worked hard to earn good money, and who shared the profits of his company with his people. It is possible to find God and to put God in our search for money if we seek first the Kingdom of God. Yes, let us use money for our salvation, not condemnation. Let us be saved, not enslaved by money.

* * *

Let us not belittle the providence of God. Our God is a God of surprises. One time at the mall, I walked away from a store embarrassed because after I asked the saleslady to wrap a polo shirt I really liked, I found out that I did not have enough money to buy it. Guess what happened next? I met this young couple, and after some pleasantries, the husband just thrust a P1,000-bill in my hand and said "Father Jerry please buy anything you might need or want." Just like that. I suddenly felt the warm embrace of God, and I started to cry deep inside. Yes, God is a God who knows our needs, a God who literally provides; and I was reminded of this in a marketplace where, usually, God is put aside.

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to use money for my salvation, not for my condemnation. Amen.