Today's Gospel in Art - You cannot be the slave both of God and money

Money Map of the World, by Justine Smith, 2013, © 2019 Justine Smith. All rights reserved

Gospel of 22nd September 2019 - Luke 16: 10-13

Jesus said to his disciples: 'The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

'No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.'

Reflection on the Collage

In our Gospel reading of today, Jesus is telling us in very clear terms to use the money and possessions we have in this world to make an eternal impact in the lives of others. Yes, the reading today does make us uncomfortable at first, as here in the West, we are all comparatively well off compared to the poorer parts in the world. We hear Our Lord clearly calling us to prioritise our spending, money and possessions to help others and demonstrate our faith. This Gospel passage warns us that if we are not faithful in this life with the things of this world and the riches we have been given, then we will not be faithful with the true riches promised to us in heaven.

As Christians, we must show our faith in Our Good Lord also in the area of our finances, money, and possessions. We must show the world around us that we consider God more than anything else. Easier said than done, I agree. A hard thing to do. Today's artwork shows a money map of the world; literally, the world is covered by money, all in local currencies, all facing their own issues and struggles with money and market economics...... To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/181