September 21th, 2025 Proper 20
Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13
Julian Whitney
This morning’s Old Testament reading is from the book of Amos who, in an earlier chapter describes himself thus; “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees” (Amos 7:14).
Amos was one of what my grandma would call, ‘good, simple folk’, one who earns an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. His skill (and sophistication) lay in his knowledge of terrain – the lie of the land, and his sense of, feeling for the weather and seasons. He knew when and where to lead cattle and sheep so that they might safely graze. He knew when to prune, to cut the fruit of the sycamore – the fig – so that it would ripen faster.
The fruits of his labour, however, were deliberately undervalued though the sophistry, the deceit of merchants, who metaphorically trampled on the needy and the poor of the land. They would pay him less than a fair value for his crop and then, by making the ephah smaller the shekel heavier sell (on) that crop for more than it was actually worth. As if such trickery weren’t enough they would fill the goods out with the worthless sweepings of wheat.
When it came to the merchants purchasing habits, they bought the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.
And as for their piety? They made great show of their observance of the Sabbath and of the new moon but, in reality wanted to return to the market place with its false balances.
There are conflicting views on (the charity) Christian Aid and the political implications of the projects which it supports so I will simply repeat Amos “The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of (the merchants) deeds” and add that Fair Trade can surely be remembered.
Politics aside, the economics of financing the market(s) are considered in this mornings gospel, taken from Luke, chapter sixteen, which is better known for the conclusion, “You cannot serve God and Mammon” in this morning’s Revised Common Lectionary reading -wealth.
However, the “master commended (praised) the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light…make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.”
It would seem that the marketplace is so corrupt and its debt structures so sophisticatedly complex and deceitful that we should, instead, be devoted to the Father as his son Jesus gave himself for ransom as the one mediator between God and humankind.
Which brings me, thankfully, away from economics and onto Paul’s letter to Timothy, sometimes titled “Prayer for the World.”
In addition to slaves, the poor and the needy, amongst “everyone” is included “kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity”.
Social cohesion throughout the hierarchy is “right and acceptable before God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
I do not imagine that we should be resigned to poverty and unfair trade practices. There are countless teachings and parables about our Lord’s love and compassion for all, especially the vulnerable. We must be aware of deceit, false balances and sophistry and do what is in our own personal power to redress such inequality peaceably, with godliness and (with) dignity so that our Father’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven so that all be saved and (to) come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Amen
