Ethical standards are highly commendable for one’s health and that of others. The principle of loving others as oneself facilitates the achievement of goals that enhance environmental conditions. The beauty of ethical living lies in its voluntary nature; it is not enforced. In contrast to moral codes, ethical standards are self-imposed. Individuals consult their inner conscience to determine what they deem right. This explains the presence of good people even among nonbelievers. Fundamentally, humans are good but can be prone to evil when swayed by environmental influences, which is why group dynamics can be detrimental.
Interactions with others can strengthen a person’s character or deteriorate their ethical stance. Moreover, it requires an ethical individual to sway an environment towards ethicality. Trendsetters are often characterized by their self-determination. Individuals who prioritize ethics are different from those who measure success purely by accumulating wealth. There cannot be an endurable life without ethics. True success is defined by achievements that positively affect the lives of others, rather than improving conditions for oneself alone. A person’s success should be measured by their ability to help others achieve their own levels of success.
Those accessing wealth through corrupt means can be defined as rich, but poor people. Those who are equally poor can admire such people, but such considered rich but corrupt, would be as poor as those in their surroundings. True wealth is a spiritual condition that acknowledges the viewpoint of adding value to other people. The notion of displaying wealth without evidence of its legitimate acquisition stems from flawed reasoning. Those who do so may be wealthy, yet they would be arguably worse off than those considered impoverished.
Jesus’ wealth is incomparable to any worldly wealth ever amassed. It is a wealth that endures eternally, compared to temporary possessions. Many in His audience struggled to grasp the notion of spiritual riches. Yet, despite being esteemed for their material wealth, they passed away with it. This remains true for those who boast of their riches today. Worldly wealth is akin to a fire fuelled by paper; it burns brightly but fleetingly. True wealth endures through the impact one makes on the lives of others, rather than placing too much emphasis on oneself.
He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’
“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:1-13 NKJV).
A detailed examination of the parable in question is essential. Jesus does not approve of the dishonest manager’s actions, nor does He justify the reasons for his dismissal. Instead, he aimed to impart a lesson to His listeners, who failed to understand that wealth is measured more by one’s actions towards others than by self-interest. Jesus ends with a significant admonition: “And I tell you, make use of worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you may be welcomed into eternal homes.” This underscores the notion that genuine wealth is measured by the impact we make on the lives of others.
His message targets the immensely wealthy, rather than those aspiring to be Christians. They face a choice: to hoard their wealth until death or to distribute it among the poor, who will then regard them highly for their generosity. The high regard accorded by those in his surroundings is a testament to the lasting character of that person’s wealth. Flaunting unshared wealth does not reflect one’s true riches. Ultimately, a billionaire surrounded by poor people might be deemed a poor billionaire at heart. The worth of one’s life is often gauged by their contributions to others rather than what one receives, solely for themselves.
This idea can be illustrated by an example of a farmer with an orchard of fruit trees. Some trees may appear healthy and vibrant yet yield no fruit, while others may be less visually appealing but produce fruits. The farmer would naturally value the productive trees over the mere ornamental ones. Even after potentially investing significant resources into nurturing barren fruit trees, they may still fail to bear fruit. In such cases, the farmer’s sole option might be to substitute the old plants with new ones, hoping for a plentiful harvest that yields a return on their investment.
This refers to those who accumulate wealth solely for themselves, perhaps for showy reasons. Despite their opulent appearance, which may impress others of modest means, they are akin to a fruit plant that seems thriving yet bears no fruit. Such individuals are on the brink of ruin, much like a barren plant that must be removed to make room for those that yield produce. The idea that introversion originates from pride is frequently linked to the archetype of Satan, renowned for his deceptive skills. This link fosters the erroneous belief that oppressing others for one’s own gain is beneficial. Sometimes, those who are ill-informed may even admire such characters.
The significance of Christianity is unparalleled, offering the promise of eternity. The essential aim of our existence is to contribute positively to the productivity of others. We should regard their failures as ours, instead of feeling superior. Humans are God’s most precious creation, for whom Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross. He did not sacrifice for animals, gold, or worldly treasures. One’s existence is meaningless if it doesn’t contribute positively to the lives of others.
Jesus taught His disciples a method of giving to the needy that negates the need for recognition. This method maintains the anonymity of the donors, guaranteeing that they do not receive gratitude from those who benefit from their kindness. However, this may not be acceptable to those motivated to give by the desire for appreciation and respect. It implies that receiving gratitude after performing good deeds nullifies the act of giving. The accolades received negate the charitable actions, equating the givers with the recipients and rendering them ineligible for eternal rewards.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV).
Even though it might not be widely accepted in this world, this type of giving remains the unique principle. It sets apart those considered righteous on the Day of Judgment. In this life, they would not have been regarded as celebrities or heroes, necessarily. Jesus highlighted this point when he spoke about what Judgment Day would entail. The righteous, he said, would be oblivious to their virtuous acts, as they had garnered no acclaim for them. By worldly standards, they would have appeared average, unaware that their steadfast good conduct held immense value.
The individuals referred to as having anonymously met the needs of the Lord’s brothers would not have been acknowledged as the Lord’s brothers themselves. They seem to have been consistent benefactors, impacting lives positively. Their reward would come without their knowledge of serving the Lord. The parable of the shrewd manager was not presented to His disciples, suggesting that Jesus was advocating a conduct that identifies with the general populace. This is similar to how the parable of the Good Samaritan was not aimed at His disciples.
The disciples were explicitly taught to give without expecting anything in return; adhering to those teachings unquestioningly as His followers. In instances where Jesus employed parables, He was not speaking to His disciples, with whom He communicated plainly. Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are specific Scriptures where Jesus exclusively addressed His disciples directly, without using parables. He was not addressing the general public. Yet, as illustrated in Matthew 25:32-40, those being honoured are innate philanthropists, who embrace strangers and assist the needy.
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:32-40 NKJV).
The individuals on His right would typically be conducting their generosity anonymously. Their acts of kindness would have gone unrewarded because of their ethical conduct. Their giving would be ethically motivated by an inherent principle. They would be much like the Good Samaritan who aided an injured stranger without being directed by anyone. While Jesus’ disciples follow his teachings explicitly, these individuals perform acts of charity based on principle. They uphold their ethical conduct without anticipating any reward.
True love does not hinge on receiving gratitude for kind acts. The true value of impacting others’ lives doesn’t rest on the anticipation of earthly rewards. The absence of acknowledgement causes many to halt their praiseworthy deeds. However, it’s the steadfast individuals who continue to contribute positively without recompense. The act of selfless giving can be a source of enduring joy. This reflects the nature of someone who is widely regarded as ethical. One can embody virtuous behaviour without subscribing to Christianity. Ethical living is not confined to any single faith.
All humans are perceived as potential descendants of the divine. Individuals with a flawed character often seek acknowledgement in this life, which can lead to corruption. Each person harbours both virtuous and malevolent tendencies. Some are naturally inclined towards virtuous actions, while others are more prone to commit malevolent acts. Ethical individuals are commonly not driven by a desire to be acknowledged for their goodness. However, the unethical ones often act with corrupt motives and would, actually, advertise their good actions. Adopting ethical principles in life is not necessarily tied to religious goals; rather, it mirrors one’s integrity.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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