How to make use of Mammon

Of the right use of Riches. The unjust Steward.

(The Gospel History, Section 111)

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles. He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your
 own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold 
to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

How to make use of Mammon

(The Saviour of the World, Vol VII Book I Poem II)

As one who looks from out a tower of peace
As raging lie below, and desperate men
Whom he would rescue catch they the rope
He throws to save—watches with anguished hope
Their struggles, reaching for the saving rope
Their futile efforts, now supreme despair,—
So Christ looked out on these, the men beloved
To whom He cast salvation urgently
Would they but seize!

“My children, see ye not condemned,
More in thee late than negligence,
Dishonesty and greed? Ye chide yourselves
For these be your offenses; ye do well.
But there is more; the men had wit to find
A way of help; concerns us not to note
Just how, if his way were right; he used his mind;
Behold text set for imitation!
There are who cry, all wealth’s a snare to man
E’en the common wealth of daily bread,
And later them to the wilderness to lack:
Used they their minds, that first intelligence
Your Father gives to men, they would perceive
That wealth and happiness, bread sought more,
May serve a man as steps on the ladder set
From earth to heaven.

Wherefore make your friends
Of whatso wealth of opportunity
Lies in your way. Let it not be wasted,
Squandered in revelry, let rust in sloth:
Consider what good service ye may yield
To your beneficent Lord for every trust
Offering a substance in your hands. Behold,
The Mammon of unrighteousness, maligning—
The foe men fall before as clean cut sheaves
Before the reaper’s sickle—is transformed,
Become a friend to him knows to take thought—
And use as servant him who would pose as lord,
When fortune fails, when life is running low,
So have ye friends awaiting you elsewhere,
In th’ eternal habitations! Prudence smiles,
Justice bids welcome, generous love extends
A hand of greeting. Gratitude bestows
Her reverent kiss upon the very hem
Of th’ robe you wear; Faithfulness, meek of eye
Makes room for you beside her, faithful found!

All men have riches; one may set aside
This instrument mens’ souls try skill upon;
Riches, that which ye have, is for a dutiful use,
But little have ye; use to good effect,
And, lot, fit servants ye, in your Lord’s house
Should he with much entrust you; but the man
Unfaithful in a little, how much more
Unfaithful he with lavish wealth endowed!
Money and place and power—these he trusts too
Tho’ unrighteous mammon claim them; verily,
Who fails in these trusts, he shall not succeed
In husbanding and dealing out that wealth
Of love, joy, peace, good will, the currency
Of God’s kingdom.
We as the livery of God, proclaim his work
that men may see, and all the separate joy
Men seek of mammon, as truth ye blow aside!
The two ye cannot serve; how, then, give thought
Obsequious service adulation, praise,
To Mammon when God’s service waits for you?

St. Luke xvi. 9-13