VOICE OF THE LOGOS (15): REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I

Many people treat faith like a business deal – giving to God with the expectation of getting something in return. Whether it’s dropping money in the offering basket, fasting, or acts of charity, there’s often a hidden hope: If I do this, God will bless me more. But is that really how God works? This transactional mindset is deeply rooted in many religious practices, where people measure faithfulness by how much they can “invest” in God for a guaranteed return. It explains why some individuals will give millions during a so-called “prophetic moment” but may hesitate to contribute when the Church or anyone has an urgent financial need. The motivation is different: one is perceived as an exchange with God, the other as mere generosity with no immediate visible return. This practice has become especially common in places like Nigeria and many other parts of the world, where Christianity is often entangled with materialism. People rush to places where they believe their money will be “blessed” or multiplied through a prophecy rather than giving out of genuine love for God. A man may sow a “dangerous seed” for breakthrough at a crusade but refuse to support an orphanage or a hospital in need. The underlying belief is not one of faith but of spiritual gambling: placing bets on God, expecting a jackpot.

The First Reading (Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15) directly confronts this corrupted idea of sacrifice. The passage emphasizes that God is not a businessman waiting for the highest bidder but a righteous judge who values justice, obedience, and sincere worship. It teaches that keeping the commandments, acting with integrity, and helping the poor are far more valuable than burnt offerings. The passage states that “the Lord is one who repays, and He will give back sevenfold,” but this does not mean divine reward follows a rigid formula of financial sowing and reaping. Sirach clarifies that the kind of sacrifice God honours is one that stems from righteousness, not manipulation. Unlike the prosperity-based faith many have embraced, true sacrifice is an act of love and devotion, not a means to twist God’s hand.

The Responsorial Psalm (50) bolsters this by dismantling the illusion that God needs our offerings. “I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices… I own every animal of the forest.” If God already owns everything, what value does our money, fasting, or offering hold? The answer lies in the psalm’s conclusion: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.” God is not moved by the amount we give but by the disposition of our hearts. Those who give with a mindset of trading with God may gain temporary prosperity but miss out on the deeper blessing of true communion with Him. The psalm warns that faith devoid of genuine devotion turns worship into an empty ritual.

The Gospel reading, Mark 10:28-31, further exposes the reality of true sacrifice. Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, reminds Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him. In response, Jesus assures them that those who sacrifice for the Kingdom will receive blessings in this life and in the life to come. However, He inserts a difficult truth: “with persecutions.” This is where many who practice transactional faith fall apart. The expectation is that sacrifice leads to an easy life filled with material rewards, but Jesus warns that true discipleship involves suffering. Those who genuinely give up things for God may not always see instant success but are assured of something far greater—eternal life. The final statement, “Many who are first will be last, and the last first,” is a direct rebuke to those who think they can buy divine favour. Those who parade their giving for public recognition might find themselves spiritually bankrupt in the end, while those who quietly serve God with sincerity will inherit the greatest reward.

The implications of these readings are crucial. Faith should never be reduced to a spiritual investment scheme. Many people treat God like a supernatural ATM: depositing prayers, money, and fasting, expecting guaranteed withdrawals of wealth and success. But this is not true Christianity. The danger in such a mindset is that when expected blessings do not come, faith collapses. How many people have walked away from God because their “seed offering” did not yield the financial breakthrough they expected? True faith does not demand an immediate return; it trusts in God’s will, whether He gives or withholds.

Dear friends in Christ, a deeper reflection on these readings calls for a personal examination of why we give. Do we serve God out of love, or are we secretly hoping to gain something in return? Are we more willing to give in moments that promise a direct prophetic word but hesitant when the Church or the poor are in need? True sacrifice comes without conditions – it is an offering of our hearts, not just our wallets. Those who understand this will no longer measure their faith by material blessings but by a deepening relationship with God, even when it requires suffering.