The Long Put

The economic journalists are getting stirred up about the huge bonuses paid to ultra rich bankers. Their concern is that by the time the consequences of the bankers trading come home to roost, the bonuses are well spent.

I am not too worried about the bankers. There is one contingency that they have not built into their computer models. They will have to give an account to God for what they do with their money.

The Parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-12) is not easy to interpret, but one thing is clear. We will accountable to God for what we do with our material wealth, not just for our spiritual gifts. Jesus adds a further challenge.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48).

The more that people have, the more that God expects of them. I am glad that I do not get a million dollar bonus, because I could not cope with the responsibility that brings.

One day the bankers and deal makers will have to stand before God and give an account of what they have done with all that they were given. All their options will be closed out. Why would anyone envy them.