Hustler was a term unfamiliar for me for a long time. But somewhere along the way I too was hustled.  This term should be foreign for believers for it is not a proper and ethical conduct for those who believe in Christ.  We see in the Acts of the Apostles what happened to those who tried to cheat the disciples with their resources. The couple died. Unfortunately for some reason some who claim to be believers of Christ are also engaged in hustling people. Cheating them out of their hard-won resources.  In the first reading we see that some very religious people are okay with rendering lip services to God but have no problem in cheating the scales and selling altered products to the people. In fact, they have no  reservations in buying poor people for a pair of sandals.  Beware of those religious people who give to God with one hand but with the other one they are swindling.  This is blood money not pleasing to God.  Many people want to quiet their conscience by giving more, but perhaps it’s not about giving more it is about being present more to help others with the resources God has given. The second reading says speak the truth in your dealings, don’t lie to take advantage of others.  The apostle Paul gave us a good example of an honorable living.  In his letters he states that even though he deserved a payment for his service, he held a day job. He never had to hustle anybody. Also, St. Paul reminds  everyone should be afforded a life of devotion and dignity.  This is also a calling for those who have people working for their business to have fair wages for their workers. But this also reminds us that however we make money, we must always respect the human dignity of others.  Do not become the cheater who swindles the poor or even family members.   In the Gospel reading, we see the dishonest steward who before going out of work he made sure he had enough to live out of the gratitude of others.  This person had led a whole life of dishonesty. How tiring it must be to continue to keep up the charade? To live always looking over the shoulder without any peace of mind?  This dishonest steward wasn’t about to change the way he lived so he continued cheating until the end. He is commended for securing a deal. But is that how any would like to end their lives? Alone and at the mercy of others.   The reputation of this guy was shot so maybe the people did not help him at all afterwards. Overall, the readings call us to look at our caliber as human beings. A hustler will only end in ruin. A person who cares for others does not need to make emergency arrangements at the end of their lives but will have the support and help of those who were helped. Let’s live a life free from hustling, with clean consciences, knowing everything we have was made with a honest living, and we never had to lose our  dignity as children of the light.