5. There are many parables by Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (and one in Mark) which use familiar concepts of money and economics in order to teach a deeper, more profound spiritual point. Examples are at Matthew 13:18-23 and 44-46; Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 20:1-16 and 21:33-46; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 12:13-21; Luke 14:15-24; Luke 15:8-10; Luke 16:1-13 and 19-31; Luke 18:9-14; and Luke 19:11-27. Pick one of these parables and explain both the economic point and the deeper spiritual point. Extra credit: why might the Gospel of Matthew have more economic parables than the Gospel of Mark does?
I chose the parable Luke 15:8-10, which explains the story of a woman who lost one of her ten silver coins. You might ask why she searched for it even though it was not worth much, but the scarcity of the coin that the woman had made it more valuable to her. For example, if a rich man lost one of his hundred silver coins it would not be worth the time he would have spent on searching for it. This is a perfect example of how scarcity can change the value of a certain good. The less you have, the more you appreciate what you have. The gospel of Mathew had more economic parables because Mathew was a tax collector before he joined Jesus.
6. "Caveat emptor" or "carpe diem": pick one of these concepts and explain what it means to you.
I particlarly like “carpe diem”, “sieze the day”, because it motivates you to be your best all the time since you might not have the priviladge of existing tomorrow. Never waste a day because you will never again be able to have that day again, for it is lost unless you use the time wisely. Today is a gift and that is second why it is called present.
8. "Money is a good servant, but a poor master." Please explain.
“Money is a good servant, but a poor master” is one of the truths about life. Money is wonderful to have because you can get goods you want with it but you must control yourself so that it will not take advantage of you. It is easy to be controlled by money because it helps one forget fear and sorrow for a period of time, but all your worries will slowly come back. Even though money may seem an innocent good that benefits you, you may be surprised how many people become self absorbed with money and all they think about is a way to get or earn more. Eventually, you will become of servant of money instead of being the master of money. When God is not the center of your life you know that something is wrong and that you had better change your lifestyle or you will fall in trouble later on. Money is like alcohol, the more you have the more you want.