One Must Pay Their Debts

The kingdom of mammon may be compared to a nation which wished to settle accounts. A bank was brought which owed hundreds of millions of dollars and as it could not pay, it was ordered that the business be sold, with its owners homes and servants and all that they had, and payment to be made. So they publicly fell on their knees, imploring, `Have patience with us, and we will pay you back everything.’ And they forgave them the debt. But that same bank, came upon one of its debtors who owed it a thousand dollars; and seizing him by the throat it said, `Pay what you owe.’ So the debtor fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ It refused and took his home, his possessions, and left his family destitute. Then the government summoned the bank and said to it, `You righteous servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me, donated to my campaigns, provided me lucrative jobs and kickbacks; but you should not have mercy on your debtors because they have mismanaged their accounts and one must pay their debts.’ – Parable found in Gospel of Mammon

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