One's Life Isn't Determined By One's Possessions

"After all...", says Jesus.

For a moment, consider this man’s request to Jesus as a matter of prayer. Thought of in this way, Jesus’ response is important. Jesus is not a vending machine. Yes, in just the last chapter of Luke that we read last week, Jesus said, Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened. But that does not mean that he acts however we choose or tell him to, outside of who he is and why the Father sent him.

It’s interesting because this man’s request is perhaps well within the Law and cultural expectations or practice. But Jesus looks deeper and uses it to remind everyone listening that desires for more, more, more in life are perilous.

Using the parable of the rich man and his big barns, Jesus launches into those powerful admonitions that lead to one of the better known verses in Luke: …desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. But take note that “these things” are the essentials of life - food, drink, warmth (and even, if you can see this interpretation - the appreciation of beauty or personal aesthetics).

In the midst of it, Jesus makes a universal statement concerning humanity (“all of the nations”). It’s human to desire more, to long for security. (And to worry about all of it.)

Jesus came to help us separate these things, to restore us to God’s creation in the first place. To teach us that what is good and valuable and worthy of pursuit is actually much simpler than our hearts may be led to desire.

The question is not whether we desire, but what we are allowing to shape our desires.

…and whether we trust that what God provides is actually enough.

Luke 12:13-31

Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me as judge or referee between you and your brother?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” Then he told them a parable: “A certain rich man’s land produced a bountiful crop. He said to himself, What will I do? I have no place to store my harvest! Then he thought, Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That’s where I’ll store all my grain and goods. I’ll say to myself, You have stored up plenty of goods, enough for several years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. But God said to him, ‘Fool, tonight you will die. Now who will get the things you have prepared for yourself?’ This is the way it will be for those who hoard things for themselves and aren’t rich toward God.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. There is more to life than food and more to the body than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither plant nor harvest, they have no silo or barn, yet God feeds them. You are worth so much more than birds! Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? If you can’t do such a small thing, why worry about the rest? Notice how the lilies grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, how much more will God do for you, you people of weak faith! Don’t chase after what you will eat and what you will drink. Stop worrying. All the nations of the world long for these things. Your Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.

Prayer

God,

I actually think I’ve come a long way in my desires for the world. I’ve never really wanted fancy cars. When I escape for restoration, a drive through the mountains and around a lake or the beach is truly restorative for me. The company of my wife and family is much more attractive than hanging out with prestige or fame. I’ll take jeans, t-shirt, and a comfy hoodie over anything else to wear (I guess I do like my rather expensive LL Bean slippers…). My only jewelry is designed quite simply to honor my wife and you (my cross hangs on a mere shoe string!).

But here I go listing things as if I have it all figured out.

I think my desires that feel lacking are what I can control, God. Or rather, what I cannot control. My friend the psychologist often reminds us that having more people in our lives is the ultimate risk. And he’s so right. A spouse, children, parents, friends…I can’t control everything for them. And this is what is difficult and has been particularly difficult for me, especially lately.

It’s the phenomenal existence of the risk that comes with loving others coupled with their own ability to choose…this is what is taxing.

Huh…I guess what I’m really describing is something you know better than anyone as Creator and Father. So God, give me the perspective you have. The long-standing love you have. The sacrifice you’ve demonstrated and given…help me to live into it.

And to trust that you are enough.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.