January 17, 2009

Beware of Covetousness

“Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. "And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ "So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ‘And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, [and] be merry."’ "But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ "So [is] he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."” (Luke 12:13-21 NKJV)

We live in an affluent society. Not to minimize the struggles of our poor, but even they have it better than in most places in the world. The point is our lives rarely feel hunger or want of basic needs.

The advantage we have can give us a false sense of security like this man in the parable. He thought he had many years of ease because his barns were full of food. However, as we read, he had only a few hours before he was to meet his Creator, and this he was ill prepared to do.

I hear so many people complain about time. I don’t have time to do this or that is the constant mantra. Don’t be caught short on time because you are filling barns with goods you will have to leave for others. Fill your spiritual barn with spiritual fruit. Then when it comes time for you to cross the river, you won’t be washed away with the things of this world. Amen.