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Riches in God’s Kingdom

Updated: Nov 27, 2018

November 19, 2018


Scripture: Luke 12:13-26

“Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases.

For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them.

Psalm 49:16-17 (NRSV)

In relating the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-26), Jesus takes issue with the greed shown by the landowner, who wanted to tear down his storage bins and build larger ones. In his haste to hold on to what he had, a bumper crop, the landowner became a fool altogether by leaving God out of his thinking and reasoning. He wanted it all for himself. Most of us understand that God is the source of all that we have, and, Jesus placed emphasis on God’s providence as the scripture continues in the Sermon on the Mount. The words of this sermon from Jesus offer great comfort, regardless of our circumstance, mood, or immediate needs. We constantly seek to reduce our anxiety. Jesus tell us that though our faith, we are able to gain a new attitude of thankfulness, especially as it relates to our material possessions.

This brings to mind a Spanish proverb that says, “A shroud (for burial) has no pockets.” Perhaps, it is modeled on the Psalm excerpt above. They both are stark assessments of our facing death and judgement, which was certainly the case for the Rich Fool.

The psalmist and Jesus tell us that every aspect of our living must include God. We know that we did not come into this world of our own accord. And, God abides with us throughout our existence. These scriptures tell us that God calls us to live in gratitude and thanksgiving for the life that we have, and always will have, in Christ.

Stan Reid







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