Scripture Text (NRSV)
Luke 12:13-21
12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother
to divide the family inheritance with me."
12:14 But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or
arbitrator over you?"
12:15 And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all
kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of
possessions."
12:16 Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced
abundantly.
12:17 And he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have no
place to store my crops?'
12:18 Then he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and
build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
12:19 And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid
up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'
12:20 But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is
being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will
they be?'
12:21 So it is with those who store up treasures for
themselves but are not rich toward God."
Comments:
What does it mean to be rich toward God? Does it mean sharing with
others which seems like something which the man in the story forgot?
Joy in IL
The gospel of Luke tells not only how Jesus brought good news to the
poor, but also how he sought to save those who were rich. Here he
warns against identifying the worth of one's life with the value of
one's possessions.
Dorothy Sayers once wrote an essay called "The Other Six Deadly Sins."
In that piece she noted there are sins other than sex. Among them was
greed, today's featured sin. In the gospel narratives Jesus seems to
have varying views of money and the marketplace. One time he commended
sharp practices (Lk 16.1-13). Another time he was critical of wealth (Lk
18.18-25). Or Jesus could play it coyly, as he did in the question
regarding taxes (Lk 20.20-26).
About the deadly sin of greed, though, Jesus was quite eloquent. He
told the inheritance seeker that one's life does not consist simply in
the abundance of possessions. Jesus then told a parable about someone
who had a life of wealth but lost his length of life. The question of
abundance and inheritance, on the night of the man's unexpected death,
became moot.
The man had felt he had ample goods and many years to enjoy them. He
smugly paraphrased Ecclesiastes 9.7 by way of self-justification:
Relax, eat, drink, be merry, he crooned, little realizing that his
life was forfeit. The irony is that Isaiah 22.13 was more apposite:
Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
The greedy, self-satisfied man little realized that it was not "well
with his soul," as we sing in "When Peace, Like a River." Soul
satisfaction will not come from the vastness of one's holdings or the
spread of one's estate. Instead, consider the satisfaction the writer
sings of particularly in stanza two:
"Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,/Let this blest
assurance control,/That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate/And
hath shed his own blood for my soul."
Robert Brusic
Only Luke among the canonical Gospels gives the report of quarreling
brothers and the response of Jesus with both direct instruction and
the parable of the rich fool. There is, however, a noncanonical
Gospel, the Gospel of Thomas, which has the conversation of Luke's
verses 13-14, though without context or elaboration (Saying 72), and
separately the parable of the rich fool, though in simpler form
(Saying 63). The subject of coveting arises in Luke because of an
interrupting request by someone in the crowd. Apparently this person
had detected in Jesus a fairness of spirit that would qualify him to
settle a dispute over an inheritance. There were regulations for such
cases (Num 27.1-11; Deut 21.15-17), but at least in the opinion of the
one who is obviously the younger brother, those laws were not being
followed. The ugly dispute is all too familiar: haggling over
furniture, dishes, silverware, house, land, and savings account left
by the deceased. Jesus is asked to be a referee and he refuses; after
all, who can judge whose greed is right? Rather than act as judge,
Jesus states a proverbial truth (v. 15b) and elaborates with a parable
(vv. 16-20), verse 21 being a commentary on the parable. The parable
is not inextricably joined to the context and therefore, like most
parables, is portable to other contexts. However, verses 13-15 do
influence the way the parable is heard.
The parable calls covetousness folly. It could also have said it was a
violation of the law of Moses (Ex 20.17) and of the teachings of the
prophets (Mic 2.2). Even so, it seems to have been a widespread
problem in the church (Rom 1.29; Mk 7.22; Col 3.5; Eph 5.5; 1 Tim
6.10). This craving to hoard not only puts goods in the place of God
(in Pauline theology, covetousness is idolatry, Rom 1.25; Col 3.5) but
is an act of total disregard for the needs of others. The preacher
will want to be careful not to caricature the farmer and thus rob the
story of the power of its realism. There is nothing here of graft or
theft; there is no mistreatment of workers or any criminal act. Sun,
soil, and rain join to make him wealthy. He is careful and
conservative. If he is not unjust, then what is he? He is a fool, says
the parable. He lives completely for himself, he talks to himself, he
plans for himself, he congratulates himself. His sudden death proves
him to have lived as a fool. "For what does it profit a man if he
gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (9.25).
We have known since Mary sang of the reversal of fortunes of the full
and the empty (1.53) that Luke would again and again raise the
seductive and difficult subject of possessions. He will hold up as the
standard for disciples the voluntary sharing of one's goods. This,
says Luke, was the message of John the Baptist (3.10-14) and of Jesus
(6.30; 16.19-31) and was the practice of early Christians (Acts
4.34-37).
Fred B. Craddock
This one really hits home with us, the affluent folks of one of the
wealthiest nations in the world. "The Economy" is (in times of peace)
the issue politicians (and regular folks as well) worry about.
"Consumer confidence" is influenced by national and world events; if
people don't buy that much and "economy is slow", there is mild panic.
The health of this nation (and others as well) is measured in monetary
terms; if we look at the education standard or the fact, that the U.S.
has the most people in a detainment facility per capita in the world
(I got this piece of statistics from somewhere - please correct me if
this is wrong), the U.S. looks pretty sick. There was a commercial for
an investment company with people looking defiantly into the camera
and saying: "I believe in the market. I believe in me." "Money makes
the world go around..." The deity of Mammon has long taken over this
part of the world. We are all entangled in that net, like it or not.
We all worry about salary and living wages, college funds for our
kids, and retirement. This is a really tough one for a preacher; for
money (like many things) can be used for many good purposes. Money in
itself is just another neutral thing. How we use it is the key. Do we
possess it - or does it possess us? I read something in Richard
Swenson's book "The Overload Syndrome", along those lines: Count the
persons and "things" that you would never, ever sell and take money
for in your life, and then you see, how rich you are. Just
brainstorming...
Germanpastor in CA
I liked this story. It is a short called, The Window essay written by
G.W. Target.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man
was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help
drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and
families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military
service, even where they had been on vacation.
And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit
up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the
things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods
where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity
and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans
played on the water while children sailed their model boats.
Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the
rainbow.
Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city
skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window
described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of
the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One
warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Even though he couldn't hear the music, the man on his back could see
it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with
exquisite detail.
His desire for the bed by the window grew into an all-consuming single
thought. It even kept him awake at night. He had to have the bed by
the window.
Days and weeks passed. He was miserable.
Then, in the darkness of one sleepless night, his roommate began to
cough. The fluid had built up in his lungs. He was choking,
desperately groping to find the nurses call button.
The covetous roommate could have easily pushed his button to summon
the nurse so that the man would live. Instead, he watched the old man
die.
The next morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths
only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window. She was
saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the surviving the other man asked if
he could be moved next to the window. At last he would have that which
he felt he so justly deserved. The view out the window.
The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was
comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his
first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of
seeing it for himself.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The moral of this short essay written by George William Target, is
that fulfillment in life is never achieved through the venom of
covetousness.
Nigel+
To Joy in IL
You asked about being "rich toward God. Matthew 6:28-34 and Luke
18:18-30.
To the one who shared the story by George William Target ... wow. I
anticipated the ending to some extent, but it still had an impact.
JG in WI
Thank you for your story, Nigel+.
And yes, I did notice your posts, Mr. Craddock. Thank you for being so
gracious with your marvelous insights.
JG in WI
I once came across the saying "There is no greater sin than to die
rich". Well, a bit of hyperbole maybe, but it really struck me - if we
gain riches, the onus is on us to use them, dispense with them, get
shot of them before we die! Does anyone know the source of that quote?
Many thanks for the story!
PB/UK
Two things: First, Last I had heard Fred Craddock was in the hospital.
So, is this really you Fred?
Second, When my mother got married she was given a few pieces of
Candlewick glassware by Imperial Glass. She hated it since it had all
these little glass balls along the exterior of the pieces. For years I
heard nothing but complaints about this glassware. When I became a
pastor in Bellaire, Ohio where the Imperial Glass Company was located,
it closed. Suddenly this glassware was of great value. My mother began
collecting it, accumulating quite a bit of it. Near the very end of my
mother's life in the hospital she was wondering what I was going to do
with it. What a concern as sick and dying as she was. I did not have
the heart to tell her that I plan on putting it on auction at some
time in the future. I have absolutely no interest in keeping it. It
has no meaning for me. PH in OH
My father is a wealthy man, born poor but got his money by saving
every nickel he could and marrying an equally thrifty woman. His one
desire in life is to leave it all to his children. He's been investing
like a mad fool for decades. In the meantime, he is not enjoying the
fruits of his labor one bit. It's like a millstone around his neck.
With every dip of the stock market he is apoplectic. With every raise
in gas or merchandise costs, he's clutching his chest. His kids are
happy and satisfied with the incomes we live on and want him to enjoy
his life and his privileges, go out with friends, buy a new pair of
PJ's when he needs them, travel. But no. The wealth he has accumulated
has sucked the life out of him. It's the saddest thing I've ever seen.
Charity giving? Ha! Never occured to him to give any of it away except
to his non-needy children some day down the pike. My mother used to
tell him (quoting a play) "You can't take it with you!" He certainly
won't but I wish he'd find a new object of worship (God, perhaps?)
Please don't misunderstand. He's a good man. But he's way too involved
in his possessions. This text resonates with me, big time.
Going to be anonymous this time.
12:19 echoes Koheleth. It is not only the issue of greed (thought that
would make a great sermon by itself), but of stupidity. Here is a rich
land owner complaining.
There is something more to life than relaxing, eating, drinking,
merriment.
What seems to be missing is any relationship with other people and/or
with God.
tom in ga
This can translate to busy schedules, too. It seems the more we have
to do, the more we seem to pile on ourselves (or allow to be piled on
ourselves). We have an abundance of activities, more than any person
really needs.
Last week Jesus taught us how to pray. He took some time away from his
journey to Jerusalem and just communed with God. If our activities and
schedules are keeping us from being in the presence of the Lord, of
what value are they, really? In Barbara Bush-esque language, when we
are at the end of our lives, will we regret not playing one more
tennis game or not joining one more group discussion? Or will we
regret that we did not, like Mary, sit more often at the feet of the
Lord?
This is not just about hoarding wealth. It is also about keeping
ourselves to ourselves, locked away from God, building building bigger
and better ways to keep scheduled (and therefore happy??) while God
waits for us to discover that we cannot create lasting happiness by
ourselves, especially outside of a relationship with him.
And back to last week, thank you for the "I Cannot Say" link.
Excellent. Everyone got a copy in their bulletins and we used it
effectively in the worship service.
KHC
I am fascinated how Jesus wasn't triangled into the dispute between
the brothers.
I am interested in the way Jesus then told the parable to everyone
gathered.
I will be preaching on the Colossian passage, and Epaphras' message to
that congregation to put off idolatry and put on Christ. My title is
"What shall I wear?"
I suspect there will be a difference in the message from Christ to
persons who have because of the greed of society been the accepted
poor, and those in society that have become the affluent.
Today would have been my mother's 88th birthday if she had lived. I'm
wondering, what do we do with the lessons we learn from our parents? I
know of my concepts of mistakes she made, and gifts that she gave to
society, and I could emphasize either ones. I want to practice
accepting the lessons I've learned from my observation of her and the
rest of my ancestors, rather than too much praise or condemnation. I
thank God for my parents!
Shalom bammamma
Guarding against greed, hm, where do we begin in the U.S. at this time
in our history? What does God want me to preach about this passage?
Since 9/11 I have thought a great deal about how much our greed in
using a large percentage of the world's resources plays into the hate
others in the world feel for us. The focus in the papers here after
9/11 was on other sins and not greed however it does seem that greed
is indeed deadly especially for us as a nation. Recently I officiated
at a funeral for my cousin's uncle. There were two brothers and a
sister and their families present. The oldest brother was absent due
to family strife over their parent's inheritance. It was sad that
although all this happened years ago there is still a great deal of
anger and loss of relationship in this family because of money. Two
daughters who are in their early 20s said that if they inherit
anything they are giving it to the other...I was struck by what they
have learned in their short lives about money and its ability to
create conflict. It is definately a subject I am going to give great
thought to all week. I really appreciate the posts so far and look
forward to the "rich" discussion!
Thanks,
JLS in CT
The words "A great many people think they are thinking when they are
merely rearranging their prejudices" comes from William James
(1842-1910).
Fred Craddock, cool I read your book in Local pastor school. How's
things in Canada? You left the UMC, right? If I remember your book
PREACHING!
Some of us didnt agree with some of your stuff in that book...But,
it's nice to meet you here. I have seen your name in Cokesbury at
United.
Clerically Blonde in West Ohio
rw in the mountains~
thank you so much for your post on saturday. yes, i did see it. it
made my day.
God's peace christine at the shore
I believe Eric in OH tried to set the record straight several weeks
ago, but here's the scoop on Fred Craddock, unless things have changed
recently:
"Dr. Fred B. Craddock is Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching
and New Testament, Emeritus, in the Candler School of Theology, Emory
University. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), Dr. Craddock has served pastorates in Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Much sought after as a lecturer, he has delivered the Lyman Beecher
Lectures at Yale, the Scott Lectures at Claremont School of Theology,
the Adams Lectures at Southeastern Baptist Seminary, the Schaff
Lectures at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Cole Lectures at
Vanderbilt, the Westervelt Lectures at Austin Presbyterian Seminary,
the Mullins Lectures at Southern Seminary, and Earl Lectures a Pacific
School of Religion.
Reported in Newsweek as one of America’s top preachers, Mr. Craddock,
reared in rural Tennessee, speaks the folk idiom with prophetic
authenticity."
Type his name in your search bar and you'll see the rest of it for
yourself. I picked one of the available options to copy the above.
Dr Craddock lives in Cherry Log GA where he preaches sometimes.
Methinks someone is posting his and Brusic's commentaries without
permission.
PC in GA
I don't think it's Fred Craddock postin just someone posting his work.
And before OIL gets going,
we all know the pattern of inserting "In Love" and "In Hate" every few
words of a cutting a pasting of the reading, so please spare us that
and feel free to assume that we can do that exercise on our own.
I'd really enjoyed this forum better before all the nonsense and
irritation started.
the following comes from brian stoffregen's exegetical notes at
crossmarks.com
"Usually, if churches are talking about money, it's because they don't
have enough of it. Often when people talk about money, it's because
they would like to have more of it. That's the opposite of why the
Bible usually talks about money. When the Bible talks about money,
it's usually because somebody has or wants too much of it. That's the
case in our Gospel Lesson."
and
"Some years ago, a member gave me the following story, by Florence
Ferrier about a social worker in poverty-stricken Appalachia. It's
called "We Ain't Poor!
The Sheldons were a large family in severe financial distress after a
series of misfortunes. The help they received was not adequate, yet
they managed their meager income with ingenuity -- and without
complaint.
One fall day I visited the Sheldons in the ramshackle rented house
they lived in at the edge of the woods. Despite a painful physical
handicap, Mr. Sheldon had shot and butchered a bear which strayed into
their yard once too often. The meat had been processed into all the
big canning jars they could find or swap for. There would be meat in
their diet even during the worst of the winter when their fuel costs
were high.
Mr. Sheldon offered me a jar of bear meat. I hesitated to accept it,
but the giver met my unspoken resistance firmly. "Now you just have to
take this. We want you to have it. We don't have much, that's a fact;
but we ain't poor!"
I couldn't resist asking, "What's the difference?" His answer proved
unforgettable.
"When you can give something away, even when you don't have much, then
you ain't poor. When you don't feel easy giving something away even if
you got more'n you need, then you're poor, whether you know it or
not."
I accepted and enjoyed their gift and treasured that lesson in living.
In time, I saw it as a spiritual lesson, too. Knowing that all we have
is provided by the Father, it seems ungracious to doubt that our needs
will be met without our clinging to every morsel.
When I feel myself resisting an urge to share what's mine -- or when I
see someone sharing freely from the little he has -- I remember Mr.
Sheldon saying, "We ain't poor!"
God's peace~ christine at the shore
a thanks to whoever it was that posted the link to mlk's sermon on
knocking at midnight. i used quite a bit of it in my sermon today.
God's peace, christine at the shore
The stuff from Fred Craddock comes pretty much word for word from the
Interpretation Series put out by John Knox Press (now Westminster John
Knox). I believe it was written in 1973 orginally...
Niebuhrian in VA
v. 12;20 - I've heard Leonard Sweet speak a number of times about the
future of the Christian church ... every now and then, he'll go (in
the teenage- inflection) "helloooo!"
What is the foolishness? Is it tearing down old barns to make new ones
(couldn't he have made additions?) ... Is it hoarding (rather than
giving away the excess - or even selling it) ... Is it his wealth?
I think it's that he doesn't know, nor has ever considered what his
life is really about. We can prepare and prepare, but Jesus (who many
likened last week to the persistent door-knocker) is now demanding
life ...
Hmmm some thoughts from an exegesis paper I wrote 15 years ago.
Sally
and I'm off to Idaho - ta ta, y'all!
It seems like Jesus's story is saying that we shouldn't confuse
material wealth with spiritual wealth. Our store-house of material
wealth may be huge and "ample" but the balance on the wealth of our
soul is never enough. We can relax about our material wealth, but we
should never be complacent with the wealth of our soul. jw in tx
I don't know if I'm comfortable with that, but that's what I think the
parable means.
I for one would like to believe it is Fred Craddock himself posting on
the sight just like I would like to believe Jesus said everything that
is in the gospels and I never learned about the Jesus seminar and that
methodology Kathleen near Canada
I am embarassed for and saddened by the person(s) that find it
necessary to insult OIL
Can you take a deep breath and overlook these posts and leave him/her
alone?
If we were together in a school yard I would help persuade you bullys
to "grow up and be nice". Thankfully in this digital world I am
constrained to ask nicely.
Please, stop the harassing, debasing, sniping. It reveals your worst
self.
Maxwell
I am a regular reader - but usually on Sat night! Thank you all for
all your insights over the years, yes years. I need some wisdom from
those of you with more experience. This text just happens to come on
the week that we are beginning our capital campaign to build a new
church facility. I didn't plan the date - our stewardship person
ordered the materials and they showed up this week so off we go! I
don't want to push the envelope too far but this text might be overly
"give to the campaign" oriented. Or should I just take this as a "God
thing"?
I welcome ANY input!
Newbie in Northern Arkansas
By the way, I also want to thank expecially Sally, Christine at the
Shore and Eric (wherever you are now - I can't remember off the top of
my head) for all the sermon ideas you have provided! And Bahama Mama -
I look forward to a long time enjoying your insights! You each are a
blessing - since I'm online on a Sunday this time I'm trying to let
you all know what you have meant to me over the years of seminary /
student pastoring while being a mommy too! Newbie in AR again
Maybe it's the closet liberal in me trying to force its way out but I
am always sddened to hear of "capital campaigns" and church building
projects here in the USA.
I do appreciate the stability that a regular meeting house gives a
congregation but until evryone who wants a home has one, and until
every hungry mouth is fed, we are squandering God's money.
Maybe we are expecting the government to take care of those basic
needs (with EBT, welfare/workfare and housing projects)while the fat
and happy church tears down its barns to build new ones.
I also think mega churches will be held highly accountable for the
wasteful spending of millions of dollars on multi-media evangetainment.
~~PC in GA (feeling a weakening in the planks of my soapbox so I'll
step down now)
What are the different kinds of greed? What are the practical ways of
being "rich toward God?" These are my Monday morning questions. PH in
OH
O my goodness! Who needs coffee when you get an amazing startoff:
"Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother ..."
This sounds SOOOOoooOOOOooooOO familiar! We had the appetizer of
Jesus’ disciples telling Jesus to give them permission to nuke the
Samaritans, then we had Martha telling Jesus to tell Mary to get off
her knees and to the kitchen, then we had a warning about the danger
of understanding prayer to be a time to tell God to do what we want
done and now we have someone telling Jesus to tell his brother to
divvie up the family farm a certain way.
Is it me, is it because its Monday or is everybody trying to
domesticate Jesus into playing fetch?
Waking up afresh to the newness of the story,
Storyteller
Hi, everybody. I'm back from vacation and returning to the site after
a long time away (does life ever get too busy-busy-busy for anyone
else? I decided to visit DPS instead of getting bogged down in the
horrible e-mail accumulation. What wonderful nuggets already!
Storyteller, I love that image of people trying to domesticate Jesus!
Thanks. It seems to me that the modern world has continued the effort.
Squeeze him in that box we've made. Make him say what we want him to
be saying. And if he doesn't do that in the written Word, then waffle
or deride the writers......Ooooh. When his words hit too close to
home, we have to do something so they don't "hurt" us, after all. It's
Monday. Lots to think about, yet. Peace! LLPinPC
From LF - - This story comes from "Jacob the Baker: Gentle Wisdom for
a Complicated World" by Noah ben Shea.
A very old woman, rolling her hands over and over as if they were
polishing each other, began talking with Jacob [the local wise man]but
kept looking across her shoulder to see if those around her were
listening.
The crowd sensed this and, out of respect for her age, moved back.
Satisfied with this subtle shift in privacy, she moved even closer to
Jacob and began:
"Listen, young man!" Jacob smiled at the thought. "I want to ask you
something. I heard you talk about dying, and I'm going to die soon. I
have a great deal of money. If you're so smart, why not tell me how I
can take it with me?" The old woman released a wicked little gurgle of
greed.
Jacob just looked at her.
The voice was now more raspy with impatience. "Well? Well? What can be
carried to the other side?"
"Everything of value," answered Jacob, as if this insight was common
knowledge.
Her greed excited, the old woman shouted, "How? How?"
Jacob drew calmer. "In your memory," he answered.
"Memory?" said the woman, dumbstruck at this suggestion. "Memory can't
carry wealth!"
Jacob's focus seized the woman's eye. "That is because you have
already forgotten what is of value."
Bammamma, How fascinating that you brought up your mother and her
birthday. My mother's birthday is this Sunday, and she is turning
sixty. It doesn't seem as old as it once did, but it is disturbing
because her mother died at 55. I also turn thirty in a month, and Mom
is having the most trouble with that. We are getting together from IL
and MS to celebrate and I want to store up as much interaction as
possible.
This gospel speaks to me because we all have things we value and want
to store up as much as possible. I don't think it's wrong to want to
store up memories, but at the same time, am I putting my family before
God? It's definitly possible.
Enough rambling
PBG in IL
PC in GA – You speak of churches squandering God’s money when they
build houses of worship instead of homes for the poor. I hear you –
it’s a disgrace that there is so much wealth and yet so much poverty.
But I believe that there are truly plenty of resources to do both –
perhaps not lavishly but certainly adequately. (Perhaps “rich”
churches could even share with “poor” churches.)
I am reminded of God’s word to the people of Jerusalem as they were
resettling, after the exile. They were neglecting the rebuilding of
the temple, but instead building fine homes for themselves. From
Haggai 1: 3-4: “How is it that it’s the ‘right time’ for you to live
in your fine new homes while the Home, GOD’s Temple, is in ruins?”
(the Message by Eugene Peterson)
More often, the prophets are rebuking the people because of their
neglect or abuse of the poor, to build up their own wealth. In any of
these cases, however, God is trying to turn people away from focus on
their own selves to God & to others – to a right relationship with God
& with neighbors.
We aren’t told how this rich man acquired his wealth – we are only
given a glimpse of what he does with it. The focus is all inward.
Martin Luther used a Latin phrase to describe sin -- “incurvatus in
se” – curved in on ourselves. What a vivid description of sin. When we
focus on “my needs, my problems, my desires, my pain, my things” we
really do become “curved in on ourselves” in our attitude and
behavior. It’s not a healthy place & certainly not where we find joy
or peace or love. We find them when we “open out” and connect with our
Lord and our neighbors.
The body of Christ isn’t to be a company of solo operators doing their
own thing (I just want to worship in my own way – by myself – on my
own, I don’t need church)– it’s to be a living & thriving composite of
interconnected brothers & sisters gathered together in Christ.
It’s Monday. I’m rambling. jg in nj
I have been pondering and/or in denial about preaching this passage
over the last 24 hours. I typically use one word titles for my
sermons, and as I continue to read this, the word that pops in and out
of my consciousness is "extremes." I'm not quite sure how I will tease
this out yet, but it is something I am toying with at this point.
BTW, has anyone noticed that in verse 16, "the land... produced
abundantly" not the rich man produced abundantly.
Grace and Peace, Niebuhrian in VA
PBG in IL No, I don't believe that you are cheating God by building
relationships and memories with your family. As I read it, the good
news is about reconciliation - between God and humankind, between
persons and between humanity and the rest of creation. Reconciliation
is all about being in right relationship with the Other/other. So
building up the relationship between yourself and your Mother is an
expression of the reconiliation of reltionships that our Lord came to
establish. Go to your family in peace. Susan in GA
Excuse the pun, Ben Franklin, but would you have ever imagined how the
pursuits of health, wealth and wisdom would, ultimately, leave us with
none of the above? Today, people are asking, "how much are people
worth?" And the sense of worth is not predicated by those asking on
any theological basis (or so they think). The brother (perhaps younger
brother) in the narrative believes that he has some sense of his
worth—and it's more than the standard law might allow. He wants a more
"fair" split of the inheritance, and comes to Jesus with this request
(v. 14). But this younger brother, like the rich landowner, could
never get enough. Greed has absorbed his life. But greed may have
economic advantages, contributing to the ongoing manufacturing of
economic-capital (ever since Adam Smith). Many so economically-minded
have followed that so-called "wisdom." Truth is, we are also wrapped
up in that economy, and greed is deeply in us all.
The life of building bigger barns has left us self-centered—storing up
treasures for ourselves. But at what cost? At the cost of deluding
(diluting?) our souls into visions of security that wealth can buy (v.
15, 19). Nevertheless, when crisis hits, these manufactured versions
of security leave us bankrupt, and our souls greatly diminished.
The final judgment of foolishness comes from God. "You fool!" may not
be normally acceptable language in a Puritan household; but the
judgment of God calls its like it is (v. 20). Our prospects and
securities have been misplaced, and our hearts have wandered far from
the stable investment in God; indeed, we could not get back to that
fount of security if we so wanted. For all our worldly wisdom, we are
left lacking in the final arbitration of God's reckoning.
If there is wisdom from which we are to benefit, it comes from the One
who calls us "friend," even when we least deserve it (v. 14). The rich
offering of God is the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus
the Christ. He offers us the security of life that comes on the basis
of his merit, and changes the final arbitration of God's reckoning
into a promissory note—not "you fool" (except in the Pauline sense of
being "fools for Christ"), but "you child, embraced by the Father!"
This is God's new economy (from the Greek, oikonomia, "household").
How do we truly get to relax, eat, drink and be merry (v. 19)? It
comes only from the source of new economy generated in Christ.
Trusting in that economy as security-enough is what it truly means to
be "rich toward God" (v. 21). And nothing can take that security from
us. It is God's gift in faith!
Having the prize already, what more do you want? How about the world!
What could be better for the brother in this narrative is to get his
family back, and the whole world with it! The reaches of God's
household are far. But the claim of Christ extends to them as well.
"Whose will they be?" Jesus asks of the treasures that others have
hoarded? They are His, and if His, then ours to steward and ours to
treasure. In the economy of Christ, there is health, wealth, and
wisdom enough to share.
Taking in several threads here--
the person who mentioned that the land produced abundantly and not tne
man has lifted up an important fact. The crop coudl be interpreted as
from God, a blessing that goes against the curse of the land in
Genesis, where the land would never produce at its peak.
The contributor, who mentioned the man's self-centeredness, is on
target, because the man assumes that HE alone produced the crop and HE
alone should reap the benefits. He didn't have any help from anyone.
He doesn't consider anyone. The two brothers aren't considering each
other in the property dispute.
It's no wonder that the farmer is hoarding and storing up for himself,
not considering how the crop could take on a life of its own if it
were used as means of ministering to folks. The possessions in the
parable have taken on a life of their own, however, being elevated to
a status that they don't deserve. They're just possessions, acquired
by someone else, not the two brothers, yet they have been
destructively inserted into what appears to be a fragile relationship.
Still rambling on about this.
Auggie
Storyteller, You hit the nail on the head again. This early in the
week I'm playing with the ideas of the cost of the gospel story and
the tattle tale's reward. Do you have any other pithy observations
that could help? Joyce in Omaha
It's only Monday, and already SO much of worth has been posted. Wow!
There are so many facets to this passage.
In reading just the first verse (13), I am reminded of how many times
families have been at each other's throats because of an inheritance.
It's pathetic. Greed destroys relationships: with friends and family,
and with God, too. I think that is where my focus will be.
I remember my own dear grandmother getting somewhat involved in a
inheritance battle. She and other family members of her generation
bickered about who would get the money from my great-grandfather's
estate. Thankfully, it didn't get too ugly. But it was on the brink!
Wierd thing was, my great-grandfather didn't have all that much money
anyway! Even "good" people can get caught up in greed!
Just rambling on a Monday afternoon, Mel in NE
just a little post: I was on vacation and went to the church where my
mother attends. In the Pastor's sermon were two almost verbatim
comments from this site. I was going to wink at the pastor as we
passed through "the gauntlet" at the end of the service but I just
shook his hand and kept it "our" little secret. God is @ work in this
site Pastor Keg
Thanks Joyce. Good to feel like attention to the story does yield
something helpful to others too! I am still stuck on the "Someone" and
trying to construct him/her in my mind's eye and will begin tracking
down the nature of the "someones" in Luke's gospel. It's only Monday
so I hope i wont preach on just one word. Been known to do that!
Storyteller
Spending our lives in seeking wealth, prosperity,and security (ies),will
leave us empty and foolish. We are treeasured by God through faith in
Christ. It is amazing how many times we hear that when it comes down
to life's basics, the relationships we have are far more imprtant the
the money or possessions we possess (or possess us). Jesus seems to
affirm this, and He goes a step further. The relationship that Christ
brings us connects us to Him and to one another. These are the most
important relationships that we need.
Tom from MO
storyteller and others~
jesus in a box. my senior year in sem a small statue of the
crucifixion appeared in the hall outside the receptionist desk in our
main building. the statue hung on the wall and was about 1-2 feet
tall. at first people actually walked into it because it was a new
thing and people were accustomed to walking through the hall without
looking. then someone placed a small table underneath of it. suddenly
people would stop and look at it. it was a ghastly representation. J's
body was twisted and grotesque, but something about it made people
want to touch it. suddenly there were obvious fingerprints on it.
sometime later a clear plexiglass box appeared over it. so we began to
refer to it as "Jesus in the Box." (the fingerprints also appeared on
the box.)
yes, we like to keep J in a box. except that he doesn't fit in any
closed containers...only open hearts.
and about capital campaigns... this november will be the 89th
anniversary of my congregation. next week when i meet with my church
council i would like to propose beginning a capital campaign entitled:
90 years of God feeding us so that we might feed others. my hope is to
get this small church to raise $9,000 to give away to a gobal,
national (or statewide,) and local cause. don;t know how it will fly,
but i think it has possibilities. pray for me.
God's peace, christine at the shore.
and thanks to all for the compliments... i'm blushing and grateful for
you all as well.
Ha! With my super sleuth crosswalk.com I tracked down Someone in
Luke's gospel (NRSV!)
Here's the deal: Someone is NOT a bad guy! (Jesus responds to him and
calls him "Friend". Given there was a friend reference this past
week's study ... go figure!)
Someone's not a bad guy. Someone's wanna be disciple: Someone is
interested in following Jesus after shutting shop, Someone can cast
out demons without a license,
Someone's not a bad guy. Someone is rich. Someone is distinguished and
when he/she arrives gets us bumped to bad seats so he/she gets seated
in a place of honor at a wedding feast.
Someone is not a bad guy. Someone rocks! Someone plants mustard seeds
that grow into giant trees (no, its not Jack and the beanstalk),
Someone gives huge dinners that nobody comes to, and when Someone
rises from the dead, still no-one believes.
etc etc.
Did you say so???
Well, so friends, I implore you, even though it is all for the sake of
meeting bulletin deadlines and all that other sermon-factory-in-crisis
moments, lets not jump into a premature judgement and think of Jesus'
Someone as greedy or a thoroughly bad egg. Someone is actually pretty
good. Just happens to be in a bit of a predicament. An honest to
goodness predicament. And what better source for advice than Jesus.
Storyteller
Evidence: Exhibit I
Lu 6:47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my
words, and acts on them. Lu 7:25 What then did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing
and live in luxury are in royal palaces. Lu 8:46 - But Jesus said,
"Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me."
Lu 8:49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader's
house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any
longer." Lu 9:49 - John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out
demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not
follow with us." Lu 9:57 - As they were going along the road, someone
said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Lu 12:13 - Someone
in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the
family inheritance with me." Lu 13:19 - It is like a mustard seed that
someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and
the birds of the air made nests in its branches." Lu 13:23 Someone
asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He said to them, Lu 14:8
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down
at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has
been invited by your host; Lu 14:16 Then Jesus said to him, "Someone
gave a great dinner and invited many. Lu 16:30 He said, "No, father
Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
Lu 16:31 He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from
the dead.' " Lu 18:25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom
of God." Lu 22:58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said,
"You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"
Ha! With my super sleuth crosswalk.com I tracked down Someone in
Luke's gospel (NRSV!)
Here's the deal: Someone is NOT a bad guy! (Jesus responds to him and
calls him "Friend". Given there was a friend reference this past
week's study ... go figure!)
Someone's not a bad guy. Someone's wanna be disciple: Someone is
interested in following Jesus after shutting shop, Someone can cast
out demons without a license,
Someone's not a bad guy. Someone is rich. Someone is distinguished and
when he/she arrives gets us bumped to bad seats so he/she gets seated
in a place of honor at a wedding feast.
Someone is not a bad guy. Someone rocks! Someone plants mustard seeds
that grow into giant trees (no, its not Jack and the beanstalk),
Someone gives huge dinners that nobody comes to, and when Someone
rises from the dead, still no-one believes.
etc etc.
Did you say so???
Well, so friends, I implore you, even though it is all for the sake of
meeting bulletin deadlines and all that other sermon-factory-in-crisis
moments, lets not jump into a premature judgement and think of Jesus'
Someone as greedy or a thoroughly bad egg. Someone is actually pretty
good. Just happens to be in a bit of a predicament. An honest to
goodness predicament. And what better source for advice than Jesus.
Storyteller
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to share
his faith with me."
What if this was about faith-sharing and not about money? Would we
hoard that too? Of course not, because we know faith is our lifeblood.
Money is only as valuable as we choose to make it. Faith is what gives
everything its value and its priority. As they say, when God is in his
rightful place in our lives, everything else settles into its rightful
place.
This story sounds a lot like Joseph with the 7 good years of crops,
storing it away for another time. Difference is, his was an unselfish
motive.
This seems to foreshadow Luke 15 with the two brothers and their
inheritance. Perhaps after the party when the elder brother refuses to
share his inheritance with the prodigal? Trekkie
You bet we will hoard our faith-sharing! I am a pastor of a Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation and boy have I been told
(sternly) that Disciples do not share their faith, neither do we do
electronics like screens and projectors, although our brand new dining
hall at camp has one!!! PH in OH
Trekkie Interesting thought! Could be! Accuse me of being a dated
redaction criticism student, but I really dont think Jesus is
addressing this "Someone" (thank you Storyteller!)when he goes on to
talk about greed. That is addressed to "them". Its a different scene.
ph in oh~
your post made me giggle. i didn't know that docs had the corner
market on not sharing their faith. i thought that was a lutheran
thing. i'd be thrilled if i could convince them that we DID need a
web-site. i'm still shocked they let me play music at our second
service from a boom box.
aren't christians funny critters?
God's peace, christine at the shore
I wonder if I would trade what meager assets I have to be 29 again.
Did you have to grind it into us older folk PBG in IL? I do hope your
situation is improving.
PJ
John Wesley is always good to look toward when speaking on wealth. I
have been looking for Wesley's "wealth" at his death. I know he left
just enough to pay the pallbearers, etc. I found this summary of his
thoughts: (1)Gain all you can: develop yourself and the resources
entrusted to you to the greatest possible extent; make the most of
your opportunities. A fair day's work for a fair day's pay (if you are
an employee), and a fair day's pay for a fair day's work (if you are
an employer). (2)Save all you can: live modestly so that you do not
consume all that you produce, and so you can create a surplus which
can be used for further development and provide for your family and
your old age. (3)Give all you can: give to the poor and the
disadvantaged, the sick, the old, all those in need. It is only by
carrying out (a) and (b) that (c) can be achieved.
pastor joe
I think there are different motives for not sharing our wealth vs. not
sharing our faith. In the first case, we hoard our possessions because
we think we may need them someday. We hoard them for security,
operating out of a mindset of scarcity.
But I think many of us Christians hoard our faith out of fear of being
thought of as religious nuts or holy rollers. I haven't seen a whole
lot of Christians just trying to gather up as much faith as they can,
or rejoicing because they have lots a bumper crop of faith. jg in nj
Re: Japanese Lottery ticket story. Joan Kroc (of McDonald's) did the
same sort of thing when the floods hit Fargo/Moorhead a few years ago.
The money was given without her name and put into an angel fund to
help people who had lost everything. Unfortunately, the media and
others just couldn't let it be and did extensive investigations until
they found out it was her. She tried to give without credit but ended
up getting it anyway. L in MN
jg in nj~
did we have lunch together today (mon) or is there another jg in nj? (i
get a kick out of recognizing people on this site.)
christine at the shore
christine at the shore yep jg in nj
My grandparents spent their lives trying to be fair in what they gave
to their daughters; always making sure they gave the same amount to
both. When my grandmother died, my aunt said, she had" A vision from
God that she was supposed to have everything" in my grandmother's
estate, even though her will said quite the contrary. 5 years and 4
lawyers later, all my grandmothers' things were placed in a vacant
lot, and my mom and her sister chose item by item, alternating. It was
such a slap in the face to my grandparents, and so sad. The sad part
too, was my aunt's greed caused her actually to receive less than she
would have if she had left it the way my grandmother had stated in her
will. Instead the lawyers got a large amount. It was such a good
lesson though, that greed actually costs us, and that if we humble
ourselves and don't place our security in money or things, that we
actually can experience God's grace, instead of anger and division. My
aunt lost so much more than just the Things or monetary loss. She lost
her family because of her greed.
Anonymous
Ph in Oh,
I was in Bellaire, Oh. for a short while. At the UP church.
Susan in Wa.
I heard a rather elderly, ordinary, regular pew-sitting christian
preaching in my mother's church a few years ago and he was reflecting
on being retired and the irony of how he can not enjoy the things he
had worked so hard for. Cant enjoy the icecream because of his
diabetes. Cant enjoy the salt because of his high blood pressure. Cant
enjoy the travel bevause of his arthritis. Cant enjoy the kids because
they are grown and busy with their own families. Cant enjoy the
theatre because of he cant hear. Cant enjoy reading because he cant
see. He had spent his time storing up on the wrong treasures!
M&M
How true! It has something to do with such a major focus on the future
we loose out on the present. That is what insatiability/greediness
does: steals from the moment to feed a future that might never come.
Trekkie
Re: John Wesley. William Barclay refers to him in his Daily Study
Bible entry on this text. Wesley earned 30 pounds/dollars, lived on
28, gave away 2. When he earned more, he kept with the 28 for his own
use and gave all the rest away. He owned a plate, a cup, a silver
spoon. He wondered how he could conscienciously own anything more when
others went without food.
For most of us, it seems the more money we make the bigger our needs
get. We think With my raise, I can afford cable TV and a new magazine
subscription. I got along fine without them before, but now I need
them simply because I've got the income to support it.
PJ-- Sorry if I offended you by being 29, but I don't know that you
should give it all up to be 29 again. Part of the issues I have with
my congregation is the huge spread in age, and the fact that I'm the
age of most congregants grandchildren.
Anyway, I've been giving some more thought to the passage, and I agree
that Jesus is addressing money, but I would also agree with other
post-ers that greed can relate to many other things. I figure we're
all storing up something--be it money or time or people. Something
always seems to keep God in second place.
PBG in IL
Comedian Steven Wright deadpans: “You can’t have everything. Where
would you put it?”
Pr.del in IA
I am tired of the guilt. Yes, we all have too much. However, unless we
preachers are about to sell what we have and give it to the poor, we
should be careful what we say from our pulpits Sunday. I personally
have too much stuff to claim anything about that living with less is
better. Frankly, I don't know that from experience.
I believe that issue is not about having earthly possessions, but
where one seeks meaning. The man in the parable is not a fool because
he wants to enjoy life, but because he seems to have given up the
search for meaning altogether. Meaning is to be found through loving
one's neighbor, ie, sharing the wealth, and loving God with one's
whole being. Someday I hope to know this in its full sense.
Honest in NY
ph in oh I once heard Tony campolo say that if he gets to heaven and
there is a projector and screen he is checking out !!!and my Lutheran
people say the same thing about electronics and faith sharing pastor
Keg
KHC I like your thought that this is not just about "stuff" but all
the things that are involved in stewardship. Vanity in Eccl. is
translated as "emptyness".
The man in the story had treasures of the mind to share, visions of a
place where people related to others. Where the works of the Lord were
held reverently. Nancy-Wi
Regarding the post that someone heard a sermon that appeared to
contain items from this site, what is the group's opinion on that as a
whole.
I was taught that it's OK to use material from other people as long as
you say something like, "a modern-day theologian once said...", or "as
one biblical writer put it..."
Something that alerts the lsiterners to the fact that I the preacher
didnt write the quote, that it came from someone else.
If it's a relatively well known person such as The Rev. Dr. Reginald
Fuller, or Fred B Craddock, then I'll say that's who said it.
I like to read the posts here before I start on my sermon. I may not
use anything at all from what I have read, but regardless, it gets my
mind thinking in terms of the text. Lately, I am trying to upload
items of interest that I hope and pray that others here can use.
Your thoughts?
Nigel+
I was just looking at the rich man's comments... "relax, eat, drink,
be merry" usually this phrase is completed with "for tomorrow you may
die." What kind of arrogance is necessary to believe otherwise?
Just letting the existentialist in me creep out....
Niebuhrian in VA
I do know about getting rid of things and living on the minimum and
giving the rest away. I have given away my kitchen table and chairs,
bookshelves, all but 2 cook pans, my storage containers of every size,
a bed, new linens, books, all my craft and hobby supplies, office
equipment and boxes of packaged paper, chairs, blankets, dressers,
rugs, decorations, picture frames, trunks, tables, lamps, dinnerware,
silverware, clothes, a ceiling fan, a desk, an oak secretary, a
computer and a minivan. Everything was in perfect condition. I was not
moving, replacing these with new items, or making any life change
except to change my attitude about what I needed and what was
superfluous. These didn't go to the Goodwill store, but to individuals
I heard through the County Welfare Office needed these items. Somebody
who had no kitchen table can now sit down and eat with her family.
Someone who had to put clothes in a box can now put them into that
antique dresser. A food pantry can now deliver food to shut-ins in
that van. As for myself, now instead of being surrounded by a room
full of material items I have space. Space for God in more ways than
one. I don't have to take care of these things any longer and I can
spend more time with things that truly matter, like my own spiritual
growth. It has been a changing experience for me, and I wouldn't have
those things back for anything now.
I get paid twice a month. I live on one paycheck and find a purpose
for the second one. This has also been an experience of great joy.
Challenging, yes, but amazingly fulfilling.
Have I earned the right to speak to living with less and giving away
more? I'm no saint and don't plan to paint my own story for them, but
I feel I have room to talk about how we can reassess our needs and cut
back in order to share the wealth. Will it make a difference to the
listeners? Maybe not in their own homes, but maybe the church can
start reassessing its mission budget and see how we can fill its
coffers by cutting back somewhere else.
Liberated in Christ
Watching Pres. Clinton last night reminded me of the '92 campaign,
when James Carville focused the attention the Clinton team by posting
the motto on the wall: "IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID." Too often the
church in its self-perceived hyper-spirituality has failed to focus on
the economy -- our resources and what we do with them. Both
individually and corporately, we need to avoid that stupidity, and
remember that we are hybrid creatures -- spirit and flesh, created in
the image of God but fatally touched by our creaturehood. We need to
see our use of our material resources as a lens through which we focus
our spirituality. What we do with what we have is a measure of who we
are and Whose we are. My sermon is on the rich fool, the title "It's
the Economy, Stupid"
As a sports fan, I have listened and read w/interest the comments
about Ricky Williams' retirement at age 27. Most of them revolve
around their shock at his giving up millions and millions of dollars
and the fame. We just can't seem to understand a person that is not
driven by money. While I don't agree with Ricky's lifestyle, I do
applaud him for his willingness to seek that which gives his life true
meaning. Maybe that is something of what Jesus was talking about in
this parable. I also want to tie in the next passage about being
anxious, for I think our quest to find meaning for life in possessions
and wealth, is a primary contributor to our anxiety.
Just some Tuesday thoughts from Tom in TN who is sad to see Eddie go
to Dallas, but it wasn't about the money (wink, wink)
nigel~
one of my sem profs once said if you hear something good "steal it." i
don't think he meant that we should purposefully steal from other's
ideas, but to not be afraid to use something we heard was good. if i
get an idea from something written here then i don't quote it, but if
i say something verbatim (word for word) from someone else i try to
quote that person. of course with all our alias-es here it's harder to
do that.
perhaps if someone posts something that is important enough for them
to share, but they want credit for it that should be stated along with
a way to "be known" to the audience.
pbg~ i'm in my early-mid thirties and a female to boot. so i'm the
youngest person in all my council meetings. i'm still working on the
authority issue and probably will be until i'm much older.
and to all! i don't think it was that the man had wealth; but that he
hoarded it. God blessed him with a bounty, but he did nothing with it,
kept it all for himself. if you are able to give all your excess away
then what a blessing; but not all of us have that spiritual gift. the
question then becomes : how can i keep from hoarding for myself, what
i CAN live without. as a pack-rat... this is a very hard question to
answer. why do i hang on to so much junk i don't need and don't use?
God's peace, christine at the shore
PGB in IL,
"Part of the issues I have with my congregation is the huge spread in
age, and the fact that I'm the age of most congregants grandchildren."
I'm 27 and face similar issues in the congregations I serve. Just
wanted to offer support and encouragement from someone who is there
with you.
Peace, sinclairic
One source I was looking through mentioned that it was Jewish custom
for the older son to receive 2/3 of the inheritance, other sons to
split the rest. The younger son is asking for something that is not
his to ask for, demanding it. The older son says no, it's mine, the
law says so. The older son has more grounds for his refusal to share
than the younger brother has for demanding a larger portion.
Jesus is encouraging the older brother to share out of kindness, not
out of obligation. By telling this parable, he reminds the older
brother that he received without effort (a blessing from the father)
and all he will do with it is stash it away, serving no one.
How much would it take to increase his brother's 1/3 to 1/2? It would
take 1/6 to do that! To lose your kin over that! Better to have little
brother's affection than that small percentage. Better to make Father
proud than to keep what is yours because it's yours.
It's kind of a Spirit of the Law versus Letter of the Law. The law
said brother could keep his 2/3. The spirit of love says share it even
if you are under no legal or moral obligation to do so.
But he also tells the younger brother, by not taking up the argument,
that he should be content with what he has. You father has given you
what you have, and it is enough.
Both are greedy. Neither one wins.
I'm still working with the basics of this text, not getting into the
real meat yet. I'm sure you all will lead me into deeper waters with
your helpful posts.
KHC
christine at the shore
Something in your most recent post caught my eye and snagged a memory.
I, too, am young-ish (early 30s), and female. I serve a TEENY church,
but oddly enough it is composed mostly of folks in their 40s and early
50s, so the age gap isn't the same as in most churches.
... anyway, you said that "authority" is still an issue, or something
to that effect. What I remember from my CPE supervisor was that young
women (and especially those like me who look quite a bit younger than
they are...) can focus on claiming "authenticity" rather than
"authority" -- that somehow it's easier for us to do and for others to
let us do.
Don't know if that means much of anything to you, but I have found it
to be useful when I'm feeling like a young pip speaking of things
beyond my years....
~Squeeze
This site is so important to me, and I am retired. However, I am being
asked to preach more and more. It is interesting going to different
congregations and not having intimate history with them. I am thankful
to God for allowing me to assist clergy who must be away from their
congregation for what ever reason and I’m glad I can be of service.
I come back to the first comment I made on this lection. I’m
fascinated by Jesus’ refusal to get triangled into the “someone in the
crowd” situation. “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over
you"? Sounds like Luke, by putting that incident there was alerting
the early church how they who lived together and share everything in
common, must follow Jesus’ example.
But I find it so tempting, to know all the answers for others. Ha,
keeps me from having to deal with my own family situation. Is that
because I’m a clergy type. Then Jesus shows me that I lead best by
example, and that my best leadership comes from persons experiencing
my humanity. How humbling!
shalom
bammamma
in the second to last line, there should have been a ? after the
"clergy types"
Shalom
bammamma
Most of everything I have found so far is pointing towards the
discussion about priorities and greed. This tells me that I have
started off a bit off topic.
My first questions were not about the parable that Jesus told which
made perfect sense. My first questions were about Jesus asking the
question, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?" This caught
me off guard because my response to Jesus would have been, "Well,
Jesus, you did!" Right hand, left hand, sheep and goats, final
judgement day all points pretty convincingly towards Jesus, in fact,
judging us! So why did he respond in that fashion?
Some thoughts:
1) He could have been making the point that he would not be judging
those earthly matters. Render unto Caesar....
2) He also could have been making the point that he was not there to
do everything for us that we were capable of doing ourselves.... I
prefer working with theory #1 which ultimately takes us right back to
the discussions already posted concerning wealth and greed and
priorities.
<shrug> First timer to this site.
MDHaines
Regarding distribution of wealth, I recently saw a bumper sticker that
read something (a lot less wordy than this): "Wouldn't it be nice if
the churches and the schools had all the money they needed and the
Dept. of Defense had to hold bake sales? SS in MN
MD – that’s where I am being led also – back to the focus on greed. I
went back & reread the text. This time, Jesus’ statement prefacing his
story jumped out at me:
And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of
greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of
possessions."
The squabble over inheritance was an example of greed. The barnbuilder
was an example of greed. I guess greed is a pretty basic flaw in us
humans, all the way back to Adam & Eve – who was lured into disobeying
God by the promise of having no bad consequence (you will not die) and
“being like God.”
What is it that triggers our greed? What lures us into trying to “be
like God”? Being self-sufficient? Status? The desire to impress
others? Substitution of material things in place of the work of
relationships?
And, as one of my preaching professors used to asked, “What is the
good news here?” It IS from the gospel.
jg in nj
PBG in IL -- at 58-1/2 years old, I am rather certain I would not
desire to be 29 again even though I do miss terribly being unable to
accomplish some of the things I did in the past. Isn't the whole issue
in learning to rejoice in what we do have?
It does distress me to see you and some of the other younger female
dps'ers feeling so estranged from your congregations. At the moment we
have a 19 year old female college sophomore hearing the call. I have
been strongly encouraging her as I feel she is an excellent candidate
for the ministry. I also confess having some concerns as I struggle
with a faction in my congregation that is being very difficult to work
with at the moment and recognize that as having been a part of the
church from the beginning. Are we pastors, male or female, young or
old, a lot set apart? Can we, as badly as we want or need to be, a
part of the church family?
Forgive me as I ramble. I do rejoice in the love, support &
encouragement I receive from the larger portion of my congregation.
PJ
Ok ok ok ok! I finally got it. There is a reason there is an
undercurrent on age going on! indeed this text IS ABOUT RETIREMENT!!!
I still dont understand what the guy did wrong! He didnt steal from
nobody and he didnt refuse to give to anybody who asked him. All he
did was plan for a good retirement.
Trekkie
A couple of thoughts -
PBG in IL, I too am a 29 year old pastor. Nothing wrong with that! For
me, I find that being a young woman in ministry is a blessing. People
are suprised to find that I am the pastor. It is disarming in a way
and I think that helps them to open up...
Anyway, despite what some would consider to be my young age, I have
accumulated an abundance of "stuff." I recently was reappointed and
had to move. I was dismayed to find out how much "stuff" I had
accumulated during my fours years in my previous appointment! I had
arrived in a small U-Haul and had to leave in a huge moving truck! I
was tempted to leave it all and start a new, simpler life... but,
alas, my "stuff" has followed me to the new parsonage and is demanding
to be dealt with. I find myself asking, along with the farmer, "What
should I do? I have no place to put my stuff!" (Tearing down the
parsonage and bulding bigger is not an option) I don't know what this
says about my ability to preach this text.....
On another note, I am intrigued with the beginning of the passage when
the someone demands, "Teacher, tell my brother...." How often has that
phrase been repeated throughout history. "Dad, tell my brother to give
me my________" How quick we are to point out when someone else is
doing something wrong or unjust.
SammyBSP
I think you are on the mark. Possessions aren't bad in themselves. But
if they do become more than they are, i.e. total meaning in life, if
they do begin to consume our entire being, if we give our all to their
acquistion, then they can corrupt our lives. You're right. Where is
the meaning in our lives. Possessions can be used to do great things,
create great ministry. Where is our meaning in life? What are we rich
toward (awkward)?
Auggie in TN
Twenty two years ago I was a 29 year old female pastor. Funny, though,
it was never an issue with any of my churches that I was young when
they were not young, or that I was female. It has only become an issue
since moving to this community, and only with some of the male clergy.
I am talked down to, ignored, dismissed and generally not welcome
among them. Everyone else is OK with me being here. More important,
I'm OK with me being here. They can go dip their toes in their vast
pools of male ego and pride, I've got work to do.
Corn Country
I prefer to turn the volume down some when I am reading, because then
I get too tunnelled in my thinking. To my mind, after the church was
formed, whoever the "somebody in the crowd", was (and the response of
Jesus as to Judge and arbitrator), must have stuck with the disciples,
apostles and others as they orally discussed their times with Jesus.
Jesus could have gently said Who made me judge and arbitrator? I
don'tautomatically put the stories together. And then Jesus uses the
"wisdom type" story telling next explaining how to act wisely rather
than foolishly. I think I can greedily wish to be too rich or too
poor. I can also place persons on either end in order to accomplish my
greedy goal. I must constantly listen to the words of Jesus,
constantly repent and be willing to do God's will in my life, whatever
the situation. I've discovered that as a retiree there is a great
difference in economics, lifestyle, choices, etc. God is guiding me
each day, and I am grateful. One gift is this site.
Shalom
bammamma
And he said to THEM, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of
greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of
possessions."
Jesus was not talking only to one brother. Greed comes in many forms.
Hoarding is one. So is lusting after more than you've got.
But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being
demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, WHOSE WILL THEY
BE?'. Can we surmise from this that the barn builder had no children
to leave his wealth to, so upon his death, it would go to the brother
anyway? Or did things work that way back then?
Ah, death, the great equalizer.
I appreciate the comments about giving up STUFF, as I too have just
moved and need to just let go. I'm a packrat, but I'm also a garage
sale shopper, so there's a part of me that says, "easy come, easy go."
Regarding greed, I don't think that it's greed when we plan for the
future. It's greed when we believe that our plan and our big storage
barns are what will ultimately save us and keep us from being lost.
It's the same thing we try to do all the time--make our own salvation
out of something we can see and quantify and own. If I can have it in
this way, then (we believe) it's indeed real. It's never enough, of
course, and since it doesn't quite make us feel all the way ok, we try
to cram more and more in.
My new church is building a new sanctuary, and there is apparently
quite a bit of money here. I do believe they are people who wrestle
with this question, though, and who do seek to be faithful, and I'm
going to approach them as such.
Talk about rambling.
Laura in TX
To all those who have respond, thank you. I'm glad to know I'm not the
only young, struggling, yet oddly content pastor. I only brought up
age to illustrate the fact that I am uncomfortable with getting older
because it means others get older as well, and as much as I wish to be
taken more seriously, I hate the idea of those I love getting older. I
am especially more aware of it as my nine month old daughter changes
from day to day.
The good news I hear echos others comments...our life does not consist
in abundance of possessions. As much as I hoard my time, money, etc.
in an effort to stay young and busy and safe, none of it matters in
the light of God's love. Thank God!
PBG in IL
Thank you for all your fun comments about age!!
