Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
I Want!
This lesson begins with a man who told Jesus, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me. Jesus immediately took exception to this request, asking why this person thought that Jesus should be a judge or arbitrator for him. “Take care! Be on your guard against any kind of greed; for one’s life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Have you ever had a case of what I call the “I wants”? It happens to me every once in a while. Wanting to win the lottery, wanting to have new clothes, wanting to buy new appliances (just because I want them, not because I need to replace broken ones). This is greed raising its ugly head, and I tell it to go away!
Jesus tells a parable of a rich man. His land produced abundantly. The man said to himself, “I do not have room for all my crops. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I can store all my grain and my goods. I can then eat, drink, and be merry.” This sounds great, but is it really? At this point in the story, I can’t help but think of noblesse oblige, the principle that from those to whom much is given, much is required. The story continues with God telling the man he is a fool, since on that night his life is being demanded! God asks what becomes of all the riches he has amassed for himself.
We do not know when fire, destruction, or death will come. Isn’t it better to make a plan now to share what you have with those who need it? What good is it to have lots of money, lots of food, lots of clothing, and so on? You can wear only one outfit at a time, eat one meal at a time. Giving food to the food bank, clothing to the clothing bank, plastics for recycling are all good ways to pay it forward. Give money to the church to support all the many tasks the church supports. God loved us first—let us show our love for God in our love for our neighbors.
Martha Griffis, Central Moravian Church
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania