The Paradox of Abundance
Gospel Reflection for October 21, 2024
“13Now one out of the crowd said to him, ‘Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ 14But he said to him, ‘Man, who has appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ 15And he said to them, ‘Take heed and guard yourselves from all covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ 16But he spoke a parable to them, saying, ‘The land of a certain rich man brought forth abundant crops. 17And he began to take thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, for I have no room to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down by barns and build larger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, though hast many good things laid up for many years; take thy ease, eat, drink, be merry. 20But God said to him, ‘Thou fool, this night do they demand thy soul of thee; and the things that thou hast provided, whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich as regards God.’” (Lk 12:13-21 CB)
Sometimes a greater truth is revealed through contradiction. In verse 13 of this passage of Luke’s gospel Christ is immediately met with the question of rightful inheritance. Christ’s response is thought provoking in that it insinuates the vast difference in the understanding of God’s ways vs. man’s ways of understanding the importance of earthly possessions, when He asks in verse 14, “Man, who has appointed me judge or arbitrator over you?” It will be this concept that underlies the theme of the entire passage. So, “Man,” is thus faced with a seeming contradiction: how can a rich man still be poor? The masses listening to Christ are still after all, thinking within the parameters of Old Covenant mentality (deontological) where material wealth and abundance were signs of being in God’s favor. But Christ steers the focus towards the disposition of the internal man as seen here in verse 15: “Take heed and guard yourselves from all covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Indeed, our earthly lives are important and need tending to, but Christ is subtly reminding them that true life extends beyond the temporal. Christ’s message is thus teleological focusing on man’s internal disposition with ends in Christ. And although they call him “Master,” who Christ really is, is in the process of being revealed to them.
Ideas of comfort, abundance, and security are all being addressed in this chapter of Luke’s gospel. But have these things replaced God within the souls of man? The parable of rich landowner/merchant within this gospel warns of what is known as avarice. Avarice or covetousness as we know, is a deadly sin. Christ, speaking on behalf of His Father in the parable warns, 20“‘Thou fool, this night do they demand thy soul of thee; and the things that thou hast provided, whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich as regards God.’” Treasure stored up for oneself alone separates us from God because we can become so attached to them that we forget to be thankful; we forget to offer all we have up to God. Yet God does want comfort, safety and security for us, but in accordance with His ways, not ours alone. Just as the animals in the natural world store up food for the winter, so our natural needs are to be tended to, but we have the capacity to receive and participate in God’s grace, assisting us to properly attend to all our needs for this life and the next.
Back in Jesus’ times and before, there were always looming threats of captivity, oppression, and harsh living conditions. The idea of self-preservation, whether culturally or individually, has always and probably will always exist within a fallen human condition. This gospel passage brought to mind two current scenarios: 1. Major storms, and 2. The idea of “prepping”. The two major hurricanes that happened in Florida just recently left many, affluent and poor alike, without all or most of everything they ever had. Even fortified homes were no match for storm surge, trees and fires. All of what was once inside their homes (or what’s left of them) is now outside, piled in high garbage heaps. Surprisingly, there was a resilience within many people as they, through this loss, were thankful to be alive. Churches seemed fuller, many were sincerely trying to help others as they saw hope beyond what they had lost, and many deciding to take their spiritual lives and relationship with God more seriously. Praise be unto the Lord! Additionally, we currently have a dangerous geo-political climate, and many are preparing “just in case.” Preparation for any possible future situation is certainly a good thing, but there is a sense where even this can go too far where a mighty fortress with goods stored becomes the idea of salvation for some—but all the prepping in the world won’t save one’s soul.
St. Luke’s gospel passage reminds of where to seek our true comfort, and security. There is certainly nothing evil in being prosperous, rich or having great means, but many come to rest on their laurels—eating, drinking, and being merry as the gospel says. We can forget that salvation isn’t found in things that pass away, thus we must always remember to seek true richness, found only in God!
Photo Credit: “Death and the Merchant,” (based on Lk 12:13-21) by Franz Francken the Younger (c. 1635) found at: www.hellenicaworld.com
Amen, beautifully and perfectly said!!!