Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God. Luke 12:13-21
When I graduated high school there was a hyper emphasis on defining success as “net worth” or simply in financial accumulation. Alex P. Keaton (played by Michael J. Fox) on TV was our hero… young, successful, upwardly mobile. There is certainly more than material and worldly riches. Jesus said make sure you are rich toward God. What are riches to God? Love, Christlike character, simple obedience to His Word and will, childlike faith in Him. These are precious commodities in His economy. They are developed in prayer, service, and every relationship. The simple goal of the Christian life is to be like Him (Jesus) in word, thought and deed.
In the end God is far more concerned with my life as a donation, not accumulation.
In what ways am I gaining in riches toward God? What’s is truly profitable in my life?
God in heaven, and in my heart, I pause this morning to think and pray about how rich I really am. You have blessed me with family and friends that are precious beyond measure. Am I rich toward You in affection, devotion and service? Thank you for yesterday and the myriad of opportunities to love people in Your name. May You script today and help me especially get ahead in my studies for law school. Please bless the kids and grand baby with joy today. Please strengthen my mom.
