Hey Jesus, how come the more I have, the more I want? (Luke 12:13–21)
Jesus has answers: It’s impossible to find complete satisfaction through material possessions. Why not look beyond to heaven for ultimate satisfaction.
It is an odd thing about human nature, but no matter how much we buy it never seems to last. The latest phone, the newest computer, even the trendiest outfit or shoes seem to date quickly and we are on the lookout for the next new thing. There’s an increasing recognition that looking for happiness in materialism is a wild goose chase.
On greed and materialism, Jesus said:
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 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 all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things 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 anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
(Luke 12:15–21)
Jesus’ point is that the foolish person (1) lives greedily for money; (2) ignores God; and (3) ignores death and accountability.
I hear Jesus, but I can see the fool in me. There’s part of me that used to think that all my life’s problems would be sorted if I just got a push-button garage door opener. But with a tax return we bought one. Now I think everything would be fine if only there was a heating lamp in the bathroom for me to stand under when I come out of the shower.
And sometimes foolishly I go through the day ignoring God, just like the rich man in the parable: ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself ...’
And I foolishly forget that I will die, meet God and be held accountable. In recent times, the world has heeded a strong warning after the hit to superannuation as a result of the Global Financial Crisis. But more foolish than not having your retirement superannuation sorted is not having one’s eternal superannuation sorted.
In contrast, Jesus says the wise person: (1) is on guard against greed; (2) honours God; and (3) is ready to die and meet God.
Jesus says the answer is not to live greedily for oneself, but rather to live a life honouring God.
In Jesus’ view, someone who is prepared to die and meet God is someone who acknowledges the foolishness in their own life.
Jesus demonstrates the ultimate life of wisdom, in that he doesn’t live greedily for himself, but rather puts his trust in his father in heaven.
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