Luke 12:13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool
Reflection – Motivation
“It’s not fair” is something we hear often from children whether it’s because one has received more ice cream, sweets, toys or even affection. Although not considered in law to be able to tell the difference between right and wrong until the age of 7 children as young as 18 months are able to identify what is not fair.
A fair distribution of wealth is something that is sort by many in the fight to eradicate poverty. The ideal of communism was that all were equal and should have equal share in goods and money. Communes are a group of people wo live in community sharing possessions and responsibilities. The early church lived by this principal, handing over possessions, money and land to be shared equally by all. However, all systems can fall prey to the human characteristic of greed.
Greed (or avarice) is an uncontrolled longing for increase in the acquisition or use of material gain (be it food, money, land, or animate/inanimate possessions); or social value, such as status, or power.
In the parable someone in the crowd comes to Jesus asking for a division of the inheritance with his brother. He was obviously a younger son as the eldest son got twice as much as the other siblings. What was his motivation? This seemed quite a reasonable request, but Jesus was always able to see beyond the obvious towards the true motive of the individual. The division of family inheritance was the normal practice so was “fair” according to the customs of the time. Jesus saw the motives of the brother so told him to be aware of all kinds of greed. He was not to covet his brother’s inheritance thereby breaking the 10th Commandment. Many covet other’s possessions, wealth, lifestyle, job and so much more and strive to keep up with the object of their covetousness.
However, our worth is not to be seen in terms of our possessions. God’s riches are love, generosity, kindness, patience, and compassion. We are to share with others out of the richness of God’s provision. That might include sharing wealth and possessions, but above all we are to share God’s love and the Kingdom values. We can do that if we treasure God above all.
QUESTIONS
- How satisfied are you with your life?
How far do you crave possessions?
3. Are you generous with your possessions?
4. Where are there signs of greed in yourself, those whom you know and in the wider community?
5. What are the effects of greed?
6. Where does generosity need to be practiced? How would this make a difference?
Prayer
Loving God
Drive from me a heart full of avarice, a heart full of hate, a heart full of impatience, a heart full of pride.
God of generosity, give me a generous heart full of compassion.
God of compassion, give me a loving heart full joy.
God of love, give me a patient heart full of forgiveness.
God of forgiveness, give me a humble heart full of contrition.
Through the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit, through the example of the Son, and through the generosity of God. Amen
Leonora Wassell – CoChair
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
