Jesus was right in the middle a critical lesson with his disciples concerning the importance of the presence of the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:1-12) when this guy in the crowd yells out, “Tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me!” This was an incredibly rude public request to Jesus to settle a private family matter.
There are several words in the Bible that should immediately ring bells and one of them is when Jesus calls someone “friend.” Because when Jesus calls someone friend typically, they are not and what will follow is a “come to Jesus” moment that includes a huge amount of tough love.
Lessons interrupted by questions of money…again. And it’s not even Stewardship season – that’s NEXT month. It should come as no surprise that here in August we get this kind of lesson because in the gospels money is the number one topic that Jesus addresses. In fact, somewhere I read that 1 out every 10 verses deals with money. Perhaps the gospels speak to this because there really is no “stewardship season.” Stewardship of time, talents and treasures is a way of life, not a program.
In an effort to decrease your anxiety and to keep you reading for just a little bit longer, we’re NOT going to talk about increasing your level of giving, so take a breath and hang in there with me.
About that rich man – he’s not a cheat nor has he come by his wealth using unscrupulous methods. He’s a very good business man and has managed his wealth well. AND he’s been incredibly lucky with good weather, good soil in a land that can be harsh and unyielding.
With this abundance, he recognizes that he can retire and “relax, eat, drink and be merry.” But not quite yet – there is still more work to be done. Build bigger barns. Maybe then. But for now the construction begins.
“Fool!” That’s another bible word that should set the bells off, too. That was a fighting word and if you really, really wanted to insult someone to the max, in the 1st century just call them a fool. And God just called him a fool and this guy has a really big problem.
Eleven times this guy uses personal pronouns. He’s a community of one and that does not a community make. That is this guy’s number one problem. He had isolated himself from the rest of the world. In a society that focused on relationship, family and community, the only one he had left to talk to was himself and no others. And now it’s too late.
His family whom he has alienated will never know he’s gone. The greater community which he didn’t want to be a part of will never miss him. And those neighbors, the ones with whom he couldn’t even be bothered to talk to, after a while, they will notice that the crops have not been harvested, the livestock have not been cared for and that the barns are in a state of disarray. And one day, someone will go over there only to find his dead and decaying body slumped over the counting table.
“So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
This guy’s problem was that he was filthy rich in possessions (treasures for themselves) but dirt poor in relationships (rich toward God).
God didn’t create us just to talk to ourselves. He created us to live in relationship with him in and among our family and community. Jesus never said that it was a sin to be rich. Jesus said that it was a sin to keep all of our time, talents and treasures to ourselves and not care for or to be in community and relationship with others.
In other words, this parable is not about what we have (or don’t have) but rather what we do (or don’t do) with the time, talents and treasures that we do have. It is meant to be shared, all of it, ourselves, our time and our possessions, ALL gracious gifts from God. And that is to be done in community.
And living in community isn’t easy. It means we have to talk to people we don’t like. We have to deal with those with whom we disagree, annoy the living daylights out of us and worse, have hurt us. Forgiveness and trust are vital components for a thriving community. And let’s face it, community is messy and it takes a lot of work.
But that is what makes us rich toward God – giving all that love and forgiveness.
So, here’s my shameless plug #2 for Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship. You guessed it. One of the marks is disciples live in relationship – with God, others and the community in which they find themselves.
Does that Pokémon Gym invitation sign begin to make more sense now? We’re a part of this community and it is my hope and prayer that if something should happen tomorrow – the church burn down or worse – that the Leesburg community WOULD notice.
God’s will is that we are not alone but that we belong to the community of God. We are called to tend and nurture this community in which we gather around God’s word of grace, love and mercy. And in that sharing with our neighbors – the one’s we know and the ones we have yet to meet – we welcome all to the table.
There are a lot of exciting things going on here at Holy Trinity! Let’s get energized and excited for ministry and mission! Share with your neighbor and invite them to join you – this Sunday.
This parable is not about what we have (or don’t have) but rather what we do (or don’t do) with the time, talents and treasures that we do have. It is meant to be shared, all of it, ourselves, our time and our possessions, ALL gracious gifts from God.
Share the excitement, share the energy, share the good news of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, share what difference that has made in your life. Just share!