Rich towards God!

 Luke 12:1–21

As thousands gathered they were trampling over one another; and Jesus warned his disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees which was hypocrisy. He had rebuked the Pharisees for their external ritual cleansing that left the heart untouched. They performed their ceremonies, loved prominent seats and recognition, but they neglected the love and justice of God (11:42-44). But Jesus tells his disciples that everything covered over, hidden or whispered in private would be made known and proclaimed from the housetops. They were to fear God from whom they could be eternally separated, and they need not fear men who can only kill the body. (12:1-5)  

Jesus had already said that some of his apostles would be persecuted and even killed (11:49), but here he assures his disciples that God values them. In fact, God even knows how many hairs were on their heads, and God even cares for sparrows and they were more valuable than many sparrows.  Those confessing the Son of Man before men, Jesus would acknowledge before the angels of God. Those who deny the Son of Man, he would deny before the angels of God. Those speaking against the Son of Man could be forgiven, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven. Jesus warned his disciples that they would be brought before synagogues, before rulers and authorities; but they need not be afraid because the Holy Spirit would teach them what to say. (12:6-11)  

Many of Jesus' hearers, like us today, would have been anxious and worried that the little they had would not be enough for tomorrow. They may feared that the few garments, the couple of farm animals or the small farm plot was simply not enough. One family disaster, some additional tragedy or serious ailment, a natural disaster or more national crisis and their hope would be gone. Yet, worrying and worrying about our worries is self-destructive. Moreover, in the light of Jesus’ comments and this short parable, it is contrary to trusting Jesus’ message of God’s kingdom.

Someone from the crowd asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or mediator between you?” Then Jesus warned them to be on their guard against greed; and exhorted them that a person’s life does not consist in the things they possess. Then Jesus told a parable about a certain rich man whose land yielded an abundant crop. The man didn’t have room to store up all that he had harvested. Then he decided to tear down his existing barns and big bigger better barns where he could store up his surplus. Then he would have enough for many years. Then the man could say that he had plenty for many years and he could take life easy and could eat, drink and be merry! (12:13-19)

The man was prepared to take life easy, but he wasn’t prepared to give account for his life to God. That very night his life would be demanded of him by God. He would have appeared to the onlooker like he really had it made, and yet according to God he was a fool. What made him a fool? Storing up for self was foolish, because others would enjoy what he had stored up for himself. He hadn't given himself and his possessions to God and now God was taking his life away from him. He had failed to bless those in need with what he had and now God would distribute what he had to others. The story concludes with Jesus saying that this is how it would be for those storing up for themselves; but who are not rich towards God!  (12:20-21)

A man in the crowd urged Jesus to help him get his share of his family's part of Israel's 'Holy Land'. Jesus’ kingdom mission, however, was bigger than the aspirations of many which was to take back control of their ‘Promised Land’ from the Romans. The Land was promised by God to Abraham and so possession of the Land was a vital Jewish symbol and in like manner Jewish families clung to their own inheritance for religious and economic reasons.

Jesus’ kingdom message wasn’t about God defending or restoring Israel’s Land. Jesus was bringing a God’s kingdom of grace and life for people from every race and every land: to the whole world (Rom.4:13). Some theologians have said that Israel was trying to position themselves in the way that this man in the story wanted the security of having enough many possessions. In response God would say, ‘You fool!’ Life in the kingdom is about all who are made in God’s image, learning to trust God and being determined to be a blessing to others. Israel called God ‘Father’—while the distant gods of the Gentiles needed to be appeased or manipulated. If your God is 'Our Father' then we don't need to try to get on his good side so that we can get what we want. What we can do through Christ is to trust our Father God and commit to blessing others.  

The whole Luke Acts narrative presents this radical ethic of using what we have for the benefit of others. The kingdom is opposed to storing up things for the benefit of self without any reference to God or to others. Jesus’ story illustrates the folly of greedily hording up for self. When our lives are demanded of us, whatever we’ve stored up in this life will only go to others. We can do it willingly now for the good of others and as a witness to our generous heavenly Father and his beloved Son Jesus. Our things will go to the benefit to others when our lives in this world are over. When we die, then where will our inheritance go?  Jesus, here, brings the priorities of God’s kingdom to bear on our own selfish intentions and upon our increasingly anxious world. God promised to bless Abraham and his descendants in order to bless all the peoples of the world (Gen.12:1-3). Now through Jesus’ perfect life and sin atoning death we become the blessed children of God with the ethic of becoming a blessing to others.