Wealth Accumulation and the Wisdom of Luke 12:13-21- A Spiritual Perspective
In the labyrinth of life’s pursuits, and as we approach the holidays, the Gospel according to Saint Luke 12:13-21, offers a profound spiritual perspective on wealth accumulation and the folly of singularly chasing material wealth. First, let’s read the passage:
13 Someone in the crowd said to him (Jesus), “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
14 He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”h
15 Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
16 Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
17 He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
18 And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods
19j and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”
20 But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
21 Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”*
Now, let’s take a look at the many lessons it brings:
Don’t Just Focus on Material Wealth
In a world pulsating with the pursuit of possessions, our Lord’s admonition is clear: do not be myopic in your aspirations. Beyond the glitter of gold and the allure of possessions, there lies a deeper calling. Material wealth, while necessary for sustenance, should not be the exclusive compass guiding our life’s journey.
Don’t Worry, Live for One Another
The biblical passage encourages us to shed the burden of worry. It’s a call to shift our focus from the ceaseless concerns about sustenance and financial stability. Instead, the essence lies in living for one another—embracing a communal existence where the welfare of our fellow human beings becomes intertwined with our own.
What is Your Wealth in Heaven?
Beyond the ephemeral wealth we accumulate on Earth, the scripture prompts us to reflect on our wealth in heaven. It challenges us to evaluate the enduring value of our actions and investments in the context of spiritual treasures that echo through eternity.
Don’t Wait Until You Retire to Do Things
A common pitfall is the procrastination of benevolence. Waiting for retirement to contribute to charity or volunteer often becomes a delayed promise. The scripture warns against this postponement, emphasizing the importance of seizing the present moment for acts of kindness and generosity.
Store Up Treasure for Yourself in Heaven
The man described in Luke 12:13-21 is driven to accumulate treasures for himself on Earth, neglecting the spiritual wealth crucial in God’s eyes. The pursuit of a life free from labor is cautioned against, highlighting the poverty that can manifest in neglecting matters of spiritual significance.
Selfishness and Anxieties
Selfishness is denounced, and excessive worries are discouraged. The passage advises against being ensnared in the perpetual cycle of concern about worldly needs. Instead, it advocates for a balanced approach where responsibility is acknowledged, but anxiety is eschewed.
Share Your Goods, Give Alms to the Poor
A central tenet emerges—to share our material wealth generously. Selling property to aid the less fortunate becomes a virtue, and giving alms to the poor is an act that reverberates in the heavenly realms. This ethos of selflessness echoes through various biblical teachings.
Set Your Heart in Heaven
The crux lies in setting our hearts in heaven rather than tethering them solely to earthly matters. The scriptural wisdom calls for a transcendence of the temporal and a grounding in the eternal—an orientation that shapes our priorities and actions.
Resting in God’s Providence
The question arises: How can we rest more in God’s Providence? The answer lies in trusting our heavenly Father with our needs, and acknowledging that an overburdened heart finds solace in divine care. Placing our treasure, our trust in God becomes a transformative practice, relieving the weight of incessant worry.
A Holistic Retirement and the Importance of Love
Just like the rich man in the parable, many think of retirement as having so much money that they no longer have to lift a finger to work. He can enjoy life, “rest, eat, drink and be merry”. But our “real” Christian work of bringing Jesus to the people around us, doesn’t stop when we retire.
This spiritual perspective on wealth accumulation extends beyond the immediate concerns of financial planning. It prompts a reevaluation of retirement not merely as a financial milestone but as a phase infused with the richness of affection and love. The scripture underscores the importance of holistic well-being, where relationships and spiritual wealth take precedence.
A purposeful Life
Jesus’ teachings in Luke 12:13-21 provide a roadmap for a purposeful life—one that transcends the ephemeral pursuits of earthly, material wealth. It calls for a balance between responsibility and spiritual mindfulness, urging us to accumulate treasures that resonate in the heavenly realms.
Be on the alert and be ready
While this last one may not be a direct message of the passage, being prepared is a common theme of Advent and the anticipatory welcoming of our savior Jesus at Christmas time. It’s also a great reminder that we have to be ready to face Jesus when He calls us back to our heavenly home. Since no one knows when this time will come, we have to be on the alert and be ready to give an account of what we have done here on earth, on whether we have done our duty to God and to our brothers and sisters.
As we navigate the complexities of life, and as we celebrate the holidays, let our wealth be measured not only in possessions but in the enduring love and compassion we share with others. The scriptural passage from the gospel of St. Luke urges us not to be foolish like the man fixated on amassing earthly riches. Instead, it beckons us to consider a wealth that transcends the tangible—a wealth that echoes in the corridors of heaven.
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Sheilla Vidal is a Retirement Income Certified Professional RICP® and life insurance broker. She is also a physical therapist, a mom of two, and one of the caregivers for her 85-year-old dad. She is an avid learner. She writes, speaks, and recognizes that her work in helping clients live with dignity is her God-given mission.
