What is of Worth?

1969 Crissy Doll. 
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Scripture:

Luke 12:13   Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” ¹⁶ Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. ¹⁷ And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ²¹ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Observation:

The crowds continued to press on Jesus, shouting out their questions. Someone in the crowd wanted Jesus to be his advocate with his own brother. Here we discover that Jesus isn’t all that concerned with earthly wealth and this isn’t a battle he is willing to take on. Instead he speaks out a warning to all present to be careful in regard to greed. He knew that an abundance of possessions would tempt people away from their relationship with God. 

Immediately Jesus tells them a parable about a person who wants to save their perishable crops. Much like the children of Israel who wanted more manna than they needed, this man wanted to pull down his barns and build even bigger ones. At the same time, that grain would have brought much joy and satisfaction to those who were hungry. He was imagining the years ahead where he would relax, eat and drink. Augustine put it this way, “He did not realize that the bellies of the poor were much safer storerooms than his barns” (SERMON 36.9). The man never enjoyed all that he had stored away for another day because he died. 

Wesley says that we are to be “Rich toward God—Namely, in faith, and love, and good works.” 

Application:

I’ve been traveling and listening to Timothy Tennant’s book, “For the Body.” This is a rich theology of the body and a challenge to how we live our lives in the flesh. It has good words regarding sexuality and God’s divine intention for those who are His image bearers. I encourage you to read it! 

At the same time he has some challenging words for those of us who are spending a lot of time storing up for retirement. He says that somewhere along the way we may have lost an understanding of the theology of work. When we view work as a means to an end — to storing up for retirement — then we fail to live in the moment that God has given us. The man in the parable could have lived for the joy of being a farmer and seeing his food supply the needs of many. Instead, he saw the food as something that would supply his own personal desires. It forces us to think about what we consider of great worth. 

When I was a little girl I remember wanting a “Crissy Doll.” This was a doll whose hair would “grow” when you pushed a button in her back. I became quite obnoxious about wanting this doll and told my mom that it just wouldn’t be Christmas if I didn’t get her. I did get the doll, but my attitude spoiled my joy. This doll was okay, but she certainly didn’t change my life in any way. She never did become a favorite and always reminded me that I had not had the right spirit toward Christmas. 

If I look back on life and I think of the times in which I experienced the greatest joy, it has come from doing things for others. I actually find that having too many material goods becomes a burden — it all just takes a lot of time and energy. Leading medical mission trips around the former Soviet Union brought great joy. Teaching students in a classroom is a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Cooking food and feeding people is life-giving. All of these things bring me greater joy than something that I could buy somewhere. 

I want to live as Wesley suggested — living a life of faith, and love, and good works. This is really what is of worth. May God help us!

Prayer:

Lord, I want to live for you through a life of faith. Amen.