“You Can’t Take It with You!”
Sermon Presented August 1, 2010
Luke 12:13-21
Last week, Sue Sachdeva, former vice president of finance for Koss Corp., pled guilty to embezzling $34 million dollars from her employer. The statement read in court said: “Ms. Sachdeva engaged in irrational and excessive buying sprees that escalated over time. When the bills piled up, she took money from her employer to pay for her purchases. A large portion of the funds were used to pay for items that she never possessed, clothes she never wore and items she never picked up.” Sachdeva expressed regret for her actions and the pain and public embarrassment she caused her husband and young children. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 28, Section A, p. 1) Greed became an addiction that led to criminal activity. More was never enough
Jesus is teaching his disciples in the midst of a crowd of thousands when he is interrupted by a man asking him to mediate a family dispute. He wants what is rightfully his! Mosaic Law stated that the first son was to receive twice the inheritance of the other sons. Hear Jesus’ response that he illuminates with a parable. I’m reading Luke 12:13-21.
What does Jesus mean here? Doesn’t he want us to seek justice? Are we to forego financial planning? Should we disregard preparations that will move us toward a secure future or retirement? Are we guilty of the same sin as the rich farmer? Think about these questions as we look at the text to see what Jesus is really saying.
In the first century world, insatiable greediness also had communal implications. If one person grew wealthy, others conversely became poorer because economics was a zero sum game. Peoples’ lives were always intertwined with one another. (Richard P. Carlson, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 3, p. 313)
Therefore, the rich in the first century were looked on negatively because it was assumed that the rich took from the poor. The man in the parable isn’t a simple farmer. He controls much of the agricultural produce of the region, and he’s not willing to sell his excess grain or give it to the poor. He’s going to tear down his barns, build bigger ones, and keep the grain for himself. (ibid)
Now you may be thinking of Joseph and his advice to the Pharaoh to store up grain for seven years in preparation for a famine that would last for seven years. The man in Jesus’ parable is no Joseph. His focus is solely on himself. He fails to take others into consideration, or to consider his own mortality. (ibid) His goal is to eat, drink and be merry! His goal is live well today; for tomorrow he might die.
Our treasures are not necessarily what another would treasure. When we look at the damage from the recent Milwaukee flood, we see that truth profoundly. Some lost everything – like the family of seven that continues to live in a middle school because no housing can be found for all seven. The loss of stored photos was more devastating to some than the loss of a furnace and appliances because the photos couldn’t be replaced. Some things, which are of most value to us, have little value in the marketplace.
After my father-in-law died, my mother-in-law spent several winters in Daytona Beach, Fl. One winter, she called to say she was going to live there permanently, and wanted us to sell her home and all of her possessions. When Don asked what she wanted us to save, she said nothing. We decided to save some things thinking she might want them, but we sold or gave away everything else. Finally she decided to return to Missouri. We showed her what we had saved, and she said: “You saved the junk and sold my treasures!” Sometimes you can’t win.
When referring to the wealthy, it’s easy for us to use “us” – “them” language. We all know people who are wealthier than we! We don’t live in mansions along Lake Michigan or sport a portfolio like Warren Buffett’s or Bill and Melinda Gates, so surely Jesus isn’t talking to us here. However, most of us spend a great deal of time and effort preserving what we have – our possessions, bank accounts and retirement plans. We are wealthy in the eyes of those who have little or nothing! So let’s consider where our focus should it be!
The focus of the rich man in the parable was himself! And Jesus’ concluding words – after the statement from God calling the rich man a fool and telling him his life was being demanded of him – were: “So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” How do we live in tension with treasures for self and richness toward God? In this statement, Jesus appears to give us some wiggle room! It looks like if we are rich toward God, our concern for our treasures will be in right perspective.
The sin of the man in the parable was greed! And you don’t have to be wealthy – or even middle class – to be greedy. Webster defines greed as excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness. We don’t know how very wealthy we are until we lose it.
Last week I finished a science fiction novel by Stephen King titled Under the Dome. The story is of a small town – Chester’s Mill, Maine – that is suddenly and completely enveloped in a transparent dome that can’t be permeated. Many of the people living under the dome become like wild animals, and are willing to do anything to gain power or access to the dwindling available resources. In their desperation, greed rose up and literally changed most of the inhabitants.
It’s not only individuals, but nations, communities, and even churches that can be guilty of greed. Control over the nation’s/world’s resources is coveted. Increased wealth and membership are sought, and sometimes the methods used to acquire them are not ethical or godly. When we grasp for more, we lose sight of our purpose. We fail to be rich toward others and therefore are not rich toward God.
Throughout Luke’s gospel, as well as in the development of the church over the centuries, the act of giving to the poor has been a central element to the sanctified life. The rich farmer in the story exhibited no godly stewardship of his resources. He didn’t return to God or care for his neighbor. He was totally self-focused. In this story, Jesus paints a vivid image of the dangers of wealth for its own sake. For the greedy person, enough is never enough!
People who lived through the depression save for a rainy day today. Money hidden between the mattress and box springs, in the freezer, or tucked into the hems of draperies is familiar to us. Many of us build up bank accounts and stock portfolios. Still others store treasures in real estate and art. And there’s nothing wrong with any of this, according to Jesus. However, when our behavior becomes obsessive to the point that God and others are pushed aside, it becomes greed – and sin! Therein lies the problem.
While the text doesn’t tell us what being rich toward God means, both prior and subsequent Lukan texts provide clear insights. Helping a neighbor in need; intentionally listening to God; trusting God to provide for the needs of life; selling possessions and giving alms to the poor are all central to Jesus’ teachings.
God says to the rich man: “Your soul has been bankrupted by your balance sheet. Foreclosure is imminent. You are dead!” (David J. Schlafer, Feasting…, p. 311)
Greed destroys the good life, leaving the greedy person dissatisfied and unhappy. And greed may not only be a desire to accumulate material things. People can also be greedy for power, public esteem, and experiences. Groups can also be greedy. There was a minister in Marysville who systematically courted generous givers and talented people from other congregations for his congregation. Greedy politicians and business leaders often extend their power through unethical means. Greed permeates our society in many places and many guises.
The values we brought from childhood may continue to influence us in our ideas of being rich toward God. Where do faith and money intersect in our lives today? Do we have honest conversations with our loved ones about personal money management, financial values, and life goals? Do we live lives of faithfulness to God?
Our text encourages us to place our trust in something more durable than the volatile fluctuations of a global economy. Instead of banking on more and larger storage barns, God invites us into the eternal economy of Christ’s grace and mercy. (Patricia J. Lull, Feasting…, p. 314)
So the question for us today is: Will our desires and standards for what is enough be driven by the media, or by our understanding of God’s blessings and our true purpose in life? (Audrey West, Feasting…, p. 314) That’s something to think about, and to pray about! Remember, you can’t take it with you!
08/01/2010
