Wealth Management . . . Jesus-Style
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper
13 (Year C)
Ecclesiastes
1.2, 12-14, 2.18-23; Colossians 3.1-11; Luke 12.13-21
St. Gregory’s, Long Beach
There he goes again! Telling a
parable that makes some of us squirm in our pews.
Jesus is approached be a man in
the crowd, wanting him to intervene in a dispute over the family inheritance.
Jesus refuses to be drawn into the argument. Instead, he uses the opportunity
to warn those gathered about the destructive nature of greed and coveting of
material possessions. The story of a rich man who has amassed so much wealth
that he needs to tear down his old barns and build newer, bigger ones so that
he can store it all. All of this with the intent that he can effectively
retire—so he can “relax, eat, drink, [and] be merry.” But before he can begin
to enjoy his retirement, his life will be “demanded of him.” In short, he’s
going to die. That very night. So much for retirement.
