‘So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’ (Luke 12:21)
There are plenty of adverts on the telly about becoming rich. If its not the lottery, its some other cash prize or draw that can make us unimaginably rich.
And for ordinary people - all of us - the thought of becoming suddenly wealthy is very attractive. Like the rich man in the second half of the parable: Most people would give up work- for life if its really enough money - go and live in a villa in Spain, or the Caribbean, or somewhere else that is hot and where the pace of live slow. Most would want the win to remove the pressure and stress from their lives, take away the need for toil and give them years of comfort and leisure.
But the odd thing is that people who are really rich - really really rich - don’t see things in this way. Like the man at the beginning of the Gospel, the really rich don’t give up work and rest back on their wealth, but want to acquire more, more than they can ever use of spend. The really rich - who let’s face it, one way or another have worked to get where they are - they are not satisfied with their wealth. It can never, ever, be enough.
And here we hit on the message of Jesus. Remember the rich young man who came to see him? He asked “What must I do to get eternal life?” In riches and wealth and material things there is some pleasure and enjoyment, but it is never adequate.
Whatever our musings and dreamings, the question each one of us must ask ourselves is simple yet demanding: What do I really want?
What is my treasure?
Is it luxury and leisure? Is it fine things, material goods? Is it ever increasing wealth and possession?
Or is it friends and family? Honesty and loyalty? Companionship and commitment? Truth and self-respect? Love and Devotion?
This life - or the next?
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