Proper 14. August 7, 2022.

Luke 12:32-40

Rev. Neli ML

 

 "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions" (12,15). This is the exhortation from last week’s sermon that still reverberates in our ears and hearts this day.

Last Sunday we heard about a rich fool who thought of accumulating wealth for himself without knowing that that night he would die despite his many possessions. In teaching about this desire for accumulation, Jesus said, “. . .life does not consist in the abundance of possession.”

Today, Jesus continues teaching us about possessions… but, before engaging in today’s gospel, I would like to take you back to the preceding verses in which Jesus exhorts us to not worry or be anxious about material needs.  Jesus assures us that God, like a good father, knows our needs and provides us with them. Jesus tells us, “. . .do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying… your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well (12,29-31).”  

Sisters and brothers, striving for the Kingdom of God means seeking justice and peace, which are the basis for community wellbeing. Striving for the Kingdom of God leads us to live in peace and harmony in a society of abundance where equality and equity prevail. Thus, striving for the Kingdom of God has communitarian purposes, not individual ones. There is no personal guarantee of wealth or possessions, only the wellbeing of all in the community.

Seeking the Kingdom of God is a daily struggle. Sometimes it is very, very hard because we wrestle against this world’s dark system. However, today Jesus tells us, “. . . do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom (12,32).”  Wow! We, Jesus disciples, are the beneficiaries to whom God has given the Kingdom to understand and proclaim it among the peoples. Let us take it, live it, and share it with others!

Jesus’ first disciples were a small group, like a little flock among the fierce wolves of the first century earthly kingdoms who oppressed the peoples. Yet, Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid, God is with you.”  So, how did they live the Kingdom of God? 

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus giving the key on how to live the Kingdom of God. In Luke, we very often find Jesus speaking about wealth and possessions, which he does not demonize but puts them at the service of the community. Today he says, “Sell your possessions, and give alms.” The word “alms” does not mean giving a few coins to the needy on the streets or putting some money in the church offering basket; it means “an act of mercy”.

In Jesus’ day, there were only two socioeconomic statuses, the rich and the poor; there was no middle class. In general, most wealthy people obtained their possessions from the poor by plundering and extorting.  The gap between the rich and the poor was so extreme that it is estimated that 9 out of 10 persons lived close to the subsistence level or below it (Sakari, 2016).  The parable told by Jesus about the rich fool depicts this situation. This man owned a huge portion of land and many slaves; however, instead of sharing the abundant crops with his community, he accumulates. How many were starving to death while he stored food in his barns? How many beg for the bread we store in our refrigerator…? You know, this makes me think that when we are worried and accumulate like the rich fool, it may sound like greed, not faith in God!

Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus tells us today, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (12,34).” Where is our treasure today? In a safe deposit box? In a bank? In a warehouse? In a pantry? It seems that when Jesus speaks about possessions, he is not speaking about our family’s house, the bread on our table, our laptop, our car, etc., but about everything not needed but still accumulated. Things accumulated but never used do not belong to us. . . they need to be shared! In the Kingdom of God there is no room for the words “possessions and accumulation”. So, there are no needy people, either.

 What a big challenge we have as we strive for the Kingdom of God!

Dear sisters and brothers, let us constantly strive for the Kingdom of God, share our possessions, and not give alms but give acts of mercy. Let there be no needy people in our communities!  This is the Kingdom of God! Amen.

 

Sakari, H. (2016). Poverty in the first-century Galilee. HTS Teologiese Studies/HTS Theological Studies, 72(4). http://www.scielo.org.za/pdf/hts/v72n4/46.pdf