Saturday 30 July 2016

Does wealth bring contentment?

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE
 
DOES WEALTH BRING CONTENTMENT?
Lk. 12:13-21

We can’t live on fresh air.  Money plays a large part in all our lives.  Most of us have to concern ourselves with earning a living.  That concern occupies a sizeable portion of our waking hours.  Making ends meet requires careful planning and hard work.  We also have to provide for the possibility of accidents and the probability of old age.  To ignore such matters is to invite disaster for ourselves and our family.  In this world no one can lead a responsible life without giving some time and attention to money.

Jesus realised this and so devoted much of His teaching to how we are to cope with money and possessions.  In today's Gospel He told the story of a farmer who had accumulated a fortune.  His wealth was measured not in money, but in produce.  His land had produced such a bountiful harvest that he had to build additional storage space.  He had enough to last him for the rest of his life.  He could live comfortably, even lavishly, without ever working another day.

The surprising part of this story is the way Jesus ended it.  We would have said the farmer was a tremendous success, a man to be admired and even envied.  We would hold him up as an example for young people to follow, but Jesus did the exact opposite.  He called that man a fool.  He labelled his life a failure and warned others not to repeat his mistake.

Why do we think differently from Jesus?  Here was a man who had made a good living, who had managed to save, provide for his old age and was able to take an early retirement.  What's his mistake?  According to Jesus the farmer had put all his efforts into accumulating wealth for the future, with no thought of his eternal salvation.  This was foolishness indeed.

Let us go back to the story in the Gospel.  What did the farmer do wrong?  He was not dishonest, nor did he cheat anyone of what was rightfully theirs.  But in his eagerness to acquire wealth he left no time for God.  There were not enough hours in the day.  He was up early in the morning and had no time to pray before starting work.  By the time he had finished his work in the evening he was too tired to pray.  As a result, all that mattered was his work.  God had gradually been pushed out of his life.

All this wealth and financial security had made the farmer complacent.  He began to think that he did not need God in his life.  He had made himself cosy and comfortable and he had protected himself from every danger that life could bring.  With all his money he had built his own heaven on earth.  That is why Jesus said, "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Having amassed his wealth, the farmer became greedy.  He wanted to keep everything for himself, rather than share with anyone else.  This was what Jesus condemned not the fact that the farmer had become rich, but that he had stored up treasure for himself alone.  How richly God would have rewarded him, if only he had shown some generosity to those less fortunate.

Most of us may feel that the story of a rich farmer has very little relevance to our own lives.  We are not wealthy landowners; we are ordinary people struggling to make a living.  We have a mortgage to pay, children to feed and clothe.  It is wise to save money and make provision for our old age.  These responsibilities have to be faced we cannot evade them.  God knows all this, but despite all the pressures He wants us to put Him first in our lives.  In fact, if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness all these things will be catered for.

We may never be extraordinarily rich, like the farmer in the parable, but do we set our hearts on acquiring possessions?  Do we think we would be happier if only we had a bigger house and car, a faster computer, the latest music centre or a better three piece suite?  Hasn’t experience shown us that happiness is transitory, and it won't be very long before we are looking for more, bigger and better things?  If we really think that these things will make us happy and contented, are we making the same mistake as the farmer?

Whether we are rich or poor, there will always be demands made of us.  We are forever being confronted with collections for charities of one kind or another, and it can be very irritating and exasperating.  But let us not forget that in comparison with the Third World we are millionaires.  We can afford to share a little of our wealth, and in giving let us give cheerfully, because God loves a cheerful giver.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for all you have given us.  Let us learn to be content and not to forget those who are in need of our help.  Let us not make the same mistake as the farmer in Your story who thought there were pockets in shrouds. 
 
DAILY SERMONS FROM FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE - CLICK HERE

8 comments:

  1. You know, my attention got pulled to the first part of today's Gospel reading at Mass today. You don't mention the part that led Jesus to tell that parable. Here, from Luke 12:

    "Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
    “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
    He replied to him,
    “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
    Then he said to the crowd,
    “Take care to guard against all greed,
    for though one may be rich,
    one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

    Why would Jesus say, who appointed me as your judge?" He is the judge. What's also startling is what's implied here. That the poorer brother wants what the richer brother has, and Jesus seems to imply that he is as greedy as if he were a rich man seeking money. The poor, in their desire to get other people's money are just as greedy as rich people trying to get more. It's where your heart is, not where your bank account is.

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    1. Hi Manny,

      I suppose Jesus is saying: "I am not here to judge about your rights to your inheritance". Implying, My task here is much greater than just being a lawyer between you and your brother.

      Then, to make His point; He says the parable of the rich farmer. Again, what He is teaching here is about the pursuit of wealth for its own sake. Regardless whether He is addressing the rich or the poor brother. He is addressing everyone, including us, who pursue wealth for its own sake.

      You make a good point that the poor generally, in their desire to get people's money, are just as greedy as the rich. But we must ask whether the poor have the same opportunities in life to get rich or to improve their lot. Many are in poverty through no fault of their own; and through circumstances not of their own making. I have seen real poverty in rich cities where I worked, like London and Edinburgh. Believe me, they were not all greedy for asking for help. They did it out of desperation and real need.

      God bless you and your family, Manny. It's really nice to see you visiting me again. Thanx.

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    2. Of course. I didn't mean to put down poor people, of which I grew up myself poor. Just saying that greed works in all people, including the poor.

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    3. I agree, Manny. Greed works in all people; and I've seen it in many poor.

      God bless.

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  2. Such a powerful post. God has really been teaching my family and me these truths...true joy in the soul does not come from possessions or from anything in this life. It comes from letting go of this world and drawing close to Jesus and allowing eternal things to be our focus. All that is in this life will perish anyway, but the treasures we lay up in Heaven will last forever. There is SO much joy in giving it away...just letting go of the excess and passing it on to those who have less. It is an ongoing extremely liberating journey for our family...I wish all could know and realize how much joy comes from following Jesus' rules about money and giving and generosity. Thank you for reminding us, Victor. I loved this post. God bless you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Cheryl. You are so right in what you say. Father Francis, whom I have known for a long time, does give some good sermons. Check the link to his website above.

      God bless.

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  3. A very powerful sermon, Victor, thanks for sharing it with us. It constantly how parables from 2,000 years ago are so relevant today. We think we are so different than people in Jesus' time ... but we have not changed as much as we think.

    God Bless you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Michael. Father Francis has preached a powerful sermon here showing that little has changed from 2000 years ago.

      God bless.

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