Wealth, Possessions and Worry

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-9, 43  • Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 and Psalm 49:1-12  • Colossians 3:1-11  • Luke 12:13-21

The Greek word for greed on Jesus’s parable this week is πλεονεξία (pleonexia). It is the type of avarice that is the insatiable desire to have what rightfully belongs to others. What does Jesus have to say about wealth, possessions, and worry? Paul calls it idolatry in this week's Epistle to the Colossians, when the desire for wealth begins to take over one's life. 

In "Soul Investment" The Rev. Kathryn M. Matthews asks us what makes us secure, and what is of value to us - what do our possessions mean to us, and what do we do with them.

Notice the contrast between Joseph storing up grain in preparation for famine and the rich farmer in Jesus' parable. What are the differences in perspective, what they do, and who they do it for?

What do we worry about? This is particularly relevant today, not only in finances and economics, individually, nationally and internationally, but in terms of security. What is Jesus' answer to our priorities, and worry?

As Debie Thomas says in "Rich Toward God,"we don't like talking about money. She wrestles with Jesus' answer to the perfectly good request of the man who asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide an inheritance with him. He was not asking for unfairness or something unreasonable. What was Jesus' reply? It helps to see what Jesus sees - what is going through the man's mind and experience. What do you get from the parable of the rich man who planned to build more barns to store his wealth to enjoy in his retirement, but whose life was taken from him that night. So it is, Jesus says, with those who store up treasures for themselves, but are not "rich toward God." What does he mean? As Debie Thomas says "Be rich toward God. Don't shy away. Be brave and wrestle with what this invitation means, because the richness we spend on God is the only richness we'll keep in the end."