Jesus’ teachings call us to examine our lives. In Luke 12, Jesus tells the story of a rich fool who was too materialistic in his thinking.
In the following post, Shane Johnson, a regular contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio through his program entitled “Christ Up Close,” explains the significance of the parable and its relevance for us today. To read part 1, click here.
The Deception of Riches
Riches deceive, but not many know it. Riches are a mirage that looks appealing from far away but up close disappears. Anton Chekhov in his story “Gooseberries” tells the tale of a man who spent his whole life amassing a fortune, building a name for himself. When he finally acquires an estate large enough to satisfy his vision, he invites his older brother to pay him a visit. When his brother arrives and inspects the empire his brother has built he finds it unkempt and run down. At supper his younger brother serves him fresh gooseberries grown from his own garden. To the younger brother, infatuated with his own riches, they tasted delicious and sweet but in reality they were hard and sour. The older brother looked upon his younger, deluded brother with a deep sadness. People infected with a lust for riches and a passion of possessions can’t distinguish between true soul satisfaction and cheap imitation.
Our lust for power and intoxication with praise makes us think that abundance satisfies. But abundance does not satisfy, Jesus said; in fact, abundance chokes. The thorns of riches, the deceitfulness of chasing stuff, choke out the fruit we could be growing in our pursuit of God. Our pursuit of riches and the things riches promise consume all our mental energy, physical health and limited time.
The Pursuit Of Riches May Kill
Be aware, the pursuit of riches may end up, not enriching us, but killing us in the end. Leo Tolstoy in his short story entitled, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” recounts the tale of a man who was granted as much land as he could walk upon in one day. From sunrise to sunset the man, driven onward by an insatiable lust, walked as far as he could. At the end of the day in sobering irony the man died from physical exhaustion, never receiving the chance to enjoy the goods he worked so arduously to acquire. Tolstoy’s story underlines the parable Jesus told: “You fool! This very night your soul will be required of you, then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Luke 12:20)
Take One Drink of Jesus
The love of money, like salt water, can create an insatiable thirst. The more you drink the more you thirst – yet your thirst is never quenched! Jesus seeks to spare us from such a fate. How much land does a man need in order to be content and satisfied? None. How much of Jesus does a man need in order to feel fully alive? One drink. Try Him. Taste Him and see that the Lord is good. Blessed, truly blessed, is the one who trusts in Him (Ps. 34:8).
And yet, a relationship with Him is as infinite as the vastness of space. Looking through the Hubble telescope you can explore the vastness of space. Looking to Him you can explore the furthest outreach of His person and these are just the edges of His ways, just whispers of who He truly is. We will never find the end of Him. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, the Scripture says. His greatness is unsearchable; His ways, past finding out.
To read part 1, click here.
Shane Johnson
You can listen to pod casts from Shane Johnson’s show, “Christ Up Close,” by clicking here.
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Images Courtesy of:
Money: Tracy Olson
Glass of Water: Jan Willem Gertsma
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