Luke 12:13-21 (NRSV)
Read Luke 12:13-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." Verse 14But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" Verse 15And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Verse 16Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. Verse 17And he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?' Verse 18Then he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. Verse 19And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' Verse 20But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' Verse 21So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God."
Devotion
In this week's gospel reading, Jesus warns against storing surplus grains and goods. Jesus seems to be reminding us that, in the end, "you can't take it with you." But sometimes, grain and goods are worth storing. To a point, maintaining a certain supply of something helps us to reduce and reuse. Responsibly storing and conserving prevents us from needlessly exploiting the abundance of God's creation.
The act of storing and conserving isn't just about our resources. It also matters for our energy. We can't sustain our souls for service without holding some time, energy, and enthusiasm in reserve. We live in a consumerist culture that struggles with professional burnout and vocational disengagement. May we find ways to be mindful of when it is right to store and conserve, so that we can live sustainably and lead lives of sustainable service.
Prayer
God of abundance, who meets our every need, help us to sustain ourselves and our resources for service to our neighbor. Help us to seek to be good stewards of your creation, which includes our own energy and stamina. Amen.