Luke 12:13-21 (Colossians 3:1-11, Ecclesiastes 1:2,12-14; 2:18-26)

Treasures of Heaven

            What would it be like to have no more worries in life? What would you need not to lay awake at night worrying about life or what may come next? For the average person, that answer might sound something like... having enough money to buy a house, money to pay off debt, money to buy a car (perhaps even a NEW car), getting the right job, and so on. Even your average Christian will sound similar. We all know that we need money to live, that it costs a lot to be comfortable in our society. There’s little doubt that we live in a money-centric society. I say this, not to say that money or wanting these things is evil by any means. Rather, to point out a common perspective in life. Because of our money-centric society, there’s this common belief that more money would solve most (not all) problems. And indeed, I have no doubt that there are many cases where this is true. However, it’s a common temptation to push this beyond the bounds of having enough, to always needing more. It’s the overused cliche, “Money doesn’t buy you happiness.” For rich and poor alike have worries and concerns in their everyday life. Whether we have abundant possessions or no possessions at all, we’re still inclined to worry. This much is true. But the ultimate answer isn’t money, but contentment in Christ. 

            As we focus on our Gospel reading today, we hear Jesus criticize a man for his desire for more wealth. We also hear from Paul in our Epistle that we’re not to focus on the things of this world, but rather on heavenly things. And even Solomon in our Old Testament lesson chimes in to tell us that the pursuit of pleasure in earthly things is nothing but vanity. This is why we’re told that we need a perspective shift. How we view money and possessions shouldn’t be dictated by this world, but rather by faith. For let us learn to:

SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS OF CHRIST!

I.

            I don’t need to beat a dead horse when it comes to greed. I think we all know that greed is bad in life. Most of us aren’t chasing after money for money’s sake. Indeed, there are still many in our society that do such things, and the temptation still remains for us as well within our society. This is why such discussions are never misplaced. But that’s not my point today. Rather, consider the man who comes up to Jesus. He’s seeking Jesus’ intervention in his dispute with his brother. While we’re not told the full story, we can assume that there was some disagreement about how an inheritance should be divided among them. Whether this man has a legitimate claim or not, Jesus refuses to get involved. Then, Jesus tells the crowd, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions,” Luke 12:15. Coveting is so much more than just greed. Coveting is more than wanting what someone else has. There’s this self-evaluation that happens when we covet. For we consciously or sub-consciously tell ourselves that we’re somehow less than others because we don’t have a nice enough car, or the clothes that we wear, or the house we live in, or even the friends we have, etc. 

            For it doesn’t matter what type of “wealth” we chase after in this life, be it a wealth of popularity, wealth of knowledge, wealth of possessions, and so on. As Solomon tells us very bluntly, “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind,” Ecclesiastes 1:14. When we think life is made up of things in this life, material or immaterial, we’ll only ever come to one realization… it’s vanity. Our focus should never be on the “things on this earth”. Our value, our happiness, our fulfillment in life will never come from chasing after earthly things. Rather, as Jesus was seeking to teach the brother, we need a perspective shift. While Jesus never calls possessions or money or any such things evil in themselves, he reminds us that our focus should be somewhere else. 

II.

            It’s a little funny to me that we usually understand this parable as a condemnation of possessions and wealth. As I said before, of course we know greed is bad, but that’s not all that’s going on here. For many people leave out of their calculations their own mortality and the perspective of eternity! This is what Paul is teaching in Colossians, as he said, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God,” Colossians 3:1. When we seek first Christ and his kingdom, our perspective of our money, our possessions, our family and friends, our career, and all that we say and do is changed. By faith, we now understand that our possessions, life, all that we have is a gift of God and we’re his stewards. Stewards of the gifts and grace of our Lord during what time we have on this earth. And if stewards, then our considerations are no longer for myself alone, but for all of God’s people, for all of creation. Instead of an extra zero at the end of our bank account, how much better would it be if that money goes towards having another brother or sister in Christ in heaven?! And this is just one of many ways that our faith shifts our perspective regarding life, money, and the like.

            For what does it mean to be “rich toward God”? Is it not faith in Jesus Christ and him crucified for us? This is the greatest wealth that we can have, one that doesn’t disappoint, nor proves vain in the end. Rather, it’s the treasure stored up for us unto eternity. This great wealth is granted you in baptism into Christ, being washed of your sins and clothed with the righteousness of Christ. It’s in our Lord’s body and blood given you in the sacrament. It’s our Lord’s all atoning death upon the cross for our sins, our shame, our vain pursuits. Through all of these things, our Lord’s grace and mercy is richly poured out for you so that we may share that wealth with others. Indeed, this is what it means to be rich towards God. It’s growing more and more in the grace of God so that being firm in our faith, we may boldly and confidently share Christ with others that we may have yet more brothers and sisters in Christ in eternity!

            In life, may we shift our focus away from earthly things to the treasures of heaven, where Christ is seated in glory and power and majesty. Thus, shall we find the riches of Christ for us that we may share all that we have with one another as wise stewards of Christ! In Jesus’ name! Amen!