Striving for More

Consumed with clutching my own personal ticket to paradise, I wonder how often I let the saving words of God slip through my fingers. I am all too often like this man who asks Jesus to arbitrate in a family dispute. Jesus responds by telling his followers to abandon a life of greed.

Jesus addresses the underlying reason for many of our complaints in life. Whether or not we consider ourselves rich (and most of us wouldn’t put ourselves in this category), we are often guilty of thinking that "just a little more" would allow us to relax and finally be happy. We hope for a little more financial security, relationships that suit our needs better and experiences that make us feel truly alive.

The success of the man in the parable only leads to more worries. The healthy yield means that he is now under pressure to preserve what he has.

Jesus has no patience with the man's foolishness. He offers a harder and better solution. To be rich toward God is to surrender our lives rather than to hold onto them tightly. It is a call to generosity in relationships and being thankful for daily provisions. The goal of the rich man’s hoarding was to eventually be able to "Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." Jesus takes us via the back road to abundant life, communion with him and everlasting joy.

Respond in Prayer

Heavenly Father, you know my every need. I return to you the life you have given me, abandoning my striving and stress. Teach me to sow kingdom seeds, that I might enjoy the rich harvest of a life in the Spirit. Through Christ who saves, Amen.

Miriam Wickett

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).