Crossings commentary on today’s gospel (Lk 12:13-21) “diagnoses” our spiritual bankruptcy caused by our self-satisfied seeking, content only on aggrandizing ourselves with these earth’s goods – always wanting “more” of “less.” In fact, Jesus the teacher, while refusing to be the arbiter in the division of properties, unhesitatingly leaves us a wise warning: "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."
The solution rests on a change of attitude towards worldly goods: consider them important but not as important as one’s relationship with God and with others. Follow Jesus, the Father’s Son who wisely stored his treasure up in God.
The solution rests on a change of attitude towards worldly goods: consider them important but not as important as one’s relationship with God and with others. Follow Jesus, the Father’s Son who wisely stored his treasure up in God.
This is how Crossings commentary completes the “prognosis” for life eternal:
Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Eternal Solution): Receiving the Brother's Inheritance
For those who are spiritually bankrupt, the only bit of good news that could possibly change these dire circumstances is the arrival of an unexpected good fortune--say, an unexpected inheritance. And that is exactly what is provided by the Father through Jesus. Jesus is no mere teacher or arbitrator, he is the Father's Son. He is the first born with the birthright. But more than that, he is the Son who stores his treasure up in God and not in the world's treasures--so much so, that he surrenders his life to the cause. Jesus accepts the full-blown poverty of death; he has nothing to show for himself; no treasure laid up on earth (v. 21). And his heavenly Father responds to that self-surrender with: "Rich!" Jesus gives away his earthly life and gets what you can take with you: the wealth of life with God. While it is true that Jesus' life was demanded of him, it is also true that, because he was rich toward God, his death was vanquished. What's more, his resurrection made him the heir and rightful administrator of that inheritance. Our relationship to Jesus, the Heir, can be summed up this way: We are the undeserving beneficiaries of our Brother's inheritance, which he is eager to share.
Step 5: Advanced Prognosis (Internal Solution): Expecting More with Jesus
Such generosity on Christ's part, makes us do a double take, when it comes to what we ask of him: This is no mere teacher; this is no dime-a-dozen arbitrator. We have come into the company of Jesus the Christ, who administers the family fortune of mercy. And there's no need to fight over which of us is more deserving of the riches; in faith we know the inheritance is unearned by all, and always will be. We are simply beggars who have come into the company of a generous God; to which we can only say, "Rich!" Such undeserved well-fare merits our most sincere, "Thank God!"
Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): Wanting More than More
The priorities of those who inherit God's rich mercy are bound to shift. Worldly riches may have their purpose, but being rich toward God comes with its own benefits: In faith we know that our security doesn't depend on storing up worldly goods, so our lust for more ebbs. Of course, worldly goods can be used to care for ourselves, our loved ones and, very importantly, the poor. We all need daily food. But, unlike the world's goods, God's riches don't run out, and they satisfy long after the eating, drinking, and revelry have faded. Besides, we have more important things to spend our time on: Adopted into Christ's family, we are executors of our Brother's inheritance; we are called to divide the family fortune again and again, to benefit even more undeserving (but pleasantly surprised) souls.
Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Eternal Solution): Receiving the Brother's Inheritance
For those who are spiritually bankrupt, the only bit of good news that could possibly change these dire circumstances is the arrival of an unexpected good fortune--say, an unexpected inheritance. And that is exactly what is provided by the Father through Jesus. Jesus is no mere teacher or arbitrator, he is the Father's Son. He is the first born with the birthright. But more than that, he is the Son who stores his treasure up in God and not in the world's treasures--so much so, that he surrenders his life to the cause. Jesus accepts the full-blown poverty of death; he has nothing to show for himself; no treasure laid up on earth (v. 21). And his heavenly Father responds to that self-surrender with: "Rich!" Jesus gives away his earthly life and gets what you can take with you: the wealth of life with God. While it is true that Jesus' life was demanded of him, it is also true that, because he was rich toward God, his death was vanquished. What's more, his resurrection made him the heir and rightful administrator of that inheritance. Our relationship to Jesus, the Heir, can be summed up this way: We are the undeserving beneficiaries of our Brother's inheritance, which he is eager to share.
Step 5: Advanced Prognosis (Internal Solution): Expecting More with Jesus
Such generosity on Christ's part, makes us do a double take, when it comes to what we ask of him: This is no mere teacher; this is no dime-a-dozen arbitrator. We have come into the company of Jesus the Christ, who administers the family fortune of mercy. And there's no need to fight over which of us is more deserving of the riches; in faith we know the inheritance is unearned by all, and always will be. We are simply beggars who have come into the company of a generous God; to which we can only say, "Rich!" Such undeserved well-fare merits our most sincere, "Thank God!"
Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): Wanting More than More
The priorities of those who inherit God's rich mercy are bound to shift. Worldly riches may have their purpose, but being rich toward God comes with its own benefits: In faith we know that our security doesn't depend on storing up worldly goods, so our lust for more ebbs. Of course, worldly goods can be used to care for ourselves, our loved ones and, very importantly, the poor. We all need daily food. But, unlike the world's goods, God's riches don't run out, and they satisfy long after the eating, drinking, and revelry have faded. Besides, we have more important things to spend our time on: Adopted into Christ's family, we are executors of our Brother's inheritance; we are called to divide the family fortune again and again, to benefit even more undeserving (but pleasantly surprised) souls.
