Bible Reading: Luke 13:14-21
In 2009, a television show called Hoarders debuted. Hoarders tells the stories of people who are addicted to things. People who collect far beyond normal boundaries. People whose lives are controlled by their possessions.
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus told a story about a man who may not have been a hoarder, but whose greed and self-sufficiency led him to try to hoard his possessions. Luke 12:18 says, “Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’”
What was the result of this man’s foolishness and greed? “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’”
Greed is a form of selfish self-provision. Greed sprouts from fear – the fear of being without, the fear of not having enough. Greed is an indication that no one, including God, can be trusted. Greed shows a lack of faith in God's ability to provide. Greed is also a demonstration of discontent and dissatisfaction with the blessings God has already provided.
I hope you never give in to the temptation to greedily hoard earthly possessions. I hope you will always trust God to provide for all your needs.
“I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.” Ecclesiastes 5:13
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your many blessings. Help me to trust You to provide for all of my future needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.