The parable of the Rich Fool is a statement on greed. It points at how we can get caught up in what we own and what people have. It’s about possessions and how they take us over. Or how we react when we lack what we once had. We enjoy wealth but we have a mixed reaction to it. Why? For starters, we need to understand that greed is more than just hoarding possessions. Jesus makes comment about the misguided value which greed attaches to wealth. In pursuing wealth, we are left empty. It is a hunger which cannot be sated and which ultimately leads us away from what gives our lives true value: connection, love and relationship with God.
St Ignatius mentioned three obstacles to our faith: wealth, honor, pride. He knew this from his own experience that people wanted wealth so that they would be highly thought of, and so people took pride in what they had acquired. But, as we know, things can change very quickly. Volatile markets, illness, etc. happen. What then? The opposites of the obstacles Ignatius mentioned are simplicity, integrity, humility.
Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” and I believe it illustrates our gospel reading beautifully. They are more than a simple reminder that our livelihoods are sustained by our efforts to obtain resources. Their depth lies in the recognition that the true essence of life transcends material possessions. Our purpose in life is not solely defined by the tangible gains we accumulate, but rather by the contributions we make to others and the impact we have on the world. It serves as a reminder that material wealth can provide sustenance and comfort, yet it is through our acts of giving, whether it be our time, kindness, or resources, that we find fulfillment and create a meaningful existence.
What we have is gift, given to us for the good of the world, the community, the neighborhood, not just for ourselves. We must ask ourselves: What, in the end, really matters? I think we all know the answer. In our reading Jesus tells us that “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” We must “…seek first God’s kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” because “…it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Stewardship isn’t rocket science folks, it’s actually quite simple.
Greed causes us to lose sight of what’s really important and, ultimately, makes us miserable. Rather than focus on what we have been given from God that can and will sustain us in all situations and circumstances—we focus what we don’t have. As I see it, this is real poverty, not the abundance into which Jesus invites us.