How Much Possession is Enough?

In Luke's gospel lesson, Jesus reminds his audience and us that, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Today, where accumulating wealth is often a goal, what does this message mean for us? What is Jesus truly offering?

A New York Times advertisement asks, “Want to Retire Comfortably? If you have a One Million Dollar portfolio or more, download this link.” Such a figure can feel overwhelming. The recommended retirement savings in this country is $1.46 million, a sum most Americans will not reach by retirement. And if you have accumulated it, what are the guarantees you’ll live to enjoy it?

Only a small portion of Americans accumulate seven-figure retirement savings. Many rely on Social Security, home equity, or downsizing their living situations. And, even so, the longer you live, the more extensive the problem.

This reality is sobering, and it highlights how individual and varied each person’s retirement journey can be. Many work hard and diligently to get close to this goal, but not all will likely leave substantial inheritances to their children.

In Biblical times, particularly in the ancient Near East, inheritance worked differently. Inheritance was patriarchal—eldest sons received a double share (Deuteronomy 21:17). The assets were mainly land and livestock that were passed down.

Over time, this inheritance culture evolved. Today, we encourage our children to advance themselves intellectually, broaden their horizons, and build wealth for themselves. The idea created the lyrics, “Mama may have, Papa may have—but God bless the child that’s got his own.”

Yet, wealth accumulation can be a barrier and a distraction that shifts our focus away from what truly matters.

In today’s gospel, when the man in the crowd asks Jesus to divide the family inheritance, his request seems reasonable to ordinary ears. But Jesus looks deeper, so he responded not to the request, but to the heart behind his request. He uses the moment and tells a parable about a man who builds bigger barns to store his plentiful harvest, believing he can now relax and enjoy life. At first glance, the connection between the request and the parable seems weak. But in truth, Jesus is doing what he often does: redirecting the conversation to expose a spiritual and deeper issue.

In the parable, the rich man’s fields produce a surplus harvest. That’s hard work. Unsure how to store all this abundance, tears down his smaller barns and builds larger ones. Believing he has stored enough to relax for several years and live off what he has earned, he congratulates himself and says, ‘soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years, relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God says, “You fool! This very night, your life will be demanded from you.”

Let’s understand the facts: Jesus isn’t critiquing the size of the man’s barns. Instead, Jesus highlights the danger of self-centeredness and presuming on the future. So, let’s get this clear: The lesson is not about financial planning or even how much we accumulate, but about the folly of thinking we are in control. God says to this man who filled his barns, “… you are not in control – today is the end of your life. The things you have prepared, who did you store them for?”

The parable is a reminder that possessions are fleeting, and true richness is found in being “rich toward God.” As Christians, our identity flows from baptism into Christ. What matters most is how God sees us, not our possessions or achievements, but our hearts - who we are in Christ Jesus.

Later, in Luke 18, a wealthy ruler cannot part with his possessions and leaves Jesus saddened (Luke 18:25). And the Psalm for today reminds us that ‘those who put their trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches don’t live forever. Though they trample on people, and call the lands after their names, they too perish like beasts (Psalm 49:10-11).

Here's a modern parable: A man, Elias, worked hard, saved diligently, and built a life of stability. His barns were full. But as he grew older, he wondered if he had taught his children how to live, or only how to earn. What legacy would he leave?

One night, his daughter Miriam asked, “Papa, what do you want us to remember most?” He looked at his accounting ledger, then at his old personal journal filled with memories, prayers, and lessons. “The barns are good—they kept us safe and alive,” he says. “But there’s a difference between safety and life. And this,” he said, touching his journal, “is what kept me truly alive.” He continued, “I rely on God, and he never asked me to neglect the future. He asked me to trust Him with it. To prepare, but not to hoard. To save, but also to give.”

When he passed away, his children inherited more than money—they received wisdom. They became givers, mentors, and compassionate people, passing along not just provision, but perspective.

Today, we hear slogans like ‘Make America Great Again,’ but in God’s eyes, greatness isn’t in stock markets or military might. True greatness is measured by mercy, justice, and love. Scripture reminds us: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17), and another scripture reads, “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty” (Luke 1:53).

Let’s be careful of the legacy we are building individually and as a nation.  Jesus isn’t telling us to empty our savings accounts, but to empty our hearts of greed. He calls us to prepare for tomorrow with eternity in mind. To be rich toward God is to invest in love over luxury, give generously rather than grudgingly, and live with open hands instead of closed fists. Today, consider doing the following:

Amen.