Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ (Luke 12: 16 -19, The Message Bible)

                 I keep building bigger barns and it is never enough!

                I have two computer games which I play regularly which have either a barn or storage buildings. I started out with very low capacities to store the materials which I need for other parts of the games. Over time though, I have been able to increase those limits and therefore store more stuff. I have come a long way from the early days when I started.  But nevertheless, I always quickly fill up the current  barns and end up needing bigger barns and more storage. It is an endless cycle. Bigger barn – more stuff. Need an even bigger barn – more stuff. Build a bigger barn yet again – acquire more stuff. Barn is still not big enough. Will this madness ever end?

                It is just a silly game, not life and death.

                But for the man in Jesus’ parable, it was life and death. Jesus has told this parable as a warning against greed, materialism and perhaps thinking that possessions are the be all and end all in living. When bigger barns become our raison d’etre, we are missing out on the full grace, blessings and gift God has to bestow, not to mention eternal life.

                The parable doesn’t tell us that the rich man wouldn’t get into the Kingdom but it does more than suggest that he had a lot to answer for. One translation puts in this way: “This very night your life is being demanded of you.” (12:20, NRSV) His earthly possessions mean nothing in the eyes of God; thus the expression "you can’t take it with you".  God rewards the person who has given generously, who used their possessions to help others, who gave as much as they received.  

                Perhaps you have seen on those TV shows about people who hoard. At first it probably seemed harmless. But by the time we encounter these folk, hoarding has taken over their lives and their homes. It has become an issue of damaged mental health as they can’t give up even the tiniest bit of garbage. Their homes literally fill up with anything and everything. Nothing gets thrown away. Most live in filth and squalor despite a house full of stuff. Sometimes one can’t walk through a room because of the piles of things. It takes a hard intervention to get them to begin to let go and allow others to help.

                We need some of our possessions but we can’t let our things own us and take over our lives. It is fine to enjoy our possessions but when these same possessions lead to selfishness, greed and a desire to have more and more, then we need to evaluate our priorities and get out from under the heavy burden of bigger barns.

                The man in the parable gets caught under the weight of having so much that it crashes on top of him.

                “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (12:21, The Message)

                Fill your barn with Self – when we fill ourselves up with pride, anger, hatred, prejudice, judgment, self-first, close mindedness, closed- heartedness, we are ourselves become the bigger barns. We keep hoarding that which is of no use and no benefit to ourselves or to others.

                There is an old expression: let go and let God.

                I think it could apply to this situation. Let go of the attitudes and things that keep us from God and others. Don’t place so much value and importance in grabbing all that we can. Take our eyes off the earthly things and instead see and experience the full graciousness of God. Appropriate not abundance of things but appropriate the Love of God and share in his goodness and fullness. Let God be your focus and guide. It’s for the best!

                 “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.”  (Luke 12: 23 – 24, The Message)

                What are you going to do if your life is demanded of you?

 

Dale