Jesus tells a number of parables about relying on God and striving for the Kingdom that are included in the twelfth chapter of Luke. The first one (12:13-21) is in response to a demand from someone in the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me (v.13).” Jesus replies, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (v.15)” and then he tells the crowd a parable about a rich fool. This parable is one that I have always found interesting. The man in the story seems to be planning for his retirement. He plans to store up his savings of grain and goods and ‘relax, eat, drink, be merry’ for many years to come. “But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be (v.20)?”
Is this story saying that we should not save for the future? It is certainly saying that we cannot put our faith in our possessions or our wealth. It is only when we are rich toward God that we are safe. Jesus explains this parable further to his disciples. He tells them “therefore…do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing (vv.22-23).” He repeats the command not to worry or be afraid 5 times in verses 22-40. God will provide just as God provides for the birds and the lilies; therefore, we should not concern ourselves with that. As Jesus is recorded as teaching (12:31-34) to his disciples: For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The ethical statement of this parable then seems to be that we should not be storing up our wealth for an unknown future here. We should not be concerned about how much money we will have to retire or even whether or not we can retire. “The fact is, says Jesus, that anxiety reflects a lack of trust in God, a lack of interest in the kingdom, [and] is not productive.”[5] We should not be concerned with the things of this present age like what we are to eat, drink, and wear. The Lord knows what we need and, like the father when his child asks for an egg (Luke 11:13), He will provide what is needed (12:31). Rather than be concerned about financial matters, we would be better to strive for the Kingdom of God and do the will of the Father.
Jesus no sooner concludes his explanation of the parable of the rich fool than he launches into another parable, this one about a watchful slave (12:35-40). It is telling his disciples to “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour (v.40).”
When Jesus is questioned further about this by Peter who asks, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone (v.41),” he responds with an elaboration upon or a continuation of the previous parable (v.42-47). Jesus states that “blessed is the slave that the master will find at work when he arrives (v.45).” This is an encouragement and a warning that we should maintain a good solid work ethic for our master and His Kingdom. We should not indulge ourselves at the expense of others thinking that he will not return soon for “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful (v.46).”
There are a couple of interesting ideas that are raised at this point in the parable. If we do not continue working faithfully for God and if we abuse our fellow workers we will be cut to pieces like the unfaithful - those who are not his servants. It is also interesting that the punishment is not reserved only for those who actively abuse others. There is a ‘severe beating’ awaiting those who know what the master wants and yet do not to do it. Ignorance of the master’s will does not spare one a beating if their actions merit it. Although “answerability is proportional to awareness,”[6] ignorance is not an excuse: the guilty, however ignorant they may be, are still responsible for their actions. Jesus further states that “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded (12:48).” This parable is significant for those of us in the Church. We cannot ignore the will of the Father. We have been given knowledge and - in contemporary western nations - much more than that. If we spend our time indulging ourselves and abusing others, we will be cut to pieces. If we even relax our efforts for the Kingdom, a beating is awaiting us. I find it interesting also that this parable does seem (based on the related words[7] and the statements in 12:22 and 41) to be built upon the foundation laid in the parable of the rich fool. In that case, if we do store up our wealth in banks, investments, and possessions (v.21) on earth instead of selling our belongings and giving alms (v.33), then we are worrying about ourselves rather than getting ready and working for the Kingdom and that would be a mistake because we need instead to be the ‘faithful and prudent manager’ (v.42) who is found ready (v.40) and working (v.43) when his master returns.
In whom or what do we put our trust for now and the future?
Is this story saying that we should not save for the future? It is certainly saying that we cannot put our faith in our possessions or our wealth. It is only when we are rich toward God that we are safe. Jesus explains this parable further to his disciples. He tells them “therefore…do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing (vv.22-23).” He repeats the command not to worry or be afraid 5 times in verses 22-40. God will provide just as God provides for the birds and the lilies; therefore, we should not concern ourselves with that. As Jesus is recorded as teaching (12:31-34) to his disciples: For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The ethical statement of this parable then seems to be that we should not be storing up our wealth for an unknown future here. We should not be concerned about how much money we will have to retire or even whether or not we can retire. “The fact is, says Jesus, that anxiety reflects a lack of trust in God, a lack of interest in the kingdom, [and] is not productive.”[5] We should not be concerned with the things of this present age like what we are to eat, drink, and wear. The Lord knows what we need and, like the father when his child asks for an egg (Luke 11:13), He will provide what is needed (12:31). Rather than be concerned about financial matters, we would be better to strive for the Kingdom of God and do the will of the Father.
Jesus no sooner concludes his explanation of the parable of the rich fool than he launches into another parable, this one about a watchful slave (12:35-40). It is telling his disciples to “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour (v.40).”
When Jesus is questioned further about this by Peter who asks, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone (v.41),” he responds with an elaboration upon or a continuation of the previous parable (v.42-47). Jesus states that “blessed is the slave that the master will find at work when he arrives (v.45).” This is an encouragement and a warning that we should maintain a good solid work ethic for our master and His Kingdom. We should not indulge ourselves at the expense of others thinking that he will not return soon for “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful (v.46).”
There are a couple of interesting ideas that are raised at this point in the parable. If we do not continue working faithfully for God and if we abuse our fellow workers we will be cut to pieces like the unfaithful - those who are not his servants. It is also interesting that the punishment is not reserved only for those who actively abuse others. There is a ‘severe beating’ awaiting those who know what the master wants and yet do not to do it. Ignorance of the master’s will does not spare one a beating if their actions merit it. Although “answerability is proportional to awareness,”[6] ignorance is not an excuse: the guilty, however ignorant they may be, are still responsible for their actions. Jesus further states that “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded (12:48).” This parable is significant for those of us in the Church. We cannot ignore the will of the Father. We have been given knowledge and - in contemporary western nations - much more than that. If we spend our time indulging ourselves and abusing others, we will be cut to pieces. If we even relax our efforts for the Kingdom, a beating is awaiting us. I find it interesting also that this parable does seem (based on the related words[7] and the statements in 12:22 and 41) to be built upon the foundation laid in the parable of the rich fool. In that case, if we do store up our wealth in banks, investments, and possessions (v.21) on earth instead of selling our belongings and giving alms (v.33), then we are worrying about ourselves rather than getting ready and working for the Kingdom and that would be a mistake because we need instead to be the ‘faithful and prudent manager’ (v.42) who is found ready (v.40) and working (v.43) when his master returns.
In whom or what do we put our trust for now and the future?
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