Dying to Greed, Rising to Generosity

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³ Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher,^(A) tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴ “Friend,”^[a] he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard^(B) against all greed,^(C) because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”^(D)

¹⁶ Then he told them a parable:^(E) “A rich^(F) man’s land was very productive. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? ¹⁸ I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. ¹⁹ Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy;^(G) eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’^(H)

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool!^(I) This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’^(J)

²¹ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure^(K) for himself and is not rich toward God.”^(L)

The Cure for Anxiety

²² Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you,^(M) don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear.^{(N) 23} For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens:^(O) They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them.^(P) Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? ²⁵ Can any of you add one moment to his life span^[b] by worrying?^{(Q) 26} If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?

²⁷ “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon^(R) in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. ²⁸ If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith?^{(S) 29} Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. ³⁰ For the Gentile world eagerly seeks^(T) all these things, and your Father^(U) knows that you need them.

³¹ “But seek his kingdom,^(V) and these things will be provided for you.^{(W) 32} Don’t be afraid,^(X) little flock,^(Y) because your Father delights^(Z) to give you the kingdom.^{(AA) 33} Sell^(AB) your possessions and give to the poor.^(AC) Make money-bags^(AD) for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure^(AE) in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.