Rich Toward God

Rich Toward God

Reflection on Luke 12:13–21

In this Gospel passage, someone in the crowd asks Jesus to settle a dispute over inheritance. Instead of taking sides, Jesus responds with a warning: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” He then tells the parable of the rich fool—a man who hoarded his harvest and built bigger barns to store his wealth, saying to himself, “You have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God calls him a fool, saying, “This very night your life will be demanded of you.”

The message of this parable is both simple and profound: wealth, comfort, and security can easily deceive us into thinking that life is about accumulation. Yet Jesus reminds us that true life—eternal life—cannot be measured by what we own, but by who we belong to. Our worth is not found in possessions, but in our relationship with God.

In our modern world, it’s easy to fall into the same trap as the rich man. We work hard, save up, and build our “barns”—our bank accounts, homes, careers, or even our reputations—thinking these will secure our happiness. But the truth is, all these things are temporary. The question that confronts us is not how much we have, but how much of ourselves we have given to God and others.

Jesus is not condemning wealth itself, but the attitude that comes with it—the illusion of self-sufficiency. When we put our trust in material abundance rather than in the Lord, we become spiritually poor, even if we are materially rich. To be “rich toward God” means to live a life of gratitude, generosity, and faith—investing not in barns, but in love; not in possessions, but in mercy; not in treasures on earth, but in treasures of heaven.

So today, let us ask ourselves: Where is my treasure? What am I building my life upon? Do I spend more time accumulating things or deepening my relationship with the Lord?

Key Takeaway:
True wealth is not measured by what we possess, but by what we give and how deeply we trust in God. To be rich toward God is to live with generosity, faith, and detachment from the false security of worldly goods.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach us to seek the treasures that last forever. Free our hearts from greed and selfishness, and help us to trust in Your providence. May we learn to be generous in love, compassionate to others, and rich in faith. Amen.