Luke 12:16-21 - The Greedy Barns

My wife and I had a prenuptial agreement before we married. It's not what you think. Before we even exchanged wedding vows, we simply agreed on two things: (1) We wouldn't use sarcasm in our home and (2) we would always have books to read.

I think we've kept to the first agreement fairly well. The second agreement took on a life of its own. Somehow, in the dead of night, the books on my shelves created baby books that grew up and made more books. What is one to do, other than buy more bookshelves and bookends?

Now that we are trying to downsize, I'm trying to shake myself loose from books. And a few other things. Twenty-five years ago we moved into a spacious house and told each other, "Look at all the storage area this house has!" After while, all the closets and shelves weren't enough. It reminds me of a story Jesus told...

16 ...“A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:16–21, New Living Translation, 2015

Tsk tsk. Bad farmer. How greedy. How presumptuous. But even if we aren't building unnecessary, bigger barns, we can just as easily collect ______ (fill in the blank) with whatever we think will make us comfortable, content, and happy. We put structures in place to assure ourselves that we are insulated from sorrow and loss in the future.

Forgive me, Lord. I forget that "Life is not measured by how much I own." (Luke 12:15) Loosen my grasp on things so I can invest my life in others, and share with them what You've given on loan to me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Photo: 465 Gold Creek Rd, Goldcreek, MT. When we stopped here in 2020 to let our Golden Doodle stretch his legs, the barn had been converted into a wedding venue.