So you want to be rich?

Everyone does, don't they. I could certainly do with a few more dollars in the pocket. In reality it is not too bad to be want to be rich, that is not the issue at all certainly not when it comes to the parable in Luke's gospel (12.16-21). It, certainly appears that Christ is after the rich considering how he lays into the rich farmer who built extra barns to lay in the hay. In reality this is not the issue and if we are to focus on this aspect then we miss the point and the point of the previous question that also brings a somewhat scathing response (Lk. 12.13-15). The danger for us here is also not greed, although that element is ever present, it is more about our consideration of our actions and their consequences.

The purpose that the rich farmer has is to safe guard the grain from weather and thieves. This is all well and good however his problem is that he sees it as profit for himself. He has no conception of a community and thus no conception of the other. His big issue is the consequence of his action that leaves the community without while there is plenty locked away in the barns. His 'greed' if you will has put in jeopardy the idea of relationship and community. His sole concern is for his profit and his well being. I can retire and not have to struggle from now on. In our own circumstances this is also to an extent where we are at within society. Our struggle is to maintain ourselves and our future with very little care for the other who may be struggling around us. How often I wonder do we pass the person living on the street and say to ourselves "there but for the grace of God go I". In doing so we neglect our first Godly response which should be to reach out in compassion.

Build to create community not barns to house wealth

In the coming week we walk with those on the streets and remember that God's grace is with them as well during this year's reminder of the homeless during Homelessness Week. In our own fashion, just like the farmer in the parable, we look first to ourselves and for our needs. this has been conditioned into our lives from the outset. Countering this is the narrative that suggests we are indeed the first responders to the crisis of homelessness. God's love shown by ourselves in community would ensure that no person goes without shelter. It is a distinct response from society to say that there go the dregs who have only themselves to blame. Yet, if we had our priorities correct as followers of Christ our community would reach out to those who are without. Our first response is to bring shelter and yet throughout history the Church's first response is to build to the glory of God. How much of a greater glory if instead of building structures to house the grain stagnating in faith built structures to house the living.

This is where our treasure is found in the hearts and minds of those around us in the community. It is not in the wonders that come in the barns that we have built but in the compassion found in the relationships that have been formed. Our first response is often to deny the issue or ignore the plea from the other. Our needs must be ministered to first not the other. In reality we are unable to form the bonds of grace by turning away from the cries of the heart. Even God cannot deny his love for Ephraim (Hosea 11.8) but will call his offspring to himself. This is what it means to aspire to Christ to be as compassionate and as loving as God to the other who is ourselves. We put away difference and embrace the other in love even if they are figures of horror on our lives. The Colossian's writer reminds us that the borders of difference are made by our own hands and as such are overcome by our own faith in Christ (Col 3.11). We are the body of Christ which encompasses the whole of creation and most particularly the whole of the Human race despite the differences that are found. So at the end of the day it is out of our riches that we should be caring for the unloved and not ourselves.