Rich Toward God

Luke 12:13-21

Father Mark’s sermon reflects on Jesus’ parable of the rich fool, reminding us that true life is not found in possessions but in the abundance of God’s grace and generosity. He begins by highlighting how nature, with its volunteer plants springing up unbidden, mirrors the overflowing generosity of God’s creation. The earth produces abundantly not because of human effort alone, but because of God’s sustaining hand. This abundance calls us not to hoard or claim ownership, but to participate in the divine cycle of giving and receiving life.

The rich man in Jesus’ parable misses this truth, focusing only on storing up wealth for himself, thinking material goods can secure his soul. As Bible scholar John Shea notes, the soul is not sustained by possessions but by “flow”—the ongoing exchange of love, generosity, and divine life. Greed, whether for money, power, fame, or anything else, creates a false promise that more will satisfy our longing for security. Yet greed only leaves us empty, chasing an illusion of salvation that objects of desire can never provide.

Father Mark concludes by pointing us toward the “wealth of our inner resources,” the treasures of the Kingdom of God that live within us. Rather than striving for earthly riches that perish, we are called to cultivate integrity, generosity, and connection with God and others. The soul thrives not by clinging to possessions but by joining in the flow of divine love and abundance—a life rich toward God rather than rich in worldly terms.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.