Sermon - Thanksgiving Eve - Luke 12:13-21

 

Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.

A blessed Thanksgiving Eve to you, as again we come to that national holiday which our church also observes – a day set aside to give thanks to God for his blessings.

This year, we are using the readings appointed for a “Harvest Observance”, which certainly have quite a bit to teach us about thankfulness.

In our Deuteronomy reading, we see instructions for the people to give a thank offering of the first fruits of the harvest.  There, God reminds the people to be thankful not only for the harvest itself, but for the land that produces it, and the fact that all of this is given by the God who saved them and brought them out of Egypt.  He saved them from slavery and brought them to a land flowing with milk and honey.  Rehearsing and recounting God’s goodness is always a beneficial exercise, and is part of the process of giving thanks rightly.

Paul teaches the Corinthians in our Epistle reading about the importance of cheerful giving, generous giving, freely and out of the heart.  He notes how the gifts of the Corinthians are providing support for fellow Christians in need, and that all of it flows from the surpassing grace of God’s inexpressible gift!  Thanks is given in word and in action, and in response to the gifts we receive first from God.

And then there’s Jesus’ parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12.  Here we will spend a little more time this evening.  Jesus tells this parable in response to a request from someone to settle an inheritance dispute.  Jesus answers the man somewhat tersely, “who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”  Jesus couldn’t be less concerned with such earthly matters, and warns his people about the dangers of covetousness.

Coveting, we learn, in the 9^th and 10^th commandment, is a dangerous sin.  Whether it’s your neighbors house (that is, his possessions), or his wife, manservant, maidservant, ox or donkey, (that is, his relationships).  In any case it’s never good to have that sinful, covetous desire for what belongs to another.

The “coveting commandments” teach us that sin exists not only in word and deed, but also in our thoughts and desires.  Desires are not wrong in themselves, but they can be sinful and twisted.  Coveting is such a desire – a sinful lust for someone or something that belongs to another.

And covetousness is the exact opposite of contentment.  Being content with the gifts, the many gifts, each of us has been given.  Recognizing them as gifts from God, and counting them in appreciation.  Your home, your family, your health, your wealth.  It is good to reflect on this things and consider God’s goodness in providing for us so richly.

And so Jesus tells the parable of the Rich Fool.  And the point of it is this principle:  “Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

For the Rich Fool, that’s all he could see in life – was the abundance of his possessions.  When even more abundant possessions came his way, all he could think of was keeping them and having even more!  It seems that his wealth was all he cared about in life, and planned his whole life around it.  He built ever bigger barns to selfishly keep it all for himself. 

He even had a little conversation with himself, deciding how best to serve himself, and he said, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”

But the sad surprise for the Rich Fool is that his soul would not be around to enjoy the ample goods for long.  That very night his soul was required of him.  So what of all his barn building and expanding, his hoarding of treasures and his selfish plans?  All for naught.

Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.  Then where DOES life consist?  Of course, we must answer, “in Jesus Christ!”

Had this Rich Fool known Christ, how things might have been different!  Surely he would have given a thought to the giver of his bumper crop.  Surely he would have considered and received his gifts with thanksgiving.  Surely he would have at least returned a portion of his blessings, rather than simply and automatically building more barns for himself!

Maybe the Rich Fool, had he been wise instead, would have had a different conversation with himself.  “I have all these extra blessings.  What shall I do?  First, I will give thanks.  I will acknowledge the Giver of all good things in my thoughts, my words, and my deeds.  I will pray a prayer of thanksgiving.  I will show my gratitude in my life, and be generous with those who have less.  I will not grasp and strain for more, more, more, but be content with the abundant blessings I’ve received.”

Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, it consists in the love of God shown to us in Jesus Christ, a love which is to be shared.  Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  And the sharing of our faith is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.  Life consists in Christ and his word, for his words are spirit and life.

These, my friends, are the true riches.  The treasures of heaven, which make us rich toward God.  Here is where true wealth is found, in the blood of Christ, in sins forgiven, in the promise of life eternal.

What a different perspective the Christian has!  We see these earthly treasures for what they are – good gifts from God, yes.  Things to be thankful for, yes.  But like all things of the world – temporary and fading.  Not to be hoarded, but managed wisely, and used generously.

Thanks be to God, this evening, tomorrow, and always.  He blesses us richly now, and has laid up for us all the treasures of heaven.  He has given us the treasure of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God, in his name.  Amen.