Reflection on the Ninth Sunday of Luke
Luke 12:16-21
Luke 12:16-21
By St. Theophan the Recluse
Having
spoken the parable about the man who became rich and planned to just
eat, drink and be merry, and for this was struck with death, not
remaining alive for the supposed pleasures, the Lord concluded: "So is
he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
“So”—that
is, such occurs, or such a lot befalls both these and others. Those who
become rich and forget about God only think about pleasures of the
flesh. Let those who desire to avoid this bitter lot “lay up” not “unto
themselves, but be rich only toward God.” Since riches come from God,
then devote them to God when they flow, and holy riches will come of
it.
Divide
all surplus with the needy: this will be the same as returning to God
what was given by God. He who gives to a poor person gives to God.
Seemingly exhausting his riches, such a person becomes truly rich—rich
through good deeds, rich for God. In pleasing Him he becomes rich in
God, and by attracting His good will, he becomes rich from God, Who
makes one who is faithful over a few things, ruler over many things. He
becomes rich toward God, and not toward himself, for he does not
consider himself to be master of the house, but only a steward and
accountant, whose entire concern consists of satisfying all who come to
him in need. But he fears spending anything in particular on himself,
considering it to be an improper usage of property entrusted to him.