Being Prepared

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16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’" (Luke 12:16-20)

When a man approached Jesus asking that Jesus tell his brother to share their inheritance, it doesn't seem like an unreasonable request - even if Jesus wasn't the right person to arbitrate. The man clearly respected Jesus' authority, and believed his brother would as well. Jesus' answer was directed at both the man and his brother - as well as everyone listening. He instructed them to guard against greed because life is more than having an abundance of things. But then Jesus went on to tell the story of a man who decided to build a storage facility and set aside provisions for his future. In the story, God called the man a fool because he would not live long enough to enjoy what he had stored up for himself. This seems both harsh and against everything we've been

taught about being responsible people.

It feels satisfying to be prepared - to believe that we've done all the things we're "supposed to do" to be ready for the next thing. But preparation can be deceptive. We may, even subconsciously, believe that we're making a deal with God - that if we do our part, God will either provide an outcome according to our plan or save us from hardship. But God has made no such promise. On the contrary, Jesus promised that we will have trouble in this life but that we can overcome because he has overcome even death. Yet, it's likely that Jesus wasn't against the preparation itself but the heart and intent behind it. The man in Jesus' story wasn't planning to help others with his provisions or his freed up time - he wanted to enjoy it all for himself. He was also putting his hope and his trust in his provisions rather than in the Provider. Jesus calls us to check our heart in all matters. Loving God and neighbor in and through every aspect of our lives must be our primary mission and goal. And trusting God with all that we have and all that we are is the only way to truly be prepared for whatever we may face.

13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,

and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;

death will be their shepherd

(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).

Their forms will decay in the grave,

far from their princely mansions.

15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;

he will surely take me to himself.

16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,

when the splendor of their houses increases;

17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,

their splendor will not descend with them.

18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—

and people praise you when you prosper—

19 they will join those who have gone before them,

who will never again see the light of life.

20 People who have wealth but lack understanding

are like the beasts that perish.

(Psalm 49: 13-20)