Rich Fool (2)

September 20, 2021

 Scripture

 And I will say to my soul, “‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. (Luke 12:19-23 NRSV)

 Rich Fool (2)

A response to last week’s thought response opened the deep story archives of my alleged mind. This story is not as old as Jesus’ story but goes back to the financial crash of 1987, very early in Touchstone’s life. A senior partner of a big accounting firm was referred to me about his crazily complex spiritual search involving a girlfriend, a wife and kids. A tangled mess it was.

Over lunch he told me that in spite of his wealth he was unable to give charitably because he had borrowed extensively for some large investments. I listened with interest and said I would look forward to our next meeting after he returned from a swing through Europe to service some major clients.

While he was away the market crashed and our next lunch was a sad tale of lost investments and retained debt, so he was up against it now. I cheekily asked “If you had liquidated your investments, paid off the debt and gave the balance away, would you be further ahead financially today than you are now with all your debt?”. He laughed and said, “Absolutely”.

Now some of you will say, “Just shows you shouldn’t get over-leveraged with investment debt”. Probably sound advice but it also is a reminder that the true value of what we possess is fleeting at best and in the long run will be measured by how generously and hospitably it is employed. Something for us all to consider as we see the results of today’s election and set the next course for our personal, community and national lives.

 A Prayer for Today

 Lord Jesus Christ you are the holy light of the world. Thank you for stories that warn us to understand how easily greed and acquisitive desire can kill awareness of the needs around us. Thanks for shining your light to see our lives, our souls and our possessions as “demand loans” from you, our heavenly investor.

Let your light go ahead of us to see the opportunities and pitfalls that await us. Spirit of God, empower us to do right and to do good for you and our community…for Jesus’ sake