There is always a great deal of room for misunderstanding. The challenge of this parable of Jesus is the challenge faced by any sermon or conversation about money. Others can only imagine – and, perhaps, resent. Some may be able to relate to the man who has more than he knows what to do with. So I suspect that when we hear Jesus tell the story of the rich man building larger barns to store his abundant produce, we each hear it a little differently. Still others are under no illusions whatsoever. The promised American dream is always a few more miles, and a few more dollars, away. Just as you think you’re drawing closer, that beautiful oasis fades away to reveal the same hot sand you’ve been plodding through for years. For others, financial independence seems an unreachable dream, a mirage in the desert.
You know you’ll be able to support yourself comfortably for years to come. Or perhaps you’ve received a nice inheritance, and you’ve invested wisely. You’ve reached the age of retirement, or close to it, and found that your hard work and diligent saving has paid off.
Some of you here today actually have achieved achieved “financial independence”. A solid investment portfolio to keep you in luxurious living well into the future. No worries about college tuition for the kids. No credit cards with whopping interest rates. For most Americans, that really would be b e a new relationship re lationship with money. The book apparently hit a nerve with a large segment of the American public with its promise to “transform your relationship with money” and to help you “achieve financial independence.” That is a nice thought, isn’t isn’t it? Financial independence. Or do we? 1 This is the question posed by a national bestseller, entitled Your Money or Your Life, that came out a few decades ago and has enjoyed multiple re-printings and revised editions. Hoyt Fourth Presbyterian Church 26th Sunday after Pentecost Novem“Your Money or Your Life!” Luke 12:13-21 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Your “Your money or your life!” If someone approached you on the street, thrust a gun in your ribs and gave you that choice, what would you do? Most of us would turn over our wallets! Of course, some might say that coming to church during stewardship season can feel like being mugged by mugged by your pastor who issues the threat from the pulpit! “Your “Your money or your life!” The threat works because we value our lives more than we value our money.