St Andrew’s Milngavie 7th Sunday after Trinity 2025
Today we celebrated the 7th Sunday after Trinity accompanied by Alison.
This Week
Tuesday 10am – Prayer Group in the Garden Room
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House.
Readings for next Sunday – 8th Sunday after Trinity – Genesis 15:1-6 Hebrews11:11-3,8-16 Luke 12:32-40
Today’s readings – Ecclesiastes 1:2,12-14;2:18-23, Colossians:3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21
One of the joys of being away on holiday I find is holiday reading, the chance to sit at any time of day and consume various novels, nothing too taxing but stimulating and gripping.
But as well as reading the book I also like to read the reviews. To ponder people’s different take on a storyline or character development. One of the most common remarks is a dislike of the main characters and that is usually because it is felt that they are selfish – self-absorbed and greedy, therefore, less attractive and likable. But that is so often the case. When I think of the lesser moments in my life selfishness has usually been at its core.
The gospel reading today also has selfishness at its core. It a parable not so much about death – death of the Rich Fool but life and how we should live it.
Jesus was teaching his disciples when he was interrupted by someone who wanted him to resolve a family dispute over inheritance. The man was not really asking for advice, but rather he wanted Jesus to take his side and so he says “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Luke 12:13
But Jesus was having none of it. Instead, he told the following parable: the story of the farmer who wanted to store his excess crops to secure his future. Like so many of the parables the story is very every day in character. The farmer is not portrayed as wicked in the sense that he has not gained his wealth illegally or by taking advantage of others. He is not portrayed as particularly greedy. Indeed, he seems to be somewhat surprised by his good fortune as he makes what appears to be reasonable plans to reap the abundance of the harvest.
What is wrong, we might therefore ask, about building larger barns to store away, some of today’s bounty for a potentially leaner tomorrow? Nothing, except for two things.
First, the farmer’s consistent focus throughout the conversation he has with himself is all in the first person.
“What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?”
“I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul….take life easy, eat drink and be merry” Luke 12:18
The relentless use of the first person pronouns “I” and “my” betray a preoccupation with self. There is no thought to using the abundance to help others, no expression of gratitude for his good fortune, no recognition of God at all.
This leads to his second mistake. He is not foolish because he makes provision for the future; he is foolish because he believes that by his wealth, he can secure his future:
“Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” Luke 12:19
But it doesn’t happen.
In this parable Jesus reminds his followers and us that life is about more than possessions. Life is about a loving relationship with God. That is what we are made for. When our earthly life is over our possessions are left behind but if we have cultivated our relationship with God then life goes on in God’s eternal kingdom.
Jesus isn’t saying that we should have no material possessions at all – shouldn’t enjoy the good thing we have but there is another dynamic – the love of God. A love that teaches us the value of giving rather than receiving.
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15 Jesus warns the crowd.
Continuing the theme Paul says in his letter to the Colossians this morning “Set your minds on things which are above, not on things which are on earth” Colossians 3:2
And in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus makes it quite clear where our priorities should lie
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Enough they say is as good as a feast. And the feast we have come together to share today is a reminder of God’s all sufficient love. And a taster of that feast we will share in heaven.
“Feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving” we say at the invitation to Communion.
For if we have faith we have enough.