In this week’s Gospel text, a farmer responds to an abundant crop by building extra storage to house his bumper harvest. Isn’t this just what Joseph did in Genesis to avert the ravages of drought? Isn’t it sensible farming practice, given the vagaries of weather and seasons?
As is typical in parables, though, Jesus takes the story in a rather different direction. He highlights the selfishness of the farmer who is thinking only of his own needs and comfortable lifestyle. According to Jesus, such a person is a fool because they are ignoring the ways of God – which include caring for the needs of our neighbours and the poor.
We are immersed in a culture that every day encourages us to hold similar values to the farmer – to chill out, eat, drink and be merry – and ignore the needs of others. We’re tempted to think we are only just getting by – a mindset of scarcity – when in historical and global terms we are living in abundant luxury. The antidote to a greedy lifestyle is to live generously towards others – whether with our money, our time, our hospitality or our compassion. How may God be calling us to bring generous blessing to our neighbours? What will this cost us?