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TURN VANITY TO RICHES

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Oct 7
  • 3 min read

Today’s Readings:

Ecclesiastes 1:2,2:21-23

Psalm 90:3-6,12-14,17;

Colossians 3:1-5,9-11

Luke 12:13-21             

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Why did Jesus tell the story of the rich fool?

Jesus responds to the call by someone in the crowd to intervene in a family dispute over wealth. Jesus says: “Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs” (Luke 12:15). Jesus is warning against covetousness, which is the inordinate attachment to wealth for a sense of security. Covetousness can consume the soul. It begins subtly by demanding what is fair (for what you think you deserve). But if unchecked, it evolves from gratitude for God’s gifts to entitlement over what you want, from stewardship to ownership, from generosity to greed.


Here are some more lessons from today’s liturgy:

  • Wealth provides a false sense of security, comfort and control, while betraying a poverty of purpose.

  • The rich fool worshipped himself (he says “I”, “Me”, “My” 11 times). He was blind to God, to others and even his bloated ego. In selfishness, he thought, planned and built only for himself, with no mention of God, gratitude and no hint of humility.

  • Death can render all that you have built worthless, except you are wise enough to invest in eternity. The rich man in the Gospel had everything except wisdom. He had barns full of crops but a soul empty of grace. He planned for years of comfort but not for a second beyond the grave.

  • Jesus’ story does not glorify poverty or shame wealth. He calls us to examine where we find our identity. Your identity is in Christ, not what you own. Your sense of security should be in salvation, not earthly insurance.

  • Be rich in the things of heaven. Wealth is not evil, but do not worship it. Build altars instead of barns, secure eternity and not just a few more years on earth. Build bigger bridges to bless others instead of bigger barns to store things you will never use. Let your name echo in heaven and not just in your account balance.

  • To be rich in God is to live in a spirit of generosity, stewardship and gratitude. Trust God as your source and acknowledge that all you have is a gift from Him.

  • Use your riches to glorify God by supporting the Church, lifting the poor, and helping others.

  • Today’s barns look like bank accounts, stock portfolios, real estate, academic qualifications, social media followers and fame. Planning is good, saving is wise, but never believe that they will save your soul.

  • In a culture obsessed with storage, status and selfies, surrender to God, serve Him and grow in holiness. Live according to heaven’s standards, where faith is more valuable than fame, compassion is worth more than capital, obedience is greater than ownership, and gratitude is worth more than gold.

  • Eternity is much longer than time. So, forgive freely, give more generously, serve more humbly. Worry less about what you have and more about what you can give. This is the investment strategy that Jesus recommends.

                                                                                    JUDE-MARY OWOH



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

 If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.



Prayer:

  1. May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. May the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from His temple and give you aid from heaven. May He accept your offering and be pleased with all your sacrifices. May he give you what you desire and make all your plans succeed. The Lord will answer you when you call. Amen.

  2. May God grant you the faith to store up riches in heaven, the love to build up others and the hope to look forward to true and lasting happiness forever. Amen. A blessed Sunday to you.

 
 
 

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