Whose will it be?

"Whose Will It Be?" Fr Jacob Eranat

Jesus is the teacher of the whole world. He taught great truths to the people through parables and examples of daily life. Once he gave this thought- provoking parable of the "rich fool". The parable that St.Luke narrates can be summerised as given below.

Someone came to Jesus and said, "Tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." Jesus listened and spoke to his audience and to us their descendants: "Take care ! Be on your guard against all the abundance of possessions." What Jesus declared 2000 years ago is valid even today. We need to grasp this truth and realize it in our lives. How many are the people who, when the patrimony is divided, use foul means to procure a larger share and deceive their own brothers and sisters ! But what,happens to them finally ? They end up as paupers plunged in adversity. This story is repeated even today.

Keep away from all inordinate desires, exhorted Jesus. And then he told them a parable : "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself. 'What should I do , for I have no place to store my crops ?' Then he said, ‘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, ‘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" (Lk12:13-21).

As of today, in olden times too, there was a section of people-as there will still be in the future-those who accumulate wealth. Not for essential needs but for a life of luxury and to squander. There are those who use devious ways to store up riches and even deceive their own kith and kin. And then they are troubled not knowing how and where to store up all this wealth. The number of sleepless rich men is on the increase nowadays.

Squanderers of wealth — beware !
Today we see a growing number of people who spend lavishly on occasions like Baptism, First Holy Communion and Wedding Anniversaries ! Though they are prodigal in spending on their own selves great is their miserliness. With loss of faith in the stock market and real estate business, the situation has become worse.

Those who are inordinately concerned about amassing wealth easily become a prey to heart attacks and blood pressure. Wealth, like a roaringtion is prowling about to devour men.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus
In order to illustrate the judicious use of wealth, Jesus gave another parable-that of an unnamed rich man and a poor man called Lazarus. Listen to a relevant statement from this parable described in chapter 16 of St Luke’s gospel. Jesus puts this thought-provoking statement on the lips of our patriarch Abraham, enjoying the bliss of heaven. To the rich man, now dead and condemned to hell, Abraham asks, "Child, remember that during your life-time you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony...". He then said something about the rich man’s brothers." They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them...If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!" The rich man was completely dumbfounded.

An examination of conscience:
How have I come into possession of the wealth I own? Have I amassed it by destroying or harming others? Despite knowing that there are others poorer than I, have I accumulated wealth? What are the things that I can, without delay, share with others — material things, ornaments, clothes? Do I desire to give away any thing as a gift? My possessions - to whom will they belong tomorrow if I die today? Have I made a proper will dividing my property equitably among my descendants ?

Concerning priests
Have I submitted the proper documents to the diocesan office with clear injunctions as to the names of those who will inherit my book-collection, patrimony, personal possessions? Have I made any provision for charitable works?

Wealth is a double-edged sword. If I use it well, it can lead me to heaven. Or it can lead me to hell.

Those who pursue wealth will go astray. "One who loves gold will not be justified; one who pursues money will be led astray by it. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face. It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, and every fool will be taken captive by it"(Sir 31:5-7). "The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity. Sweet is the sleep of labourers...but the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep" (Ecc 5:10-12).