A [person’s] life does not consist in the abundance of
his possessions (Luke 12:15).
Luke places this admonishment from Jesus in the context of
priorities: eternal values outweigh temporary ones. He tells those who would
have him arbitrate estate disputes that death has a way of re-ordering what’s
important (12:13-21). To hungry people wondering where their next meal is coming
from, he affirms that if we put God’s kingdom values first, we make room for
him to provide our necessities (12:22-34).
In Matthew, seeking the kingdom first comes right after
Jesus’ enigmatic description of good eyes and bad eyes. If your eyes are
good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your
whole body will be full of darkness (NIV
1984, Matthew 6:22,23). As explained by Gary Manning, in New Testament times an
evil eye symbolized a stingy
heart, and a good eye one
that was generous [8].
Luke situates this good eye / bad eye teaching (11:33-36)
just before Jesus’ woes pronounced upon the Pharisees and the teachers of the
law (vv. 37-53). He seems to be saying that stinginess and generosity covers
more than just finances and possessions. We can be generous or stingy in regard
to spiritual things too. We can say a person’s poverty is his own fault, and we
can make it difficult for seekers to approach Christ, as if there’s not enough
grace to go around.
Being rich toward God requires that we be generous with
people.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
How will you show God’s
generosity this week?
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