Television and modern influencers do not have our best interests at heart. I watch these Christmas movies, and every time there is a tree, there is a mountain of presents beneath it. If you were to add up the amount spent on presents in some of these movies, we are nearing thousands of dollars—an unrealistic sum for the average family. Yet every year, I experience the need to get more and spend more to create a meaningful holiday. I find myself battling these impulses to compete with media narratives. I know it’s not real, but I still feel obligated to it. I also know this feeling subsides once all the presents are opened. After 24 hours, the novelty of what is new wears off, and we go back to wanting more new stuff. We always want more.
In Luke’s Gospel, there is a unique passage where two siblings are arguing about inheritance rights. One is ready to divide the assets, while the other is dragging their feet. The brother with the urgent desire goes before Jesus to speed up the process. Jesus does not engage with the judicial dispute; instead, he gives a lesson on more important matters.
Luke 12:15 ESV – 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
We would do well to commit this to memory. In our current society, we feel this urge to fill our lives with abundance, as if more possessions provide meaning or true fulfillment. Jesus implores us not to be consumed by consumerism. Our desire should not be for other people’s possessions—covetousness—but rather for something far greater, which he will go on to explain.
Luke 12:16-21 “And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”‘ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Some emphasize this passage with the teaching that we should not be greedy. There is wisdom in abstaining from greed; gaining more and more possessions is not the meaning of life. However, what we see is that this rich man was so concerned with acquiring more stuff that he forgot the most important thing. Where are your treasures? Are they in the abundance of possessions? In the things of this world—bigger barns, more grain, relaxation? Or are you building up wealth in regard to God? Jesus will go on to share what that looks like in the following passage, concluding with this sentiment.
Luke 12:31-34 ESV – “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches, and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The emphasis is clear: you can either seek covetousness or God’s kingdom, but not both. If I am concerned about what I get, I am less concerned about what I am giving. If my treasure is about me and my possessions, then my heart has its direction, and it is not pointed toward God and His kingdom. Let’s not be foolish—only one of these things will last beyond opening the presents, so be on your guard.