There is more to me than just the me I see. There is more to me than the me you see. There is more to me than what might attract outward attention. There is something deeper than outwardly seen. And yet, what is given the most attention? What about your own life?
To illustrate the point that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15), Jesus told the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20); a man who had been blessed more than he seemed to know what to do with. There was no accusation of having attained his abundance by ill means. However, he appeared to only think of himself in connection with what he had amassed rather than giving any consideration toward how he might help others. He could have fed the hungry, but instead fed his own sense of security based on physical wealth. From his own words we see where his focus centered as we read. . .
“(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.” ’” (Luke 12:17-19 ESV)
The focus centered on “I” and “my”. Perhaps that is where his personal identity rested; how he saw himself and how others viewed him as well. Though he spoke to his soul, the focus actually rested squarely on his physical life being duly sustained by the plenty he had attained. But his soul needed to have awakened to the reality of. . .
“(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?’” (Luke 12:20 ESV)
Someone recently posted, “Starve the Ego, Feed the Soul”. Yes, there is the need to guard from a focus of self getting in the way of what will sustain the soul beyond this life. Rather than merely looking into the mirror on the wall, we need to look intently into the mirror for the soul. (note James 1:23-25)
Jesus capped off the parable by stating, “(21) So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21 ESV)
What marks our identity? What are we seeking to have fed? Toward what (Whom) are we rich? We must go deeper than surface things. Though our physical life can have godly purpose, it is still only for this earthly realm while it is the soul that will live on! May our soul truly be fed by God to be nourished toward the blessed eternity He has prepared above!
Have a great day DULY IDENTIFYING THE SOUL’S NEED OF GOD’S NOURISHING!
Carl
