And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’” vs. 15
Luke 12:13-15
Jesus had narrowly avoided getting involved in a family dispute about an inheritance, an issue that’s been around ever since children began to wonder how their parents’ possessions would be distributed after their deaths. Of course, there are a myriad of laws to cover such occasions and thoughtful estate plans can be helpful, but few families can avoid hurt feelings and deep anger when assets are distributed. There’s never a winner in such disputes and Jesus wisely avoids getting sucked in. He rightly points out to bystanders that the real issue here is greed, more so even than justice or fairness. Of course it’s nice to receive an inheritance, and sometimes the heirlooms being passed down have symbolic value. But the truth is that family treasures will have little or no significance in the quality of our lives. And if it’s money that’s involved, getting a windfall inheritance doesn’t come close to giving the peace and serenity that is at the heart of our yearning. Some people, being aware of such issues, decide to rapidly disperse any goods that are bequeathed to them. In such instances, their generous giving not only defeats the power of greed but also can serve to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
Thought for the Day: Who will benefit from my death? What is my estate plan?
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