Jesus saw how people often seemed to put themselves first. They seemed to be thinking, “It’s all about me!” These people sometimes thought about other people, people who did not have enough of some things, but they didn’t think about them very much, and their thinking did not often cause them to do anything for people in need. Jesus also saw that many of the people who thought mostly about getting stuff for themselves, didn’t really need more stuff.

Has your mom or dad ever said to you, “You don’t need any more toys; you have too many already.” [Accept all answers]. Life is not about getting as much as you can for yourself. If you learn that, you will be a happy person!

Jesus told a story about a very rich man. He had a huge farm; and it was a very good farm. His fields and orchards had lots of wheat, lots of figs, lots of grapes, vegetables––much, much more than one man could eat!

What do you think the rich man could have done with all that food? [Sell it, give it to the hungry, etc. Accept all answers].

But do you know what the rich man did? He went to look at his barns and they were all stuffed with food. So…he tore them down and built bigger barns and stuffed all his food into his new barns!

The rich man sat back in his favorite chair and said to himself, “Soul, you have many goods, stored up for many years. Take your ease; eat, drink, be merry!” Is he planning to give any of his food to the poor? Is he thinking of others? Is he asking himself about what God expects him to do with the extra food? [Accept all answers].

That night, the rich man heard from someone. He heard from God! God said to him: “You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared­­––whose will they be?”

Oh boy; tonight the rich man will die, says God. Then what use will all his barns full of food be? He should have been doing God’s will all these years. He should have cared about hungry people instead of keeping it all for himself. He should have piled up works of love instead of piling up food!

Jesus said that a man like this may think he is rich, but really being rich is having years of love and compassion that he has shared. A grown man should know this.

I have a little saying that I like. Listen:

Don’t be greedy;

help the needy!

Now say that with me:

Don’t be greedy;

help the needy!

One more time to make sure you have it. Loudly this time:

Don’t be greedy;

help the needy!

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2013, Richard Niell Donovan