Richard Foster: Carefree unconcern for possessions

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Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:32-34

“He exhorted the rich young ruler not just to have an inner attitude of detachment from his possessions, but literally to get rid of his possessions if he wanted the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:16–22). He says, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

He counseled people who came seeking God, “Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail…” (Luke 12:33). He told the parable of the rich farmer whose life centered in hoarding—we would call him prudent; Jesus called him a fool (Luke 12:16–21). He states that if we really want the kingdom of God we must, like a merchant in search of fine pearls, be willing to sell everything we have to get it (Matt. 13:45-46).

He calls all who would follow Him to a joyful life of carefree unconcern for possessions: “Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again” (Luke 6:30). Jesus speaks to the question of economics more than any other single social issue. If, in a comparatively simple society, our Lord lays such strong emphasis upon the spiritual dangers of wealth, how much more should we who live in a highly affluent culture take seriously the economic question.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 83.

Jesus gives explicit instructions on wealth because He knows things we only discover in obedience. For example, whatever we think we own, owns us. Whatever we hold on to becomes the object of our trust. That’s why, like Elsa, He says, “Let it go! Let it go!”

He also knows that fear keeps us from obeying. Fear of not having enough money to live, give, serve, and love generously. So we hoard and we never have enough. Others have posited a target number.

They reason that I will earn a certain number and then serve God. The irony is that their focus is that number to sustain them. Again, such people ignore Jesus acting as if they know better.

I think Luke put the parable of the mina at the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus because it brings all His teachings together. If we see ourselves as servants with a mina, everything makes sense. A mina was three months income.

A mina was all a steward needed to be fruitful. When the mina produced more, they returned the gain to the Master. The faithful stewards “Let it go! Let it go!” They did not bury it but put it to work. And they always had enough under the Master’s care.

God forgive us from seeing gain as belonging to us. Holy Spirit convict us to let go of wealth so our hands are free to cling to you. And Jesus, thanks for pointing the way to carefree unconcern for possessions because of your great love. Amen.