excerpt from "The Story of the Greedy Farmer"
When it comes to relationships, we have a choice as to how we will relate to one another. The question becomes, which type of relationship do you want and are you willing to step out in love?
The beginning of this sermon revolved around stuff and has now ended up talking about relationships. That’s the way it is with God. The stuff that we have accumulated means nothing if we don’t have a relationship with God and with our neighbors. God reaches out to us in so many ways – he offers us salvation through his son Jesus Christ – he gives us rules to live by and lessons like this one about the greedy farmer so we can take a good look at our lives and decide if we are living as people who follow Christ or our own desires.
I was talking to a dear friend of mine yesterday and she reminded me of a quote attributed to John Lennon “Life is what happens to you when you make other plans.” So do you plan to build a bigger barn for that bigger crop? or a bigger house for all that stuff? or a bigger motorcycle? or a bigger boat? We can make all the plans in the world but as this story so vividly points out – it may all be in vain because we may go to be with God tonight.
In William Barclay’s commentary on this scripture he relays a story about a young and ambitious person having a conversation with an older person who had experienced life. Said the younger “I’m planning to go off to college or technical school and get ready for my carreer.” “And then?” said the older. “I will set up my business or start my occupation.” “And then?” “I will make my fortune.” “And then?” “I suppose I will retire and live on all the money I have saved.” “And then?” “Well, I guess that one day I will die.” “And then?”
As we are living this life – in many cases a life of abundance, we must keep it clear that there is another life destined for us some day. Accumulating more material “stuff” doesn’t really help us get ready for our eternity with God – does it?
Pastor Lorah Houser Jankord 
August 1, 2010
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