A plaque on my wall reads, “The best things in life are not things.” I often say, “Don’t love things, love people.” Luke 12:16-20 tells the parable of a foolish farmer who loved and lived for things. Notice the absence of God, family, friends, and people. Notice the presence of I, me, myself and things. He tore down and built things to store more things. In this “ME” and “selfish” generation it seems we also have also surrounded ourselves with trivial things.
Things to eat, sip and snack. Things to clean, vacuum, microwave, wash clothes and dishes. Instant things as coffee, tea, meals, and eggs that have never seen a chicken. Things to amuse, watch, do, and enjoy. Things to put together and things to take apart. Garden things. Things for the kitchen, bedroom, den, living room, bathroom, and garage. Tech things that talk, give directions, and information. Flipping, turning, and swiping things. Gadget things to be replaced with faster gadget things. E-things as Smartphones, I-Pads, and I-Pods. Internet, WiFi, Bluetooth, Google, Facebook, and You-Tube things. Things to text, email, download or upload. Things to put in your ears. Things on 1, 2, 3, or 4 wheels. Things that calculate or recalculate. Things for walking, pushing, pulling, and carrying. Plastic things that can buy more things.
As the farmer, sit and think of your things; things you have, and things you don’t have. Then put those things on a shopping to-do list. It seems this generation, as the foolish farmer, exists for things, things, and more things. Notice the end of the farmer’s life. “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be? (Luke 12:20). He was a hard-working farmer who neglected his valuable soul (Mark 8:36). After he died only one thing was put into the casket – him! He was gone but all his things that he loved remained. So the meaning of the parable is “The best things in life are not things, but people.” Things cannot return your love. Don’t let your soul, God, family, and friends be absent in your life. No one ever died saying, “I wish I had given more time building barns.” Learn that times with the Lord, family and friends are priceless. It has been said, “God is only interested in people.” “For God so loved the world (people) He gave…” (John 3:16). God loves you. As the Lord love and invest in people. The returns will be great. You cannot change the past, but you can change the ending. Make the days ahead the best you have ever known. Don’t regrets as the foolish farmer. Don’t love things, love people!
Timely Thought: “Loving Moments Make Lasting Memories” – TC
