Luke 12:13-15
A person in the crowd confronted Jesus with a demand: “…, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the
family inheritance with me.’” (13b). Jesus made three points: First, this was not His business. We need
to know when not to get involved in other peoples’ fights. Two points are found in His second
statement: “…’Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has
an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’” (15b&c). Second, what appeared to be a call
for fairness was a cover for covetousness and greed. The folly of such efforts reveals an ignorance of a
third point – life is not realized in our possessions or in how much we have. Politicians effectively use
covetousness and greed clothed in a cloak of fairness to advance their places of power and influence.
As the church we must not ever confuse fairness and justice with covetousness and greed!