filthy rich or godly rich?
"There was a rich man." —Luke 12:16
The man of today's Gospel reading was a fool because he grew "rich for himself instead of growing rich in the sight of God" (Lk 12:21). God our Father is rich in mercy (Eph 2:4). He also possesses the great and unfathomable wealth of His grace (Eph 2:7; 3:8). As God the Father's children, we inherit even now "the wealth of His glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the Church" (Eph 1:18). God's children are the richest people in the world, but not necessarily rich by worldly standards.
We grow "rich in the sight of God" by inheriting as fully as possible His riches. We do this by living fully our Baptisms as faithful sons and daughters of God our Father. We store up riches in heaven by selling what we have and giving alms (Lk 12:33; see also Mt 19:21). To build a secure foundation for the future, we should "be rich in good works and generous, sharing what" we have (1 Tm 6:18).
Jesus "made Himself poor though He was rich, so that you might become rich by His poverty" (2 Cor 8:9). God the Father wants His children to be rich with His riches and by His standards. Forfeit everything: count "all else rubbish so that Christ may be" your Wealth (Phil 3:8). Grow "rich in the sight of God."
Prayer: Father, enlighten the eyes of my heart to know my riches as Your child (Eph 1:18).
Promise: "He brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin." —Eph 2:5
Praise: St. John, governor of Perugia, was taken prisoner in a war. Jesus touched his heart and, after he was released from prison, John gave his life to Jesus and became a priest. Many people were converted through John's preaching.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000