The World According to Opa

The Bible contains two contrasting stories about the building of storehouses — places to store an abundance of things such as grain. The first story is told in Genesis 41, verses 41 through 56. Placing great trust in Joseph who had proved himself to be both wise and responsible, Pharaoh made him “steward,” over all of Egypt with power and authority second only to Pharaoh himself. The second story is found in Luke 12 verse 19, the parable of the foolish farmer.

Joseph was the Hebrew son of Jacob who, because of their jealousy, had been sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph rightly interpreted dreams, messages sent by God to Joseph through the Pharaoh. He took the grace of God and directed that preparations be made so that the seven years of foretold abundance could be used to sustain everyone in the seven years of famine that were to follow — everyone, Egyptians, Israelites and his own family. Joseph understood his God-given purpose. He told his brothers afterward, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (Genesis 45 verse 5)

In the second story, Luke recalls a parable told by Jesus about a Rich Farmer, one who had decided to build larger storehouses or barns after an abundant season so that he wouldn’t have to worry about possible famine or even to work for the rest of his life. The thought that had come to his mind was, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry” (Luke 12 verse19). Surely that was the devil whispering into the farmer’s ear. He took the grace of God and then relied on himself to keep the abundance for himself. He didn’t consider sharing it with the community or even generously compensating his workers. He just took what God provided through good fortune and his workers’ labor. This exemplifies the sin of stealing. The farmer planned to take all of the abundance freely given by God. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ (Luke 12 verse 20)

Too late for the foolish farmer, but maybe not for us.

There are modern-day store-housing equivalents, things that tempt us when we have been graced with abundance. Consider the expensive homes that we buy, homes that are larger than we need; boats and recreational vehicles that sit idle most of the year. In and of themselves, these things are not evil, neither is the owning them necessarily evil. But they might be if in our excesses they distract us greatly from charitable opportunities. For it is written, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4 verse 28)

Lord, God, we pray that, through faithful stewardship – we can do the work you have called each of us to do. Send to us the Holy Spirit to motivate and inspire us to share our abundant harvests.