¹⁶ Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. ¹⁷ He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

²¹ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16-21, NLT)

From Dallas Willard:

What is your life? What does it consist of? Is your life filled with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, or does it consist of simply barns and business? Somebody has to take care of the barn, but God is more interested in your life… If you are careful to distinguish between who you are and what you do, you’ll have a place to stand in the face of the things that can mislead you. (The Scandal of the Kingdom, p. 211)

There is the apocryphal story of Thomas Aquinas being in Rome and the presence of the pope. The pope showed Aquinas tables brimming with gold and precious stones and all kinds of treasure. All available to the pope and the Church.

The pope said to Aquinas, “No longer does the Church have to say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’”

To which Aquinas replied, “Nor can it say, ‘In the name of Jesus, rise and walk!’”

When you trust in the power that belongs to riches, it’s all the power you have. When you trust in the power of God, you’re in touch with a different order and magnitude of power. (p. 213)

There is so much more for us!