Eccl. 1:2;2:21-23/Col. 3:1-5,9-11/Lk. 12:13-21

The Gospel reading reminds us that true security and lasting wealth are found not in material abundance, but in being “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). The man in Jesus’ parable built bigger barns to store his surplus grain, saying to himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19).

But God called him a fool, because he had invested everything in himself and nothing in others or in God.

Beloved in Christ,the farmer in the story believed he was secure that is wealthy, self-sufficient, and admired. Yet in God’s view, he was spiritually poor.

This contrast reveals an important truth: God often sees us very differently than the world does

Friends,real security doesn’t come from material wealth or success, but from becoming rich in the eyes of God.

St. Paul, in the second reading (Colossians 3:1–11), calls us to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is” (v. 1). He urges us to take off the old self and “put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of the Creator” (v. 10).

This new self is nothing less than Christ himself, “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). In Jesus, we see what it truly means to be rich in God’s sight.

Unlike the rich man in the parable, Jesus did not accumulate for himself. As Saint Paul writes elsewhere, “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). This self-giving reached its fullest expression on the Cross.

There, stripped of everything, Jesus appeared to the world as utterly impoverished.

Yet in that moment, he was ever richer in the sight of God. As Isaiah foretold, “He poured out his life unto death… and bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12).

In giving everything, he gained everything. He didn’t just secure his own life — he opened the door to life for all who place their trust in him. His poverty brought us eternal wealth that is grace, mercy and life.

Jesus calls us to follow that same path. He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20). This heavenly treasure is built by how we use our earthly resources;not only money and possessions, but also our time, energy, gifts, and relationships.

We are stewards, not owners. As Paul asks the Corinthians, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Everything we are and have is ultimately gift – entrusted to us so that we might bless others.

Note: we are only custodians of this temporal goods we call properties.

The widow who gave her two small coins (Mark 12:41–44), the boy who shared his five loaves and two fish (John 6:9), the good Samaritan who gave his time and resources to care for a stranger (Luke 10:25–37)—all these are examples of being rich toward God.

The Gospel challenges us to ask: how are we using what God has given us? Are we building bigger barns, or building up the Body of Christ? When we give ourselves away, as Christ did, we not only enrich others- we also secure the only wealth that endures: treasure in heaven and richness in the sight of God.

Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise person who built their house on rock.”

Beloved, that’s the invitation for us today;to build our lives on the foundation of Jesus’ words and example. In doing so, we don’t just survive this fragile life – we secure it, eternally.