Wisdom is the ability to see our lives, the world, and all of reality from the perspective of the Kingdom of God. It is the ability to see beyond this temporal world. Wisdom helps us understand the greater meaning of our lives, actions, desires, and even our destiny. To be wise is to be humble and thankful for all God has given us. It is to realize that the past, the present, and the future all exist as a preparation for eternal life, as an anticipation for the eternal Kingdom of God.
In this parable, Christ teaches us about a rich man who owned a profitable land. This man, however, possessed riches but did not possess wisdom. He was rich in this world, but he was not rich towards God because he could see neither his riches nor his life in the broader context of the Kingdom of God. He did not understand that his riches were a gift from God. He wanted to keep it all to himself, without considering those in need and without realizing that his own life would one day end, and he would not be able to carry any wealth on to the next life.
The Apostle Paul tells us that those rich in this present age should not be arrogant nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God. He teaches us to do good, to be rich in good works, ready to give, and willing to share, so we can lay down a good foundation for eternal life.
The rich man in the passage was not unwise because he was rich since there is nothing wrong with riches in and of themselves. His lack of wisdom relates precisely to what the Apostle Paul teaches. The rich man was not only prideful, but he did not trust in God, trusting instead in his riches. He was not ready to give and unwilling to share because he wanted to always accumulate for this life instead of laying a foundation for eternal life.
The Greek word for “sin” (ἁμαρτία) means missing the target. If we make the things of this world our ultimate target, we chase after the wind. To worry about selfishly accumulating things in this world is like trying to store water in a leaking pool. We will not be able to take anything material out of this life. We will not carry material riches into the Kingdom of God. Everything we have is a provision from God, given for our sustenance, enjoyment, and sharing with those in need. The target is eternal life, which is life with God and with one another in peace and love. If we make material gain our ultimate target in the world, we miss this world and the world to come.
In the Bible, we read how a God-fearing man speaks to his soul: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards” (Psalm 103: 1-5). In this parable, however, the rich man is not speaking to his soul — that is, to his own heart — to bless God and thank Him for all the gifts He has given him. On the contrary, he speaks to himself to plan how to accumulate wealth and live selfishly in this life.
His heart was grounded only in this life, as he loved and hoped for the accumulation of riches and enjoyment of earthly pleasure. Arrogance can destroy our souls and impede our spiritual growth and salvation. It distances us from God Who wants us to live a humble life on earth, working for our daily needs but caring above all about our spiritual life.
God calls the rich man out of his selfish dream, pointing out his foolishness and telling him that his time in this life is over. He would not be able to enjoy riches and pleasure anymore, and he would not be able to take a penny into the next life. His barn would stay behind, but the soul he sought to comfort with worldly riches would move on and find itself poor towards God. In the end, instead of being rich, he became poor because true wealth is wisdom and love, not selfishness.
To be rich towards God is to be rich in love and generosity. We acquire love and generosity through prayer. Prayer draws us closer to God. It fills us with His divine energies or attributes. As the Source of every good thing and the giver of life, God fills the person who prays with love, generosity, and every virtue. Prayer is the source of all virtues.
It is the beginning and end of every blessing because it is direct contact with Christ, Who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of all things. Yet, prayer does not only turn us toward God, but also toward others. When we have Christ dwelling in our hearts, we cannot help turning toward other people who are suffering. His own compassion fills us and teaches us how to act and how to love others. When we have Christ in our hearts, we are rich toward God and others, because all people fit within our compassionate heart. We do not need many words to show love and generosity toward others. Even remaining silent, our example will still reflect God’s love and generosity. When we have acquired the mind of Christ, the heart of Christ, we are spiritually rich, and we teach others with our Christlike life, leading and guiding them towards salvation.
The greatest riches in this world are communion with God, peace, and love. These only come by trusting God above all else and desiring Him over everything this world offers. Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia says, “Complete trust in God that’s what holy humility is.” By sharing what God gives us with the needy, we love God and our neighbor. In this way, our wealth of peace and joy increases, laying a foundation for eternal life. God is the creator of all things, and all things belong to Him. He gives us generously and provides for all our needs because He loves us as a Father who provides for His children. When we receive His gifts with thankful hearts, we become rich towards God. When we use the riches that we are called to share with the needy, the Church, and our loved ones, we become spiritually rich.
Selflessness and generosity bring joy and peace from God. It makes us rich with God. The more we give, the more blessings we receive from Him, and the more we taste eternal life. No one can out-give God. Let us always trust our Father, Who provides us with every good gift from above, and imitate Him in using riches with love and generosity for the benefit of others as a means towards the Kingdom of God.
