Luke 12:15 — Community Reflections

LUKE 12:15 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? — the futility argument: anxiety does not produce the outcome it is designed to secure. Worry cannot add to lifespan (or height — the word can mean either) and is therefore irrational as well as faithless. The disciples' energy spent on worry could be redirected toward seeking the kingdom.

Church Fathers on Luke 12:15

The whole of the former passage is given to prepare us for undergoing suffering for confessing the Lord, or for contempt of death, or for the hope of reward, or for denunciation of the punishment that will await him to whom pardon will never be granted. And since covetousness is generally wont to try virtue, for destroying this also, a precept and example is added, as it is said, And one of the company said to him, Speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
Ambrose · 4th century

As these two brothers were contending concerning the division of their paternal inheritance, it follows that one meant to defraud the other; but our Lord teaches us that we ought not to be set on earthly things, and rebukes him that called Him to the division of inheritance; as it follows, And he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Theophylact · 11th century

He who wills to impose the trouble of division of lands upon the Master who is commending the joys of heavenly peace, is rightly called man, according to that, whereas there is envying, strife, and divisions among you, are you not men?
Bede · 8th century

Read all 8 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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