Jesus stated a basic principle of his kingdom in verse 15: “One’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions.” He followed up with a parable. It was a simple story – a rich man, reaping a large crop, thought of nothing but how to keep it all, adding it to his already abundant supply. Absorbed with earthly wealth, he forgot that, when life ended, none of it would be of any use to him. Jesus knew better, and urged his hearers to become “rich toward God.”

• Scholar William Barclay said this rich farmer made two crucial errors. First, “he never saw beyond this world.” For a Christian, mortality is no longer something to fear (cf. Hebrews 2:14-15)—but it is a reality to take seriously. In what ways are you planning and living for the time when this world’s material possessions will no longer matter?
• The farmer’s second error, Barclay said, was that “he never saw beyond himself.” In contrast, he cited Methodism’s founder John Wesley: “At Oxford he had an income of 30 British pounds a year. He lived on 28 British pounds, and gave 2 away. When his income went up to 60 pounds, 90 pounds and 120 pounds a year, he still lived on 28 and gave the rest away.” In what practical ways do you look beyond yourself when you evaluate and make changes to your standard of living?