Wealth to share

For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Lee's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” Most of us can identify with that request. It’s only fair: each member should receive their own portion of a family’s wealth when the time comes to divide it. 

But Jesus doesn’t seem to care about fairness. Not only does he refuse to get involved in this family dispute, he also warns anyone who will listen to be on guard against greed. What you and I consider simple fairness, Jesus calls greed: a voracious appetite that can never be satisfied and will leave us empty in the end.