People can sometimes say the strangest things at the oddest times. Jesus is teaching a large crowd of people about the kingdom of God, when suddenly someone in the crowd cuts in with a demand that has nothing to do with what Jesus is talking about: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

Imagine Jesus with a wry smile on his face as he replies, "Man, who appointed me a judge or arbiter between you?" That's a bit of a surprise. If anyone can judge in this situation, it's Jesus. Jesus does in fact go on to make a judgment—but not the kind the man expects. His is a judgment on both the man and his brother for the greed that's dividing them.

At this point Jesus tells a story about a rich man and his abundant harvest. Jesus' listeners would have been inclined to think well of this wealthy man. In the culture of that day, rich people were respected, while poor people were generally suspect—not all that different from the situation today. Jesus' original audience likely assumed that this man was blessed by God and that his abundant harvest was a sign of that blessing.

But there's a problem. The rich man has no place to store the huge crop. "Well," he says smugly to himself, "I'll just tear down the old barns and build bigger ones." This is more than a mere business decision. He wants the good life, the comfortable life. It is, as we would put it, a lifestyle decision: "I'll take it easy—you know, eat, drink, and be merry."

Notice the alarming self-centeredness of this man. Take a moment to count the I's and my's in the four sentences he utters. His commitment to self-gratification leaves no room either for God or for his neighbor.

As often happens with Jesus' parables, the plot turns on a dime, and the knife drops. The rich man has planned for a life of ease, but God calls him into account. God's words in this instance sound harsh and unforgiving: "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. Then who will get all your big-barn riches?"

Imagine Jesus directing his flinty gaze at the man who has asked the inheritance question. Imagine him solemnly but firmly pronouncing the verdict: "This is how it will be with those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God."

This hard-hitting little parable challenges our complacent North American way of life. All around us our culture approves of the accumulation of wealth and the pursuit of pleasure. But Jesus warns that it is quite possible for us to be rich in things but impoverished toward God.

What does it mean to be rich toward God? Whatever else it may mean, it certainly signifies that we live beyond mere self-gratification and that we orient our lives toward God and our neighbor.