In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

The parable about a certain mindless rich man (Luke, 12, 16-20)

Today’s parable about a certain mindless rich man (Luke, 12, 16-20) teaches us a very important lesson that a sudden death often comes upon a person, who, according to the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, “is not rich towards God.”
And what does it mean “to be rich towards God”? Does it mean to become rich for God and acquire possession for Him? But God does not need treasures or possession of any kind! He is already the Lord – the Creator and the Owner of the whole world! He thus speaks about Himself to one of the prophets: “My universe and everything that fills it…” (Psalm 49.12). Therefore, “to be rich towards God” implies something fundamentally different…
“To be rich towards God” stands for becoming profuse for the Glory of God, for He expects us to use all those possessions, talents and abilities that He gives us, for exalting Him among people… To be even more exact, our material and spiritual possessions should serve our neighbours’ needs: in this way we will be multiplying goodness in this world and through acts of kindness will be bringing more and more new souls to God!
The mindless rich man from today’s Gospel readings, having received from God a certain gift, does not spread it among his neighbours. Having withdrawn and shut himself within his little selfish world, he voluptuously mutters: “I will be eating, and drinking, and having fun alone”! The poor fellow does not know that joy only then is a true joy, when it is shared with others…
Those who collect the treasures only for themselves, in reality, are constantly plundering themselves. Those who are giving away their possessions and sharing their gifts from God with others, who are scattering the warmth of their own souls and sacrificing their time, strength and even money for others, are “being rich toward God…” In exchange for the wealth that we hand out to others, we will receive from God and people, something that cannot be purchased by any money: eternal life, love, devotion and compassion…
The rule of saving our priceless soul is very simple. It was formulated by the apostle Paul at the last meeting with the presbyters of the Ephesian church in Miletus: “It is essential to support the weak and to remember the words of Jesus Christ, for He told us that: “it is more blessed to give than to receive…” (Acts. 20. 35). Amen.