Covetousness Denounced

13 Someone 1in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”

14 But He said to him, “aMan, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

15 Then He said to them, “aBeware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”

16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.

17 “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, ayou have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’

20 “But God said to him, ‘aYou fool! This very night 1byour soul is required of you; and cnow who will own what you have prepared?’

21 “So is the man who astores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

22 And He said to His disciples, “aFor this reason I say to you, 1do not worry about your 2life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.

23 “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

24 “Consider the aravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor bbarn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!

25 “And which of you by worrying can add a single 1ahour to his 2life’s span?

26 “If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?

27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even aSolomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

28 “But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? aYou men of little faith!

29 “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not akeep worrying.

30 “For 1all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.

31 “But seek His kingdom, and athese things will be added to you.

32 “aDo not be afraid, blittle flock, for cyour Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

33 “aSell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, ban unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.

34 “For awhere your treasure is, there your heart will be also.