A choice. I could spend my life making preparations for a fat retirement, such as the rich man in the next parable who enjoyed the fruit of a prosperous farm. Unfortunately, when the time came to account to God, he was found wanting.
It seems to me more worthy to invest in the Kingdom and serving my fellow man. Is it not the same amount of effort?
Then, a public servant one ought to be, in the highest and best sense. Hugh Nibley pointed out that when it comes to assets (such as money or time) that one only has 3 options: horde, squander, or share. The man in this parable invested extra resources in building bigger barns to stash his retirement nest egg. He did not go out and share it with poor Lazarus the Beggar. I often wonder if this rich man and the one with Lazarus were not the same in the Lord's mind?
Jesus says it best:
15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware ofacovetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to abestow my fruits?
18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19And I will say to my soul, aSoul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, beat, drink, and be merry.
20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy asoul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
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