In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, hobbits, elves, wizards, regular humans and a being named Gollum fight over a magical ring that belongs to none of them.
It was forged to give its possessor power over several other magical rings. The one wearing the one ring could control those who wore the other rings.
But—there was a price.
Gollum is the only one who calls the ring "My precious," but all of the others act as if that is true for them, as well. They so badly want to possess it that few of them can see the danger lurking beneath that shiny surface.
I thought of that while reading this week's selection from Luke 12. Someone in the crowd shouts out to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” You're left to decide for yourself about the "shouter." Has he been cheated out of what is rightfully his? Is it that he believes it only "fair" that his brother share with him? Or does he know full well he is due nothing … and wants it anyway?
There are a lot of problems with demanding that Jesus intervene. The first is that the man may see Jesus as just another scribe (lawyer) who should adjudicate disputes about property. Kind of makes you wonder if he had been listening to what Jesus had just been saying. The best scenario—and it's not pretty—is that the man recognizes the power and authority of Jesus, and wants to use Jesus as a wedge or leverage in a family dispute.
Think about that one for a while.
In any case, in his response to the man, Jesus elevates the issue to what really matters—and it's not who owns what in this life. In the parable that follows, Jesus makes it clear that our focus in this short life should be on our relationship with God, not on the level of abundance or scarcity we are experiencing at any given moment.
Why we desire what we desire is definitely worth taking time to consider. Luke Burgis reports strong evidence that imitating the desires of people we admire is a prime reason for our desires. That’s a discussion for another time, though. Regardless, it does leave the question: Is it OK to want things? The answer? Sure. It’s even OK to have things. Just don't let them rule you. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
What then, in the absence of a final answer as to the “why” of our desires, is the action we can take now? Scripture makes it clear: Store up your treasures in God. Nothing and no one is more precious.
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PHOTO (God, Gollum and the Ring):
https://seekinggoddailyblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/gollum-mankind-bound-by-sin-part-ii/
Burgis takes a deep dive into God, mimesis, desire, imitation, technology and culture:
https://read.lukeburgis.com/p/layering-culture
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Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 49:1-12
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
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