Being Rich Toward God

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on July 28, 2022

What does it mean to be wealthy? Next Sunday's gospel (Luke 12:13-21) invites us to consider true, enduring wealth, being "rich toward God". Being "rich toward God" challenges us toward mindfulness. We live daily in God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. A life focused on material possessions is perilous as it tempts us away from a life "rich toward God".

The gospel reading begins with a man who asks Jesus to arbitrate a dispute between himself and his brother over the division of family inheritance. Jesus perceives his request as a symptom of deeper spiritual issues that are hazardous to his soul. Was the questioner, at odds with his brother, filled with anger and resentment? When there is conflict over money or possessions, it is easy to harbor negative and unkind thoughts which tarnish the soul. And we forget God's presence and God's kingdom values of
love and peace. It is also easy to forget that all things belong to God. Was the man's question motivated by a desire to acquire more and more earthly possessions?


Jesus warns, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist of an abundance of possessions." (V15). To truly have life is to know God, to be "rich toward God", making Him the center of our daily decisions, treasuring our relationship with God. To illustrate the grave spiritual danger of focusing one's heart on material goods, Jesus tells a parable about a rich man whose land produced an abundant harvest. He did not have enough room to store his produce. The rich man
pondered his situation and decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store all his grain. Confident in the years of security his plan would give him, he could simply "relax, eat, drink and be merry".


But the rich man was living without reference to God or his neighbor. He failed to perceive that everything in the world was from God; the soil that yielded the harvest, the grains, the present, the past, and the future. Then came the devastating moment when God said, "this very night your life is being demanded of you...." The rich man's error was his deceptive thought life. He believed that his very existence was self-directed. His idea of self-made security was ruptured. He was indeed poor toward God and things eternal.


Had the rich man been striving to be "rich toward God", how differently would he have lived? Perhaps he would have built bigger barns for God by treasuring his relationship with God and his Fellowman. Perhaps he would have gratefully acknowledged God's blessings in making his fields yield abundant grain. Perhaps he would have sought God's direction in using his abundance. Perhaps his life would demonstrate love and compassion for hurting humans. He would have shared with the needy and experienced the inner joy of generous living. Perhaps he would have submissively placed his life is in
God's hands and found true hope and security in Him. Perhaps he would make worship and prayer essentials in his life. In doing all this, he and us treasure what God treasures and grow in being rich toward God.


Christ, help us to be rich toward God; our life in Him and His life in us, that whether we live or die, in His abiding love we rest.

Tags: money, god, rich, blessings, abundant, grateful, possessions, material goods, wealthy

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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