How to stop hoarding

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Many of us whose primary work is in service to the church may never find ourselves rich in earthly treasure. And yet, there still is a warning for us in today’s parable of the rich man who stored up earthly treasures but was “not rich in what matters to God” (Lk 12:21).

What do we hoard that keeps us preoccupied with the fear of losing it? What possessions weigh us down, preventing us from going where the Spirit calls us to go with haste and urgency? What labors take up our time that seem to fill a lack in our sense of self-worth but actually bloat us with anxiety of heart and distract us from what is truly important?

We might be envious of another’s wealth of talent. Or we may be reluctant to let go of old ways, systems, and ideas that keep us feeling comfortable while others are forced to work around us. Perhaps we hoard books, programs, classes, or degrees believing they make us more successful and thus more worthy. Maybe we seek out praise, storing it up like riches, rather than giving it away ourselves.

Vanity and greed take on many forms, and parish ministers are just as vulnerable to its temptations as others.