ACC ~ Luke 12 v13 - 14

AN INHERITANCE OF IMMORTALITY SHOULD BE SOUGHT

AMBROSE: This whole passage is provided so that suffering may be endured for confession of the Lord. … Since greed is often accustomed to tempt virtue, the Lord adds the precept to remove this sin by stating the precedent, “Who has appointed me judge or divider over you?” He who descended for a divine purpose fittingly declines earthly tasks and does not allow himself to be a judge of lawsuits and an arbitrator of riches. He is to judge the living and the dead and apportion deserts. [1] You must not consider what you seek but from whom you request it. You must also not think that you must shout against big or little things. This brother is fittingly rebuked. He eagerly desired to trouble the steward of the heavenly with the corruptible. Not a neutral judge but piety as mediator should divide an inheritance among brothers, although people should seek an inheritance of immortality, not of money. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.122. [2]

[1] Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1.

[2] EHG 279-80**.

COVETOUSNESS DIVIDES; CHARITY GATHERS TOGETHER

AUGUSTINE: He was correct when he did not listen to the man who, in disagreement with his brother, said, “Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” He said, “Master, tell my brother.” Tell him what? He said, “To divide the inheritance with me.” The Lord said, “Speak, man.” Why do you want to divide it except because you are human? Whenever someone says, “I am of Paul,” but another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not merely human? [1] “Tell me, man, who has appointed me a judge of the inheritance among you? I have come to gather, not to scatter.” He said, “I say to you, guard against all greed.” Greed wants to divide, just as love desires to gather. What is the significance of “guard against all greed,” unless it is “fill yourselves with love”? We, possessing love for our portion, inconvenience the Lord because of our brother just as that man did against his brother, but we do not use the same plea. He said, “Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” We say, “Master, tell my brother that he may have my inheritance.” SERMON 265.9. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 3:4.

[2] FC 38:418-19*.