Beware of Covetousness

Asked to arbitrate an inheritance dispute, Jesus declined the case and named the disease instead, then told the parable of the rich fool to illustrate it.

Take care, be on your guard: Jesus assigns covetousness the vigilance we reserve for dangerous enemies, because it never presents as greed, only as almost enough. His counter-declaration is the sentence our whole economy disputes: life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.

Fast from acquisition for a set period, no nonessential purchases, and notice what the craving does when unfed. Then practice the antidote Jesus prescribed everywhere: give something away.