Church Fathers Commentary Luke 12:13-15

"And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me. But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man`s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." — Luke 12:13-15 (ASV)

St. Ambrose of Milan: The entire preceding passage is given to prepare us to endure suffering for confessing the Lord, to have contempt for death, to hope for our reward, or to announce the punishment that will await the one to whom pardon will never be granted. And since covetousness is generally inclined to test virtue, a precept and an example are also added to destroy it, as it is said, And one of the company said to him, Speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Since these two brothers were arguing about the division of their father's inheritance, it follows that one intended to defraud the other. But our Lord teaches us that we should not be focused on earthly things, and He rebukes the one who called Him to divide the inheritance, as it follows: And he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

The Venerable Bede: He who wishes to impose the trouble of dividing lands upon the Master, who is praising the joys of heavenly peace, is rightly called “man,” according to the scripture: whereas there is envying, strife, and divisions among you, are you not men?

St. Cyril of Alexandria: Now the Son of God, when He was made like us, was appointed by God the Father to be King and Prince on His holy Mount of Zion, to make known the Divine command.

St. Ambrose of Milan: He rightly avoids earthly things, having descended for the sake of divine things. He does not deign to be a judge of disputes or an arbiter of laws, since He holds the judgment of the quick and the dead and the power to recompense our works. You should consider, then, not what you seek, but from whom you ask it; and you should not rashly assume that greater matters are to be disturbed by lesser ones.

This brother, therefore, is deservedly disappointed for desiring to occupy the Steward of heavenly things with corruptible matters. Among brothers, no judge should have to intervene; natural affection should be the arbiter to divide the inheritance. And in truth, immortality, not riches, should be the inheritance for which people wait.

The Venerable Bede: He takes the opportunity of this foolish petitioner to strengthen both the crowds and His disciples with a precept and example against the plague of covetousness. This is why it follows, He said to them, Take heed, and beware of all covetousness. He says “of all” because some actions may seem to be done honestly, but the internal judge decides the intention with which they are done.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: Or, He says “of all covetousness,” meaning both great and small. For covetousness is futile, as the Lord says, You shall build houses of hewn stone, and shall not dwell in them. And elsewhere, Yes, ten acres of vineyards shall yield one bath, and the seed of a homer shall yield an ephah. But it is also futile in another way, as He shows by adding, For a man’s life consists not in the abundance, etc.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Our Lord says this to rebuke the motives of the covetous, who seem to accumulate riches as if they were going to live for a long time. But will wealth ever make you live longer? Why then do you so clearly endure hardships for the sake of an uncertain future? For it is doubtful whether you will even reach the old age for which you are collecting treasures.