Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 12:15

"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 12:15 (ASV)

Jesus’ audience is probably now the whole crowd, not just the two brothers. The issue revolves around the very nature of “life.” Greed seeks worldly things, which must not be equated with true “living.” In fact, material possessions become a substitute for the proper object of a person’s search and worship— God. Therefore, “greed... is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).