Common Sense

When is enough, enough?

In his famous story, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?," Tolstoy tells of the ambitious peasant Pakhom, who after gaining ever greater plots of land, finally heard of a wonderful deal in a far-off country. He traveled to the land of the Bashkirs and negotiated with the village elder, who seemed a fool. The elder told Pakhom that he could have all the land he wanted for a thousand rubles a day.

Pakhom did not understand. "What kind of rate is that - a day?" he asked. "How many acres could that be?"

"We don't reckon your way. We sell by the day. However much you can walk around in one day will all be yours."

When Pakhom expressed that a man can walk around much land in one day, the elder burst out laughing. "And all of it will be yours!" he replied. But there was one condition: If Pakhom didn't return to the starting point by sundown, the money would be forfeited.

Ecstatic, Pakhom spent a sleepless night. Rising at dawn, he went with the villagers to the top of a hill where the elder put down his hat. After placing his thousand rubles on top, Pakhom began walking, digging holes along the way to mark his land. The going was easy and he thought, "I'll do another three miles and then turn left. The land’s so beautiful here, it would be a pity to miss any."

Pakhom hurried throughout the morning, going out of his way to add more land. But at noon when he looked back at the hill where he had begun, it was difficult to see the people. Maybe I have gone to far, he worried and decided he must begin to make shorter sides. As the afternoon wore on, the heat was exhausting. By now his bare feet were cut and bruised, and his legs weakened. He wanted to rest, but it was out of the question.

Pakhom struggled on, walking faster, then running. He worried that he had been too greedy and his fear made him breathless. On he ran, his shirt soaked and his throat parched. His lungs were working like blacksmith's bellows, his heart beat like a hammer. He was terrified. All this strain will be the death of me.

Although Pakhom feared death, he couldn't stop. They'd call me an idiot, he thought. When he was close enough to hear the Bashkirs cheering, he summoned his last ounce of strength and kept running. As he finally reached the hill, everything suddenly became dark - the sun had set. Pakhom groaned. He wanted to stop, but heard the Bashkirs still cheering him on. He realized that from where he was at the bottom of the hill, the sun had set - but not for those on top. Pakhom took a deep breath and rushed up the hill. Reaching the top, he saw the elder sitting by the hat, laughing his head off. Pakhom's legs gave way, and he fell forward grasping the cap.

"Oh, well done!" exclaimed the elder. "That's a lot of land you've earned yourself!"

Pakhom's worker ran up and tried to life his master, but Pakhom was dead. The worker picked up Pakhom's spade, dug a grave, and buried him - six feet from head to heel, exactly the amount of land a man needed.

In light of what happened can happen when we focus too much on getting more, what kind of lifestyle should a Christian live? How much money should we save and is there a point when we have accumulated too much? Read these questions to see what the Bible has to say.

Read Luke 12:13-21

Why did Jesus tell this parable?
To who is the parable directed? Why did God confront the rich man?
Where did the rich man go wrong?
What is the danger of riches? (see also Proverbs 30:7-9)

Read Matthew 6:19-20

What do you think these verses mean?
In this passage, what do you think it means to lay up treasures in heaven?(see also 1 Timothy 6:18-19)

Should a Christian save at all?

Read Proverbs 6:6-11. Why is the ant praised?
Read Proverbs 13:11. How should you save?
Read Proverbs 21:20. What is the difference between the wise and foolish man?

Read the Discussion piece on page 58.

How is this story like the parable in Luke 12:13-21?
You likely haven’t chased after wealth to the same degree as Pakhom but can you think of any personal situations where you placed the desire for wealth before more important matters?

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