Luke 12:15 (DRB)

Passage

And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness: for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth.

Nearby Context

Luke 12:13 And one of the multitude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me.

Luke 12:14 But he said to him: Man, who hath appointed me judge or divider over you?

Luke 12:15 And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness: for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:16 And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits.

Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "said", "take", "heed", "beware", "covetousness", "man's", "life", and "doth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "said" and "take", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 14's "But he said to him Man who..." into verse 16's "And he spoke a similitude to them...", so "said" and "take" belong inside that flow. In Luke context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "said" and "take" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.