"...how empty and transitory it is to glory and take pride in the goods and riches of this world, since no human being can be sure of his life for a single moment! Thus we all feel, see, and realize that we carry about with us a body that is half like a corpse and dead. Nevertheless, very many have the conviction that this life is the best and will last forever. Their shameless eagerness and insatiable desire to grab by fair means or by foul makes it clear that this is what they think. Why do they do this? Doubtless because they are in the devil’s exile, are going astray, and are entangled in the cares and anxieties of this life.
Therefore the faith and patience of Abraham is praised. He is looking for another possession—an eternal possession beyond this Promised Land. He wants Sarah to be buried in this land in order that she may be raised with Christ when He rises from the dead. Meanwhile he himself sojourns in his own land as in a foreign country. God does not grant him a footbreadth, not even a grave; but he buys a place from the inhabitants for a price. Therefore he was not afflicted with that shameful greed to accumulate riches as though he had to remain in this life forever. But with his whole heart he was intent on the promised Christ. Him he beheld in the promise, and he waited joyfully for His coming to this earth."
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