45: The Trouble with Treasure (Luke 12:13-34)

Jackie Watts

The Gospel of Luke: The Greatest Story Ever Told • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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THERE WAS THIS GUY having lunch at the Club House with a bunch of his buddies after a golf tournament. They were having a friendly argument over a $10 bet. Each player insisted that this guy owed the rest of them the money, but he was equally insistent that he did not.

Just then the cell phone rang and he answered it, accidentally pressing speaker phone.

“Hello, Sweetheart,” a female voice said.

“Hi, honey,” the man replied.

“Sweetie,” the woman said, “I’m here at the store and the leather coat I’ve wanted to buy is on sale for only $700; do you think it would be OK to get it?”

The man's friends stared at him to see how he would handle this, seeing he had put up such a fuss over ten bucks.

“Honey,” the man answered, “I can't think of anybody who would look better in that leather jacket than you. I want you to buy it; you’ll look great in it.”

“Oh, thank you darling,” the lady replied; and then said, “I drove by the Mercedes dealership and saw that silver-blue convertible I’ve been looking at is on sale. They are only asking $90,000 -- What do you think?”

"Honey," the man answered, "once you put that leather jacket on, I can't think of a better car for you to be driving around town than that silver-blue Mercedes convertible. I want you to buy the car."

"Oh, darling, you’re the best," the lady replied; and then said, "Well, listen; Becky, our real estate agent called, and you know that house we drove by last week? Well, they put it on the market today; they are asking $950,000; but Becky says if we we offer them $900k they will take it. What do you think?"

"Honey," the man answered, “Once you put on that leather Jacket, and start driving around town in that silver-blue Mercedes, I can't think of a better place for that car to be parked than in the driveway of that house. Offer them $900k, but if they don’t accept it; then we’ll pay the full price. We're going to buy that house.”

"Oh, sweetheart, you’re the best,” the lady exclaimed, “I’ll see you later for dinner. Bye."

"Bye," the man said, and then turned the cell phone off.

The guys in the club house were staring at him in total disbelief; their jaws were dropped in amazement that he had just spent over a million dollars.

The man then broke the silence by saying, "Does anybody know whose cell phone this is?"

I recently read a tweetable truth: “Some people are so broke, all they have is money.” And that’s true of some people in this story…and maybe even true of some people in THIS ROOM. PRAY

Luke 12:13–15 (NIV)

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

This sounds like a poorly timed question. Jesus has just fired the warning shot across the Pharisee's bow about blaspheming the Holy Spirit and this guy is just waiting for Jesus to hurry up and finish talking about eternal things so he can settle what REALLY MATTERS - his money issues.

Rabbis, like Jesus, would sometimes serve as mediators among those in disagreement, but Jesus had not come to settle financial disagreement. Remember, He is still on His way to Jerusalem - to die for the sins of the world!

But Jesus DOES use this as a springboard to illustrate The Trouble of Treasure.

Luke 12:16–19 (NIV)

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’

Notice the selfish tone of this man - my crops - my barns - my surplus grain - I will take life easy. No talk of using his surplus to help others…only to increase his sense of worth, comfort, and stability.

Luke 12:20

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

This is a question that spans the centuries, a question just as relevant for us as it was for them: Who will get everything you prepared FOR YOURSELF?

The ANSWER? Someone ELSE…EVERY material possession you work so hard for will be handed to another. And sometimes it will be much sooner than you expected!

When my grandmother passed away, the house was sold and the few things she owned were divided among my family. She didn’t take anything with her. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of one person who took ANYTHING with them…all they worked for stayed when they left - and now it is either destroyed or in the possession of another.

Of course, you KNOW that…but what would you call someone who lives for things he won’t take with him?

Jesus calls him…and those like him…a FOOL. Those some might consider to be very wise - due to his bank account, clothes, & house - But God says he is a FOOL.

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The person is a FOOL who does not recognize this important truth - that…

BIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOALBIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOALBIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOALBIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOAL

BIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOAL

And regardless of what our culture says, it’s possible to live this way - seeing that

BIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOAL

Jewish people knew that God blessed some men with wealth - Abraham, David, & Solomon. And these men were generous with their wealth - using it to bless others AND bless God.

They understood something that Warren Wiersbe noted: “Wealth can be enjoyed and employed at the same time if our purpose is to honor God.”

Listen to how King David puts it:

1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV)

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Do YOU view Treasure like THAT? Do you recognize that everything you have is from God’s hand? OR is it “mine, mine, mine!”

3 Questions to see if you have Trouble with Treasure:

Do I GIVE BACK TO GOD…with a smile on my face? Are you generous like David and his people?

OR Do I GIVE BACK TO GOD…with a clenched fist?…and thoughts of what else you could use that money for?

OR Do I give LITTLE or NONE at all?…it’s MINE and if I could build bigger barns, own bigger cars & bigger houses - I would.

You see…

BIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOAL

We are created to love Him with all we are…including our treasures…great or small.

I appreciate what one of the writers of Proverbs wrote:

Proverbs 30:7–9 (NIV)

7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

BIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOAL

The Trouble with Treasure is that it can OWN US, instead of us owning it. That was true in Jesus’ day too. Some seemed to have too much & others didn't think they had enough.

Now, I KNOW which camp we might want to be in today…but some of us worry about the next meal. The Bible teaches us to work diligently and manage your money well, but you might still fear for the future. Listen carefully the the next words from Jesus.

Luke 12:22–24 (NIV)

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

This is a brilliant demonstration of how God provides.

First, God cares enough to provide food for a worthless bird. As R.C. Sproul notes, ”Jesus doesn’t say, ‘Consider the dove,’ but rather asks them to consider this ugly, unclean bird.” And he's right as Lev. 11:15 calls ravens 'unclean'.Yet God provides for this scavenger that Jews would consider worthless.

Second, God provides for them on a daily basis. These birds don't have - to use current day language - a refrigerator or freezer to store lots of food for later. God provides for them DAILY. It is also important to note that they don't sit in a nest waiting for God to drop worms into their beaks, but the do the work and God provides for them each day. This might cause the onlooker to be more appreciative for how God provides for him.

Third, God values people more more than ravens. So, if He brings daily provision to worthless birds...He will certainly provide for His crowning creation - those created in His image!

Jesus continues…

Luke 12:25–28

25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!

Are you getting the PICTURE? When you look at the beautiful life of plants that God has created…remember…YOU are His crowning creation! YOU are created in His image! The next time you you see the growing plants or feeding birds…remember that God provides for them…and cares more about providing for you!

Luke 12:29-32 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Your worry is a WASTE of time & energy. Worrying about that is acting like the pagan world. A person who trusts the KING OF CREATION as his/her FATHER shouldn’t be distracted by food & drink. Your knows what you need - and He will provide!

My kids don’t worry about eating, because Daddy is not going to let them go without eating. They don’t have to worry about clothing or housing. They aren’t worried about it…cause Daddy provides for them!

So too…Instead of worrying, do YOUR part and trust God to do His. - You study, prepare yourself, seek that job, then WORK HARD!

And through it all - Keep your EYES on the KING and His KINGDOM. Don’t get distracted by all that other stuff…Because…

BIG TRUTH: Treasure is a TOOL, but Loving God is the GOAL

And if that’s true in your life, then you will hold your earthly possessions with an open hand. You will come to use treasure as a tool.

Luke 12:29-34 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Is Jesus saying that all of His followers must sell all they own? If so, no one would own a home nor have tools to work. This was NOT the practice of the 1st century followers so we consider the context.

Jesus is steering His followers away from GREED and to GENEROSITY. Rather than being preoccupied with treasure that will one day fade away, he wants His followers to use their treasure for ETERNAL purposes.

Feet2Faith Challenges:

Sell something & provide for a need - a meal, groceries, or pay a bill for a needy friend. If you don’t have anyone to help, bring the money to us and we will put it in benevolence - first to believers and then to the community.

Give to your local church. We want to impact our community weekly events, special events, & our ministries here. The New Testament commands giving to those who provide for your spiritual needs. Be obedient - drop box or online giving.

Christmas Shoeboxes due Nov. 16. & Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is coming up - where we provide for overseas missionaries. Would you prepare to use your treasure for eternal purposes?

In closing, David Platt tells of a lady who went on a short term-mission trip to Guatemala. Here is what she shared:

I made the decision to go to Guatemala after seeing in God’s Word that he commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. I was going out of obedience, not because I had a heart for missions or a passion for the people of Guatemala. I want you to understand that I’m a wife, mother, and part-time psychologist—I’m not a missionary, and I’m certainly not a preacher. I was just being minimally obedient to what I believed God’s Word tells all of us to do. Praise God he isn’t minimally faithful and doesn’t minimally bless us. After spending a week around precious children who eat a small cup of porridge a day, the question I have come back to Birmingham asking God is why he has blessed me when others have so little.

And this is what God has shown me: “I have blessed you for my glory. Not so you will have a comfortable life with a big house and a nice car. Not so you can spend lots of money on vacations, education, or clothing. Those aren’t bad things, but I’ve blessed you so that the nations will know me and see my glory.” All my life I have completely disconnected God’s blessings from God’s purpose, and now I realize what I had never seen. God has blessed me to show his love to Domingo [an elderly man whom Jamie saw come to Christ in Guatemala that week]. God has blessed me to show his mercy and grace to children in Guatemala. That is why God has given me income and education and resources. God saves me so that the nations will know him. He blesses me so that all the earth will see his glory!

PRAY: God, what do you want us to do with what I just heard? Do you know the God who saves the nations? Are you more interested in Him than what He can give you? Have you recognized that…