Treasures for me or for God?

Selective Parables: Lessons from Jesus

Message Six

Luke 12:13-21.

ETS: Jesus warned against selfish greed.

ESS: We should be careful to not be greedy for selfish gain.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to be careful to not put too much merit in material possessions.} Cognitive: Affective: Psycho-Motor:

PQ: What are the issues with adopting an attitude of greediness?

UW: Issues

Intro.: [AGS]: “A chapter heading in Calvin Miller’s book A Requiem for Love reads: ‘A beggar asked a millionaire, “How many more dollars would it take to make you happy?” The millionaire, reaching his gnarled hands into the beggar’s cup, replied, “Only one more!” [1] [TS]: Today’s text records a conversation between Jesus and those gathered around him. Specifically, he responded to a question to warn against selfish greed. Practically, Jesus taught that life was about more than material possessions. [RS]: You and I need to be careful to invest ourselves more in things of God than things of this world. It is not wrong to have material possessions. It is wrong, and foolish, however, to focus more on the things of this world than the things of God. We should be careful to not be greedy for selfish gain.

TS: Let us examine together the issues of a greedy attitude now:

A greedy attitude leads to a love for material possessions. [vv. 13 and 16-19]

Notice the concern of the individual in the discourse: I want my stuff.

A greedy attitude leads to a complacent lifestyle. [v. 19]

The goal of the individual was “to make it” so-to-speak. His concern was about his goods so much so that he might live a lifestyle of “leisure and pleasure.” [2]

A greedy attitude leads to unwise management of possessions. [vv. 16-20]

Notice the amount of self references in these few verses- more than 10 times. It is evident that the focus of the individual is solely on himself, particularly the comfort he wants to live in. He is not concerned with investing in others to ensure the goods he has are longterm effectively taken care of- just that he has goods and he is comfortable himself.

A greedy attitude leads to a selfish focus. [vv. 13-21]

Again, the focus throughout is on the individual self. The issue is storing up treasure for me- not stewarding it for God nor investing in the Kingdom of God.

CONCLUSION:

[1] After careful examination, is it true that I have gotten caught up in greediness for purposes of selfish gain or comfort?

[2] Have I focused so much on myself and my own comfort that I have failed to invest my life into others?

Bibliography:

[1] Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, “Greed” in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers, 275 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2007), 220.

[2]A. Boyd Luter, “Luke,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1632.

Other Consulted Sources:

[1] Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988).

[2]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

[3] Michael Wilcock, The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979).

[4] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014).

[4] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Luke & John, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885).

[5] Thabiti Anyabwile, Exalting Jesus in Luke, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018).