EMBRACE THE ABUNDANT LIFE. (Parable of the Rich Man)
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Good Morning we are in our sermon series on the Parables, “All I needed, I learned in Sunday School.”
Jesus taught primarily in Parables during his ministry.. --
The parables were stories that were foundational to what it means to be a disciple…
Most of us learned or heard these parables when we younger ..They show us how to live within His Kingdom -
Jesus kingdom is both in the present and it is coming Kingdom in the future - It is both here and not yet..
This morning we are going to be looking at the parable of the “Rich man” — found in Luke 12.13.
I was reading this article in linkedin that talked about the “New Rat Race” --- where there has been this pivot in our culture...
From finding meaning .… to materialism.. Our values are changing… where instead of making a contribution and serving others, gives meaning) …where Todays generation values.. power, money, and fame above all else –
The new rat race is really the old rat race..
There has always a struggle between living for ourselves and living for others.... Jesus dealt with the problem 2000 years ago..
Jesus taught that we can either… live from the place of Abundance or from the place of Materialism..
There is huge difference between Abundance and materialism....
Abundance is tied to Blessing...
Jesus said in John 10.10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
… This one of the great promises in the Bible… We have abundant life .. The word abundant means having a surplus - it means more than enough….
Abundance speaks of God’s provision and blessing.. and is not limited to possessions.. (material world)
Having an Abundance requires stewardship, because it values …People over possessions
… Abundance life.. does not depreciate…it has Eternal worth —
On the other hand..
Materialism Speaks of ones own Successes and Achievements…the goal of materialism is to gather as much as we can..can as much as we can get.
Materialism is limited to the material world (things you can feel and touch) and excludes God.
There is never cap on materialism because we can never have enough
There is a Roman proverb that says money is like sea water; the more you drink the thirstier you become.
Materialism - Puts Possessions over People..
We are living in a time where we are feeling the squeeze of inflation -just this past month inflation was somewhere around 3.6 %.. it easy for us to get hyper fixated on what we have and what we don’t have..
In times like this we need a biblical framework… on how to be a good steward of our resources.. We need to shift from a materialistic mindset to one of Abundance..
This important..
Steven Covey said
“The way we see things is the source of the way we think and the way we act.”
Opps
T/s How do we live from the Place of Abundance..
1. Shift from Self-Serving to Stewardship mindset
1. Shift from Self-Serving to Stewardship mindset
Studies have found that the average persons spends around 50 percent of their waking hours …thinking about money
—how to get it, spend it and use it.
it is interesting that..
Jesus taught on money more than any other subject…. In fact He talked money more than he did on prayer. One in every 7 verses in the New Testament speaks of money…
Why? Because . Materialism completes for our hearts! It not money that is evil in itself .. the Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil …
Money is A moral - it only what value we put on it…
Jesus said store up got yourselves treasures in heaven.. where neither rust or moths will get to it.. He said.. where treasures is that is where your hearts will be also.
—The parable of the Rich fool is about a man for failed to recognized that God had blessed his life for a reason.. it’s a story about miss placed treasure..
Our text is. Luke 12.13.
We are told Jesus' teaching a crowd , when a man elbowed his way to the front of the crowd — and asked/ demand .. that Jesus intervene in a legal dispute with his brother over the estate that their father had left them…
lets read our text
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Jesus is interrupted by a desperate plea.. It was urgent… It could not wait… He tells Jesus, how he has been “duped out” of his inheritance..
Now it was not uncommon to seek out a Rabbi to be approached with these kinds Questions…
The mans says to Jesus, "tell my brother" to give me my share of my inheritance....
Jesus immediately knew that this man was coming from a bad place… The issue was more than just seeking justice… but rather he was caught up in getting with stuff..
…Jesus didn’t want any part of this mans greed..— and so he responds. -Who made me Judge over your family affairs?
Then he deals with the problem of materalism
Jesus, says. “Beware -and be on your guard against every form of greed.”
Greed can be difficult to identify - Jesus taught that it comes in many forms..
This man came to Jesus for help -and on the surface it looked like he needed compassion… but Jesus could see his heart..
Most of us never think of ourselves as greedy, But greed has nothing to do with what we have or don’t have…but rather it’s a heart issue …it is our attitude towards stuff...
Today in US storage Units are hug business, it is one of the fastest growing segments in real estate..
According to 2018 statistics, there are more than 23 million individual storage units in the United States. That's 1 for every 14 people.
What often happens.. people move and buy storage for stuff they are not ready to use… but after some time they more or less forget about it..
The problem is not stuff — but our attitude -
Greed is simply grasping after more… and never being satisfied..
Jesus tells the parable..
Aggh
lets read the parable..
16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.
17 And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’
18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’
Jesus starts off with Abundance the land … God has blessed this man.. The land he is farming is very productive..
The land was so productive... that the farmer was running out of space.
- He has to come up with a plan -- He will tear down the old barns and build larger ones.. Not just his crops but for all his belongings..
There is two part process to this mans decision -
a. First he gets perspective from being reflective..
This farmer - reflects on the past years harvest and gets a new perspective-
He goes up to his office and he crunches the numbers and he realizes that His business is growing at such a rate - that if he didn’t do anything — he would be in trouble… As he reflects he begins to he comes up with a brilliant idea - to Grow the business.
2. He gets perspective from being prospective..
He looked forward and saw an opportunity for growth. He may have had to get creative and raise the money —find some venture capitalist investor to invest in his barns…
Now, -- Until this point -- there is no problem… He is expanding and growing his farm… He is being a good steward of his resources..
But the issue comes in
Vrs 19 - This is where the farmer begins to loose his way... While he was in this prospective mode— dreaming about the future… he said this..
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’
— He hasn’t even laid down --one brick and he is already planned out his retirement...
He talks in the first person — he talks about my barns, my fruits, my goods, my soul.
he said to himself — in his heart.. I will say to my soul … You have enough to last you many years to come…take it easy.... eat… drink and be merry...
Now, some of us may have been here… counting the years and hours to our retirement… it seems like the number keeps on moving…62 -67..
The bible doesn’t have any problem with aging and slowing down…
The problem Jesus had was this man missed the point of life..
He did not include God in his plans... He did not think about his Kingdom purpose.
.He assumed the purposed of life was to consume all that had on himself..
But He made one Crucial mistake…
He thought that the future was in his control.. He did not see a need for God...
He beleived that he was well prepared for anything that could happen in this life..but he failed to see the brevity of life..
Picasso paintEd a picture called The Dream - and In 1997, Steve Wynn purchased The Dream at an auction for $47 million.
Less than a decade later, Wynn was about to complete a deal to sell the painting for $139 million.
The transaction would have set a record for the sale of a piece of art. But as it happened
- Wynn, who was standing little too close to the painting, when he turned he inadvertently punched a a six-inch hole in the middle of the painting with his elbow… In an instant the value of the painting evaporated..to nothing..
When this man thought that he had made it…
.. he crashed into the sovereignty of God..
..Jesus said that the man’s very life would be demanded that very night..
Everything that he worked for came to nothing...
Jesus makes the point that.. When we store up wealth without considering God purposes..
We are in fact "not rich" -but rather “poor toward” God… it depends on who is looking..
From the worlds perspective you might look rich.. but Gods perspective.. who owns everything … he was poor..
materialism is limited to here..
Here is why materialism is deceitful.. difference between…Abundance..
stuart Weber said.
You cannot take your treasure with you into the next world, but you can send it on ahead through kingdom-oriented stewardship.
Stuart Weber
Ahaha
T/s How do we live from the Place of Abundance..
1. Shift from Self-Serving to Stewardship mindset
2. Shift from Striving to A Resting Mindset
2. Shift from Striving to A Resting Mindset
In Greek Mythology Sisy-I phus … was doomed to push a boulder up the hill every day–a boulder that would roll back down to the bottom every night..
life can feel like that..
WE CAN feel like THAT WE NEVER GET OFF THE TREAD MILL.
if you look at this photo .. where is striving going to get you? WHERE is the point or the purpose in this?
The way we deal with striving is to find rest or Shallom
Rest is essential for our welfare. … the book of Hebrews talks about a rest for Gods people… strive to enter his rest.. his peace.
Jesus explains the parable
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
What Jesus is talking about here is Rest..
vrs 22 The younger brother was striving.. -- was fearful about losing his inheritance… He didn’t see further than the money…He didn’t think about his relationship with brother.
On the hand, the Rich farmer who had everything — also could see no further than the money… the bottom line.…
In fact they had the same problem .. the fear of loosing what they had (or potentially could have)
Materialism became the answer to life’s problems.. Either you are striving to get or striving to keep it…
Jesus warns that materialism can became an idol for us.. Whether you are rich or poor.....
You don’t have be Rich to have misplaced Priorities.. What Jesus is really get at is that we ought to be live live out of Abundance..
He deals with the Obstacles.
The first is Worry..
Jesus’ says don’t be anxious about your life… what you will eat or drink..
The word anxious means to be torn apart… it means to held in suspense…
Jesus uses it a present imperative which means keep this constant attitude… Don’t be in this constant state of worry..
Corrie Ten Boom
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
The Problem with Worry is that it can convince us that life is made up of what we posses...
Jesus says life is more than food and clothing… (That is quite a statement?
because He is talking about necessities..
Jesus is not saying we don't need food or clothes... shelter..
But, rather don’t let that motivate your life..
Jesus tell us to look at the Ravens.. they don't sow or store up food… but God meets their every need.
Ravens were among the least appreciated of birds — they were the “bottom of the creature barrel”
If God can take care of ravens by giving them food, he certainly will care for you
God knows what we need and he will provide for our needs..
Jesus invites us into rest… come all you who are heavy burdened and illl give you rest..
Augustine said..
You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.
Augustine of Hippo
T/s How do we live from the Place of Abundance..
1. Shift from Self-Serving to Stewardship mindset
2. Shift from Striving to A Resting Mindset
Wee -
3.Shift from Fear to Faith Mindset
3.Shift from Fear to Faith Mindset
The experts tell us that anxiety is on the rise and is snowballing here in the US.
.Today, “anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S.,” affecting around 40 million adults — almost 1 in 5 people.
Jesus taught that the Antidote to anxiety is Faith..
Faith doesn’t look at what we lack but what we have in Christ.. Jesus says if you look… you will see how God provides.
lets read.
28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
29 And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
30 For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
When Jesus said don’t worry about food and clothes… I imagine red flags going up — What did Jesus mean?....
Israel lived in a climate where they had to stock pile grains and food in order to survive harsh envioment.. …
It created a lot question in the minds of hearers..
, food, clothing, shelter — were the basics…
How does God take care of needs?
Jesus says ...
Consider the lilies - neither do they toil is spin - Not even Solomon could clothe himself like beauty of nature.
God takes care of the grass that is there one moment and gone tomorrow..
How much more will God take of you? You of little Faith?
Jesus says, it takes faith to embrace God’s abundance..
We need to be clear.
Jesus isn't against clothes, cars, computers, or any of the other things that we use daily.
He's not saying don't ever think about money, don't go out to dinner, or don't buy new furniture.
He's not saying you shouldn't save for retirement or go on a family vacation.
Rather .. the quesrion is who are we trusting in?
He is able to provided.
in ..
John 10.10
Jesus say thief comes to steal and destroy…
Thieves are motivated by selfish ambition..
They take from others to spend on themselves… it
Self-serving..
Jesus came to give us life - and life that is full
Abundance is not what you have - it what you can give..
Faith is the ability give knowing that God is going to meet your needs..
Jesus encouraged Generosity...
yeah
33 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus was not saying get rid of of every possession instead Jesus used exaggeration to make a point...
Jesus says when you trusting God for provision… We can trust him to be generous..
In other words…
The kind of Faith that we can have is that we could loose all your possessions and still trust God to supply our needs..
CONCLUSION
In 2 Cor 9.5 Paul teaches on generosity … He tell us that we should have plan for our giving… He says plan to sow bountifully and expect to reap a harvest.
He says each one should purpose in his heart what he should give..not grudgingly or under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver..
2 Corinthians 9:8–9 (NASB 95)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
It take faith to be Generous…because what we saying is that God will take care of our needs..
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
What about our lives? What about our ideal for the future?
Our dream of retirement? the truth is that our senior years can be the years that we make our greatest investments…
Jesus taught that life is more than the sum of our possessions…
Abundance is found in him…He gives us all we need..
C. S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity — gave this illustration of a car…
A car is made to run on gas, and it would not run properly on anything else.
Now God designed the human machine to run on himself.
He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on.
God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.
ultimately Christ is is our prized possession