Wanting Beyond Grace
Notes
Transcript
Open your Bibles to Luke 12:13-21
We are continuing through Luke’s gospel this morning. Now, I typically make concessions, being mindful of the calendar. I recognize today is Mother’s Day, and I’m grateful for you all as mothers and for your ladies here at GraceLife Church, but this morning I’m going to continue working through the Gospel of Luke, mainly to keep making headway, as we’ve had a few hiccups recently.
But I will tell you: Thomas Watson, a pastor in the 1700s, called the sin of GREED or Covetousness a “mother sin.” He called it a Mother Sin, because he said, she gives birth to many offspring. It is a violation of the 10th Commandment. And when we hear covetousness, we might think, I mean, what’s the big deal there. To want something, to desire something. We think perhaps it’s a small sin. I mean, it’s NOT like murder, so what’s the harm….but when we consider what is happening in Exodus 20:17
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
It is the taking of things most precious, most prized by another, and claiming them as their own. This is vile, this is depravity in rich form. This is a grievous vice!!
In writing on the 10 Commandments. I’d encourage you to read that book by Thomas Watson, it's called, quite novelly, THE 10 COMMANDMENTS. Watson demonstrates how the sin of covetousness is, at its root, a violation of ALL 10 commandments.
He goes on to give rightful cautions in how we gauge our tendency towards this sin.
1. When are our thoughts are continually taken up with the world?
2. When we are more concerned with getting earth than heaven.
3. When we speak, we are more earthly-minded than heavenly-oriented.
4. When our heart is always on worldly things rather than on the treasure of heaven.
5. When we are overly concerned with worldly business and affairs.
6. When we are willing to use ungodly means for the sake of our gain.
It is a sin of the heart. It is a sin, linked to the heart. This is what Jesus says in Mark 7:21-23
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
It is a sin linked to adultery, theft, murder, immorality, stealing, gambling, lying, and lack of trust in the Lord. It is a grievous vice. A MOTHER SIN, as Thomas Watson says.
And the irony is the sin that promises more and greater treasures, greater riches. Will itself choke the heart of true treasure and true joy in the Lord.
Sermon Summary: Greed will rob you of joy in Christ.
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: 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 ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
This is God’s word, let’s pray.
-------------------------------------------------
I. Greed Distorts Your View of Life (v.13-15)
I. Greed Distorts Your View of Life (v.13-15)
You recall that Jesus has just given a word to His disciples, a warning of hypocrisy. To NOT live like the Pharisees, because our private lives will be made known. It will be revealed. If NOT in this life, then at the final judgment. BEWARE, Jesus says… Don’t fear man, but instead rightly fear the Lord! Because we know the Lord cares for us! Beware, NOT to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Don’t resist Him; instead, be led by Him! And those in the crowd watch and listen….and so.
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Here is a man in the crowd, concerned with his family affairs. His father has died, leaving an inheritance, and according to the Law, he is upset with the disruption of the inheritance. He apparently feels he is entitled to more. Perhaps his brother was the older brother and received a double portion according to Deut 21:17, perhaps he feels he is just being shorted. But nonetheless, he is frustrated. The pursuit of worldly possessions has become his fixation. It’s rare that an inheritance doesn’t become the source of quarrels and fights. That mutual mourning becomes a seedbed for hatred and disdain. And that happens here.
And perhaps his brother was a believer, and this man thought Jesus would set him straight. Or that he regarded Jesus as an upright moral teacher to give a fair ruling in his favor. So, Jesus, YOU TELL HIM to divide the inheritance with me!
And Jesus refrains from making a judgment here. This isn’t the first time that Jesus refrains from taking a side. He didn’t interfere with Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42); instead, he is concerned with the heart. Jesus isn’t so much concerned with the matters of worldly affairs. He is concerned with the Kingdom of God!
So, Jesus gives two commands here. TAKE CARE – that is, be vigilant! PAY ATTENTION, NOT far from BEWARE disciples - TAKE CARE!!
AND BE ON YOUR GUARD! WATCH OUT!!
Against ALL COVETOUSNESS, NOT some but ALL of it! - The word means greediness. The excess of acquiring more. If I can define it simply, covetousness is pursuing more than God in His providence has given!
And it is an issue of the heart, and something scripture forbids and commands we steer far from!
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
And those with a heart of covetousness bow to many gods. For she has many children, Thomas Watson said. AND She makes many idols. But the contentment of the believer should be to rest in the Lord!
7 Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
See, the issue in scripture is rarely about the dollar amount. Rich or poor, but in the heart. And the heart can be corrupted in both, in desiring more, or lacking contentment in what we do have…I’ve known many who were poor, who were riddled with GREED, and I’ve known those of affluence whose greatest JOY was to GIVE. Overflowing with generosity towards others. The issue isn’t what we have, but our HEART from which we LIVE. And here this man’s heart is exposed. And Jesus spots it and says, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
And this man has a distorted view of the makeup of one’s life. All he saw was stuff. All he wanted was more! Where is my inheritance? Where are my goods? When do I receive what I have coming? Tell my brother to give me what I’m owed.
And Jesus says, "Your life isn’t in what you own. It’s NOT in what you have or don’t have. It’s NOT about possessions. And stuff. And praise GOD, I’m thankful for a church that isn’t consumed by materialism. And knowing that the sum of our life isn’t in what we have!
But this sin is as old as ADAM and Eve, who wanted something better than what they had in the Garden. In fact, it’s older than the garden, of SATAN and fallen angels. They wanted something more than God had given them. Of the wars and quarrels, strife, division, envying, disputes, jealousies, hatred, both public and private. Can be traced to this fountain head – GREED, COVETOUSNESS! And Jesus says TAKE CARE, WATCH OUT!! Against ALL OF IT!!
It distorts us! It robs us of joy and freedom to love, and instead we begin to take from others. In greed, we want more. We take from those whom we love, like a brother. It’s displeased with what God has given. And we begin to believe the lie that happiness is produced by riches, rather than contentment in Christ (Phil 4:11)
And what timing, right? Jesus had just been speaking about confessing Christ and being dependent on the Spirit of God. Of the coming JUDGEMENT And from the crowd, this guy interrupts and says, "Can we talk about my inheritance?” SIGH!! (WOW!)
And he can’t recognize the foolishness of and the greater value of Christ’s words to Him….Because his heart had been distorted by greed and covetousness. And we too must be on guard, that our life NOT be distorted and blinded to what truly matters, NOT our stuff, but our souls!
------------------------------- Greed Distorts Your View of Life
II. Greed Traps You in Self-Centered Living (v.16-19)
II. Greed Traps You in Self-Centered Living (v.16-19)
You notice here that Jesus continues in his response to the man, by telling them, that is the crowd, in which his disciples are a part. And he told them all a parable, a way of communicating a profound truth about greed and covetousness.
16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: 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 ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’
It’s subtle, but Jesus assumes what ought to be gratitude towards God, and the man in this parable distorts it to his own self-centered way of living.
First, the subject of the sentence is the land, NOT the man. It’s NOT a man who owns land that produces. It’s LAND that produces abundantly that a rich man owns. The term LAND literally means a region. This is much more than a small field; this is like an entire country. In which he is like a small prince. And Jesus says the land of a rich man produced plentifully. This is a gracious provision. For what does a farmer produce that God doesn’t graciously yield to come to pass? They are dependent on the rain that God gives, the sun that God sets, the conditions, and the fertile soil that God cultivates. AND in grace!! The land of the rich man produced plentifully. And rather than being thankful…He thought to himself, what shall I do?
Notice the anxiety of abundance…Beloved, there are sometimes things that money can’t buy, and one is peace. Freedom from trouble or anxiety. And here the anx of abundance, what shall I do with all my crops? What am I going to do with all my stuff?
And if he’s thinking rightly. If he’s thinking godly! The right thing is faithful stewardship. There is a right way to steward wealth and blessing. But it’s NOT through hoarding. It’s through giving. It’s through using what God has given as a blessing to bless others. In fact, the problem isn’t the money. The problem is the heart.
You think about what the scripture says. It doesn’t say that money is the root of evil. It’s the love of money that is A ROOT of all kinds of evil(it’s a mother sin!)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
The issue is always the heart, and the desire to crave more and more. Poverty certainly has many disadvantages, but riches have destroyed far more souls than poverty. In fact, if you want to see a person’s heart exposed, let them see profit and how they steward it. That will reveal whether their heart is one of generosity or greed! Do they use what God has given to bless others or build themselves? Falling into the snare and being plunged into ruin and destruction of greed!
And rather than using what God has given from the yield of His crop to be stewarded for the good of his neighbor. Or given to the poor. Or helping the destitute, the widow, the orphan. Rather than it be used for the Kingdom of God or for the glory of God! None of that crosses this man’s mind. He’s occupied with one thing! I NEED BIGGER BARNS!
Notice, it’s all about HIMself, isn’t it? NOT the personal pronouns!!
he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will teardown 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 ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’
He forgot God…Not a thought, NOT a word about the Lord. It was all about Himself. His heart has been given over to greed. And trapped in self-centered living.
Then notice the illogic of his plan. Rather than just building more barns. He destroys his old ones. Yes, new barns! Perfectly good and small ones are of no use anymore.
And he lives as if he is sovereign. I’ve got plenty of goods; it’s more than just about his crops. He stores both his crops and goods. He’s accumulated quite the load. And he lives as if his days are in HIS HAND. He’s banking on a future that hasn’t been promised to HIM! I have many years to go! SO, RELAX, EAT, DRINK, and BE MERRY!
But listen carefully to what the rich fool treasures. He says to his soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years.” His wealth exists for one purpose — personal comfort, pleasure, ease, and worldly enjoyment. His treasure is relaxing, eating, drinking, and fun. That is his life.
Now what’s wrong with that? Nothing — if there is no God. If there is no resurrection. If this life is all there is.
32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
But there isa sovereign God. And there isa resurrection. And this man’s tragedy is NOT merely that he possessed riches, but that he used them in a way that showed he treasured his comforts more than he treasured God Himself.
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
But who has need for a sovereign Lord when you declare yourself to be sovereign? And notice, He says to HIS soul, the length of HIS days.
And the worldly-minded person will put off the thought of eternity and only think of the here and now. They only think about this world. EAT, DRINK, and BE MERRY! Who has time to consider the brevity of life, what use is a soul at peace with the Lord, and focused on the Lord, when we have so much earthly COMFORT HERE!!
And what should have caused him to glorify God, THANK YOU LORD for these blessings. For another day! And living in faith!! He can’t do it. Because he’s only concerned with himself. Neglecting the Lord and thinking of carnal means of his own pleasure! EAT, DRINK, and be MERRY! No time for God, no mind towards Christ, no heart of faith! He’s been ensnared by the prongs of covetousness, greed, and idolatry.
-----------------------
-----------------------
III. Greed Leaves You Unprepared To Meet God (v.20)
III. Greed Leaves You Unprepared To Meet God (v.20)
Well, atheism is only convenient while living in the delusion of no God. But the reality of death will soon make a fool of those who deny the Lord. And the reality is that hanging over every head and every heart. The rich, the poor. The happy, the sad. Those who live in hope of God and those who deny Him are faced with the reality of death hanging over both. And one day, every one of us is going to die, and after that, scripture says. Face the judgment. We will stand before God and give an account for our lives and give an account for our souls.
And it wasn’t on this man’s radar. He’s banking on a future that hasn’t been promised to HIM. I will go do this, and I will go do that….ME AND MY, and what I say, and what I do…Forgetting about God. And while we may attempt to forget about God, BUT GOD will NOT be FORGOTTEN!
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
The term FOOL means -to be ignorant! SENSELESS and unwise.
When scripture speaks of a FOOL – it speaks of a person who acts without God or without the wisdom of the possibility of destruction!
Link it back to living in the fear of the LORD from last week –
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
He had no fear of the Lord…after all, He lived as if it were his own Lord!
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
He says I will eat, drink, and be merry. I have more than enough good for the future. I WILL do this. I WILL DO THAT…BUT GOD SAYS!!...THIS NIGHT YOUR Soul is required of YOU!
Death came swiftly. Promptly. Unexpected! And by surprise!
He had it all planned. He had it all figured out! Everything was under the façade of control of the fool, but he did NOT consider His lack of control in of his own life. Nor when his life would end.
4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
And then the question here - and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
People try to come up with an answer to this question. His kids, OR it would be distributed in such and such a way. And none of that is the point. It’s a parable. The point Jesus is making is NOT about whose stuff it be….but whose stuff it won’t be. Namely, it won’t be his stuff anymore.
His carefully calculated equation about his barns, his plans, and his land. Will prove to be useless. And was foolish! This is IRONY - because on the surface, he looks to be diligent. He looks to be careful and meticulous. His ladder who promptly secured. Fortified, and he was climbing high in the eyes of men. He looked successful. He looks pristine. He looks accomplished. And then his soul was required of him, only to realize he was climbing up the wrong wall!
And may we be careful NOT to spend our time, energy, and resources on things that don’t matter in the end! And we give our lives eating, drinking, and being MERRY. While our souls are bankrupt for the day of judgment!
Are you prepared for that coming day, beloved! What is your heart given over to? The nourishment of stuff! Or the nourishment of your own soul! Don’t accumulate a growing care for stuff, but a vigilant care for our soul!
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
-----------------------
-----------------------
IV. True Wealth is Being Rich Towards God (v.21)
IV. True Wealth is Being Rich Towards God (v.21)
Jesus concludes by showing the right way to live. Rather than propping up our lives in the wrong direction. There is a better way to life instead. Rather than greed and covetousness, it is living in contentment and richness towards God.
This parable shows us
1. This present life is short and transitory.
2. Riches are of no avail for prolonging life.
3. We must look to the Lord and rely on His providence, whether rich or poor.
Jesusis saying it’s foolish to live for worldly things. It’s foolish to live without regard for your soul. And in the same way, it’s foolish to live for treasure for yourself.
21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
The contrast couldn’t be more evident. It’s clear. Life does NOT consist in the abundance of our possessions, but in our disposition toward the Lord. And the dilemma is which way will be chosen to live. In greed, covetousness, or generosity and contentment, and being RICH toward God.
Possessions aren’t ultimate. Other things matter so much more. Relationships matter more. Considering it was dividing a family. Our relationship with God matters more. Considering his soul was pershing. Our souls matter more.
And ultimately, our stuff will NOT be required of us, but our souls will! Our stuff will waste away, they will perish, but our souls will live into eternity!!
How will you live? In order to GAIN MORE….to accumulate more! Or to gain something MORE. Something more than this world can give!!
Will you live in the way of the flesh? The way of carnal thinking. Living for the world. And the love of the things of this world. Or will you live in the way of faith! Will you live in the way of self-sufficiency? Living in unbelief and denyingGod’s provision and blessing. Living for self, and as if you are SOVERIGN….Or will you live in faith, depending on the Lord, resting in Him. Being satisfied in what he gives. Remain content in all circumstances (Phil 4:11) Will live according to the way SELF. Doing what you want, and you desire, gratifying your desires. . Or will you live in the way of the Spirit….Will you live the way of Christ!!
Who wasn’t seeking to lay up for himself treasures on earth. Or living in a way of selfish ambition or in conceit. And instead live for always8for the GLORY OF GOD!
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
If you want to know the opposite of greed. The opposite of covetousness. The opposite of living foolishly, the opposite of living in pride. It’s demonstrated the way of Christ!
TheLord Jesus demonstrated true love through grace-filled self-giving. Though rich in heavenly glory, He willingly laid aside His rights and privileges, entered this fallen world, and gave Himself for sinners.
Freeing them from the bondage of GREED and selfishness! Rescuing sinners from the wrath to come!! Saving sinners, who must give account of their SOULS to GOD!!
Christ did NOT cling to His riches — He poured Himself out.
He considered the treasure of heaven and chose the poverty of coming to this sinful world to rescue sinners, to RESTORE us TO God, that we might enjoy the eternal riches of His glory.
The chains of greed that ensnared our hearts are broken of their slavish grip when our hearts are gripped by the grace of God, through His death and resurrection.
The gospel does NOT merely command generosity; it creates it. Jesus lived it! And grace received is most often evidenced by generous giving.
Grace transforms selfish hearts into worshipful, giving hearts. Those who have truly been gripped by the grace of Christ cannot remain enslaved to selfishness. The gospel loosens our grip on earthly treasures because our hearts have found a greater treasure in Christ Himself.
21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
And so, I see this little phase…..being RICH TOWARD GOD…..I look at that, and I just think, “What’s that mean!!” But I know this -whatever it means….I WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!!
And I take that phrase to mean that we are increasingly drawn toward God as our supreme highest treasure. NOT a treasure in our possessions, but treasuringChrist!
It’s the mind of Paul in Philippians 3:7-11
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
And so, if you will, I want to close by giving to us 10 things, very practical applications, of what I think this phrase means.
And beforeI say that this isn’t me preaching to you….This means pleading with my own heart, as I, too, want this. And I pray this be your desire as well.
1. Being Rich Towards God means – I seek to live for God’s glory as my highest ambition in life. That I don’t seek to make a name for myself or build a platform and kingdom of my own. But in everything, whether at home or away, I make it my aim to please him (2 Cor 5:9). That I do everything for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31) .
2. Being Rich Towards God means – I increasingly trust my heavenly father to give to me exactly what I need and EVERYTHING that I need.
Phil 4:19-20 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
3. Being Rich Towards God means – I am NOT enslaved by materialism and accumulating more treasures. Or the temptation to build bigger barns for myself. That I have a loose grip on my possessions and am willing to part with any of them should Christ desire.
4. Being Rich Towards God means – I be freed from any love for money or greed, or shameful gain.
5. Being Rich Towards God means – I have eyes to see how I might steward the blessings of God, the harvest of the field of my life, to bless others rather than to gain more. That I consider how the gospel might be further. The Kingdom of God be extended. His church supported. And His gospel advanced in the world.
6. Being Rich Towards God means – that I am increasingly aware of God’s gracious provision and cultivate a heart of thankfulness to God for what He’s given me!
1 Timothy 6:6-7
godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
7. Being Rich Towards God means - that my grip on life as precious to me would increasingly wane compared to the treasure found in Jesus. That I earnestly evaluate where my treasure of spending is, because it often reveals where my heart is.
8. Being Rich Towards God means – I live with an eternal perspective, knowing that I will one day give an account for my life. That I use my time, resources, and gifts for His glory, knowing that only what is done for Christ will last forever.
9. Being Rich Towards God means – I increasingly delight in giving than in receiving. That I look for opportunities to demonstrate this in my life. For this is the way of Christ, and the promise of Christ himself who said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
10. Being Rich Towards God means - that Jesus is my highest treasure and my highest prize.
Sermon Summary: Greed will rob you of joy in Christ.
But the gospel frees us from the slavery of earthly treasures, that we might find our greater joy in Jesus!!
