7 And Then It's All Gone...

Introduction

Back to the Parables of Jesus – The Kingdom Is Near

As we build our house on the rock, and make sure it is in order, filling with the Spirit and Word, how big are we to build? Hoarders? Hoarding knowledge without action. Hoarding resources without sharing.

The parables lead us increasingly into how to live as Kingdom people in this world. This parable helps us get our head and heart aligned for Kingdom living. The details of Kingdom living will follow in future parables.

Luke 12: At the start of chapter 12, a crowd of thousands had gathered. Jesus first warns his disciples - Guard against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Then teaching the crowd, your worth before God, don’t fear others. Then someone calls out a request in v.13. Very similar passage to Matthew 6.

Jesus responds to the request in a way that was not expected by His listeners.

Read Luke 12:13-14

Jesus is a Rabbi - normally request for judgment to scribe, lawyer, judge.

Luke 12:15 NIV

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.”

To them = the crowd.

Warning - Watch Out.

Jesus responded to the request with a warning for all the people.

Guard Against Greed

Often we find that a surface issue has a much deeper root cause. In order to fix the problem, we first have to dig out the root problem and confess it to God.

Here, Jesus shows that this man’s request has a deeper problem - greed. Soon we’ll see that greed is driven by an even deeper issue.

Life is not about accumulating wealth or possessions.

Your worth as a person is not determined by how much you own.

This man was focused on grabbing what he perceived to be his rightful inheritance.

Greed is the pursuit of more.

Greed drives foolish decisions

Read parable:

Luke 12:16–20 NIV

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “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. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “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?’

Man in parable was rich, owned land, planted crops, had a huge harvest. Addresses himself. “I tell you what let’s do…”

Do we sometimes feel like we’ve got it made? Or maybe we’re looking for that day when we do. Win the lottery. Hit the big one. Get the dream job.

Work hard, store it up, save for later, and then what? It rots, it gets stolen, the market crashes, or we die. Then who will get what you prepared for yourself? v.20 Hopefully at least your family will benefit.

Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Luke 12:21 NIV

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

Rich Toward God

Rich – having more than is needed. “Store up for yourself but not rich toward God”

What does it mean to be rich toward God? One version says rich relationship. That doesn’t seem right.

Rich toward God = Having plenty to give away. Knowing that when it is given away it is replaced to be given again. As in the widow’s mite. giving to the poor, needy, powerless, naked, homeless, hungry, oppressed.

Our fallen nature, our human instinct says to get all we can, store it for later, whoever works the hardest gets the most.

God’s plan from the beginning of Creation was work for enough, take time to rest, grow relationships, really live.

Live with open hands, all given to God to use as He sees fit and put back in the hand what He wants there.

Jesus also lived out that philosophy and attitude. His context was the broken world, so He was about bringing justice to the oppressed and life to the dying. His focus was on those who recognized their need.

Indonesia examples

In Indonesia, we realized just how wealthy we are in America. Money, travel, car, house, etc. And they knew it. And if foreigners were stingy and didn’t share from the blessings God gave them, there were people who would help them share. Belongings would start to walk away. We learned to live with an open hand. Let God put in and take out, hold it loosely so it doesn’t hurt when He requires something from us.

His parables will show us how to live our lives rich toward God.

Jesus didn’t explain to the crowd what it meant to be rich toward God. He gave the warning.

Jesus made His point to the crowd but then brought it home to the disciples.

Read through Luke 12:22-34

In this follow up passage Jesus shows us how to have enough.

How To Have Enough

One of the roots of greed is fear. Fear of not having enough.

Don’t worry - v.22

v.30 Your Father knows that you need food, clothing, shelter.

The birds don’t plant or store up food.

Seek the Kingdom v. 31

Because the Father knows - seek the Kingdom. Live with an open hand. Look for the other who is in need. Give when you have, receive when you need.

Store Treasure In Heaven v.33

Does God really and literally mean for us to sell all we have and give it away?

What about the rich young ruler?

The point is, don’t lift up any of these things in place of God. Don’t put more importance on them.

Matthew 6 is a parallel passage covering these same principles.

Give in secret and our Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Paul said he is content with a lot and content with little.

God finds His pleasure in those who wholeheartedly follow Him. Let’s find our pleasure in Him as well. Trade the temporary riches of this world for the lasting wealth of riches we inherit as children of the King.

v.34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. and vice-versa

Story of Bill “Bob”. Wealth, things. Men’s small group. Missions. Giving. Downsizing. Open hand. God’s blessing and gifting is making money to build the Kingdom.

Conclusion

Big Idea: I am truly rich when I invest my heart and treasure in God’s Kingdom.

What About You?

Where is your treasure? Where is your heart?

Personally – are we storing up treasure on earth or in Heaven? Are we being generous? Are we living rich toward God?

Collectively – What about our life as a church, the body of Christ? Are we generous? Are we using our resources to benefit the most people? Our community? Our brothers and sisters?

If we align our hearts and minds with the Kingdom, if we focus on things above, if we are generous toward others in need, God sees, He answers, He provides, and our treasure is secure with Him.