11th Sunday Pentecost

“Where is Your Treasure?”

LUKE 12:13‑21

13. Someone in a group of people said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to give‑me my share of the things our father left‑over for us.”

14. Jesus asked the man, “Man, who chose me to be your judge or divide your things?

15. Be‑careful. Guard against every different‑kind of selfishness. Also if you have more than enough for yourself, be‑careful because earthly things can’t give you life.”

16. Then Jesus told a story:

17. “A rich man had a good growth on his land. ‘What will I do?’ The man said to himself. ‘I have no place to put my food.’

18. Finally the man decided, ‘I know what I will do. I will tear‑down my storage houses and build larger houses for all the food.

19. Then I will say, “See, you have many things saved through the years. Now begin an easy life, eat, drink and enjoy yourself.”’

20. But God said, ‘You fool, tonight you will die. And all that you prepared, who will get it?’

21. That is how it happens if you save earthly things for yourself, and you prepared nothing for heaven with God.”

Intro

We all make JUDGMENTS in life. We make judgments between this car and that car. We judge whether (balance) we can afford this house or that house. We make little judgments too (also). Should I put on this shirt or those pants? Should I put up my hair or leave it down? You made a decision or JUDGMENT about sleeping in (long) this morning or coming to church! Right? We make all different kinds of judgments!

We constantly are judging things and people. People are constantly judging our actions and us. This is life under the Law (10 Commandments). This is life in the “kingdom of the left” or the “kingdom of this world.” This world (place) we live in is run by rules, laws, force, and especially by judgments. The laws keep people in balance. The law keeps evil in check (stop).

If a person does something wrong, the person is judged under the law. Romans 13:1-5, “1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience.”[1]

How do we make judgments? Is it OK to judge others? In our reading this morning a man comes to Jesus and asks Jesus to make a judgment. “Teacher, tell my brother to give-me my share of the things our father left-over for us.” Jesus gives the man a surprising answer. Verses 14-15 Jesus answers, “Man, who chose me to be your judge or divide your things? Be‑careful. Guard against every different‑kind of selfishness. Also if you have more than enough for yourself, be‑careful because earthly things can’t give you life.”

Wow! Jesus gives the man a hard answer, almost an insulting answer, “Man, who chose me to be your judge or divide your things?” Jesus had no governmental authority to make any judgment. Jesus had no right to decide or judge between the two brothers. Perhaps (maybe), as a rabbi (teacher) under Jewish law, Jesus would have had some spiritual authority. This is why Jesus asks the question “who chose me?” The man, himself, had decided or made Jesus the judge. The man placed (fist put) Jesus in that judgment seat. Jesus did not take this authority on his own initiative (invent)!

However (but), Jesus apparently (mirror) gives his judgment to the man because the man asked. Jesus says, “Be-careful. Guard against every different-kind of selfishness. Also if you have more than enough for yourself, be-careful because earthly things can’t give you life.”

Wow! I am sure that was not the answer the man wanted to hear (know). I am sure the man wanted to hear Jesus condemn (judge) his brother harshly (rough). I am sure the man wanted to hear how mean and selfish his brother was by hording (gather-selfish) all the money, house, and things to himself.

Jesus instead warns the man to “Be-careful!” Jesus is saying the problem usually does not rest (set-up) on the other person. The problem usually rests (set-up) in our own selfish heart. Yes! The problem is in us! The problem is our old sinful nature! Our stubborn selfish wants! The problem is I! The old story, we point 1 finger at our brother while (same) 3 of our fingers are pointing back at us. “I want to prove I am right and you are wrong!”

Lutherans have always taught (teach), in agreement with the Bible, that we should never judge each other as individuals. Never! We should judge according to the office we have been given, by the word of God, and mostly importantly by mercy with the intent of helping the brother/sister see the error in his/her way. Never judge someone on your own authority! We direct ourselves to Matthew 18 in an individual case. First we go privately! 2nd we go with a brother in humble heart to have discussion. Lastly, we bring it before the church if necessary! Keeping in mind (remember) at every point we may be proven wrong and may stand corrected ourselves! Finally, our intention (hunger) should be to restore (bring home) our brother or sister, not destroy them!

We remember as individuals we have no right to judge others. Matthew 7:1-5, “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. 2 For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. 3 And why worry about a speck [tiny] in your friend’s eye when you have a log [big] in your own? 4 How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid [out] of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! [Pretender] First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps [maybe] you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.[2]

Maybe, someone will say, “Pastor, how can you say our sins are forgiven…? How can you make that judgment, if we are not supposed (must) judge others?” And I will say according to my office as Pastor your sins are forgiven. According to the promises in God’s word, the Bible, your sins are forgiven, and by the mercies won at the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you.

Maybe, someone will say, “Pastor, that is none of your business what I do in my life. If I want to be a drunkard, you can do anything about it. If I want to live with a woman before I marry her, tough. We are in love, who cares what I do in private. If I want to be gay, then tough no one has a right to judge me. I love that person and it is OK! I can do whatever I wish! No one has right to tell what I can and can’t do! Hmm!

And I will say according to my office as a Pastor, your sins are NOT forgiven. According to the threats and punishments in God’s word, the Bible, your sins are against you, and by the power of an Almighty God you shall not escape destruction! [Luke 17:3-4 Matt. 10:15]

Both are valid (good)! Jesus says in Matthew 28:19, “18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [3] We have been told to “Go!” and “Teach!” and do these things in Jesus’ name!

The rich man was very foolish! The rich man is a warning to us! The rich man thought (think) he owned the land, houses, crops, and etc. The rich man thought those things were his forever and he could do as he wished (wanted). Foolish!

If the truth were known among us, we would know we own nothing. Everything belongs to God! We are only stewards (care-takers) of God’s blessings. There is only one gift that God does not take back from us, our soul. However (but), God demands an accounting even (also) of that gift. Verse 20 of our reading, “You fool, tonight you will die!”

The rich man forgot there is another kingdom. The true kingdom that is invisible to us. God’s kingdom is coming! We pray often, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done.” This is life coming in the “kingdom of the right” or the “kingdom of heaven.” Our treasure should be placed there (heaven). Verse 21, “…[You] save earthly things for yourself, and you prepared nothing for heaven with God.” Be careful! Guard your heart! Prepare for heaven! Have the oil ready in your lamps! Have faith in Jesus! Share your faith in Jesus before the groom [Jesus] shuts the door to the honeymoon suite (room)! Don’t worry so much about this world! Rejoice in the world coming! Prepare for that world by Word and Sacrament! Prepare for that world by becoming fishers of men (people). Prepare for that world by depending and believing in Jesus alone! Prepare for that world by looking to the promises of the Bible! Prepare for that world by looking to God our Father everyday for His blessings and treasures! Look to Jesus! Amen

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[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

[2]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

[3]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.