Riches in Heaven

Quite the opposite

Who is this parable for?

The man in the crowd

His brother, with the inheritance

The crowd, and eventually, us

The man in the Crowd

Appeal to authority - “Be on my side”

Echoes of the prodigal son

The brother with the inheritance

The temptation to keep it all for themselves

Jesus cuts to the quick:

What is this really about?

Selfishness

What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops. So he tore down his barns and built bigger ones

The New International Version Chapter 12

This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones

We convince ourselves that we’re poorly off.

The New International Version Chapter 12

You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry

Convince ourselves to put ourselves first

Hezekiah 6:1 “The Lord helps those who help themselves”

Budgeting story

Same & different

One in the community of Sinners

One in the community of God’s blessing

Lukan sandwich

The New International Version Chapter 12

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

The New International Version Chapter 12

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Selfishness leads to worry

worry leqds to grasping too much

Story of all creation, and we’re part of it.

Image from my book

Scarcity vs. abundance

Abundant towards God

πλουτέω

Plouteo - not abundant towards God

What does it look like to be abundant towards God?

Trust

Give

Share

Pray about how you can put these things into practice in your life