Rich Toward God

Luke 12:13-21

Opening: Brian’s dad – ‘chasin’ the almighty dollar’

Luke 12:13-21 Read 13-15 for now – Interesting/odd request?

· Rabbi’s were arbiters of law (Jesus not) then start the story at beginning of ch 12

o Like children - parent giving road danger lesson – kids not listening

o Jesus talking about true life – man looking at what is in front of him

· Guard yourself against greed – be aware of it and protect yourself from it, because:

o Dangers of Greed - There is more to life than ‘stuff’

· Jesus goes on to tell a parable: tell it as a story up to v 20

o He had a decision to make – what to do with abundance?

o Say’s to his soul, ‘soul, let the party begin!’

§ I’ve worked hard, now I’ll enjoy the fruit of my labor

· Maybe at this point your thinking the man sounds pretty smart?

§ Story-‘Queen of Versailles’ – countdown – American retirement plan

· V 20 – God said to him – Fool!! – Read v 20-21

o What?!?! It was all going so good – but he forgot most important things- God

§ A fool lacks good judgment.

· Look at all of the I’s and Me’s he uses

· His conversation with soul reveals the sin

· Use of word ‘soul’. He has no say over life. Stuff didn’t secure life

· Someone else is going to end up with your stuff. Read Ps 39:6

Application: Prov 30:8-9 the danger in abundance is ‘lack of God.’

· We are a wealthy culture. Mans tendency toward Greedcombined with the abundance puts us at risk of making us ‘poor toward God.’

· Godlessness leads to selfishness – every time (state Big Idea), marriage, financial planning/stewardship – all end in self focus. A desire for your own pleasure

§ Tithing misconception: I give 10%, the rest is mine to spend – not true

· Wealth/possessions shouldn’t be source- identity or security or pleasure-not source life

· 1 Tim 6:17-19 – it is God who richly provides - not stuff

o Be rich in good deeds, generous givers, sharing with others

o This is where we find what is truly life

§ The rich man was none of these things – only rich in stuff

· Life is not found in the abundance of possessions, but in being rich in God.

· Read Luke 12:32-42. Faith in Jesus results in treasure in heaven

o Jesus’ victory over sin and death is the reason that the world’s riches should mean little to us. We’re a child of the king, and heir of the kingdom.

o We no longer love the things we used to – we have been taught about Jesus – this truth renews the attitude of our minds – we no longer live for what is in front of us

o Jesus’ victory is our victory

§ The current of kingdom life flows against the current of worldly life.

o Understanding this should challenge our: retirement plans, career goals, advise to kids, purpose of life. Does the truth that life is found in being rich toward God, and not found in the abundance ‘possessions’ contradict the way you live?

§ God is the source who richly provides for our enjoyment, and He is the sovereign over our every breath. In Him life is found.

§ If we pursue God’s kingdom above all else, we will find life in abundance.

1 Tim 6:17-19**. Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

Ps 39:6. Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away.”

Proverbs: 30:8-9. Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread, lest I become satisfied and act deceptively and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I become poor and steal and demean the name of my God.

Good deeds, generous givers, isn’t where salvation comes from (it’s from faith alone), but it’s the result of the sanctifying work of the spirit that takes place in every person who knows that life doesn’t come from an abundance of possessions, but only from Jesus.