"Life Is NOT Measured by How Much You Own"

Luke 12:13–15 (CSB)

13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Context

We are told by Luke in verse one of the text that “a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another.” Jesus began to caution his disciples to guard against hypocrisy (PLAY-ACTING). Because the time will come when everything done or said behind closed door will brought to light.

Caution:

“Fear God who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Interruption

Jesus is interrupted with a personal matter/ prayer request, to intervene in a family matter. The someone in the crown asked Jesus to take his side in a family financial dispute.

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus ministry was accustom to frequent interruptions with request to deliver, heal the sick , the blind. BUT Jesus refused to get involved by replying I am not a judge or divider over you.

From the outside looking in, this request seem fair and as a matter of justice, why is Jesus refusing to help this person get his share of the inheritance?

Congregation caution: As a Christian, be careful who side you take, what causes you take on in the name of justice and fairness. Today talk of justices / rights: LGBTQ, abortion, Pro-life on and on. Beware of all kind of greed, personal agendas that distract you from your calling.

@ the Heart of the Request

Jesus takes the opportunity to address the crowd what is behind his request-uncontrolled longing for increase or use of material gains, social value, status or power. Greed -Jesus says “All kinds of greed.”

Conversation w/ Devin

This week I had a phone conversion with a young brother about buying his first car.

He share with me that he learned not to get attached to things because he live in a certain State with frequent hurricane and he has seeing how quickly you can lose your possessions.

So is often the case when we pray, God is interested in dealing with our hearts then just granting requests(answering prayers)

James 4:3 says “You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Finally, if life is Not measured by how much we own, than how do we measured our time(LIFE) between birth and our transition from this earth?

One day, your life will be demanded of you by the one who give you life. What measurement will He use to measure your life. What your possessions worthy to God your creator?

Next week we will continue on this subject.