Rich Toward God
Luke 12:13-21
Introduction
1.
The goal of most – to be
“successful” – but what is success?
2.
It is God who ultimately decides
who is a failure and who is a success
3.
Consider the case of the man who
pleaded with Jesus to make his brother share the inheritance
4.
Those whom God considers
“fools” – Psalm 14:1 and here – Proverbs is filled with
references to “fools,” in interesting
Discussion
1.
The things the rich fool was
concerned with were all material – vss 13-21
a.
His crops – The question everyone
wants to know, “How much are you going to pay me?” or “What’s in it for
me?”
b.
His barns – Why do barns always
have to be bigger? – houses, cars, offices, benefits?
c.
His retirement – the life style
has to be maintained – enough to be at ease, to eat drink and be merry –
some say that you need as much money in retirement as you do while you are
working
2.
Things that he ought to have been
concerned with are all spiritual – vss 22-34
a.
His family – perhaps he reasoned
that he was doing it all for his family – but it was prepared for himself
i.
Your family needs to know the Lord
– Eph 6:2
ii.
Your family needs to worship God
b.
His neighbors
i.
Perhaps he could have used his
neighbors’ barns
ii.
He could have given the excess
above his needs to the poor
iii.
There is no indication of any kind
of concern for his neighbors, for their souls or the bodies – he going to
“eat, drink and be merry”
c.
The
i.
He could have used the excess to
build a synagogue for some poor community
ii.
He could have used the opportunity
to become a scribe instructed in the
d.
His own soul
i.
We take care of our bodies
ii.
We take care of our minds
iii.
We take care of our spirits
iv.
But what provision have you made
for your own soul? – Matt
Conclusion
1.
The point that Jesus makes:
“Beware of covetousness” – it sneaks up on you, it does its work
like a termite – the damage is discovered too late and all is lost
2.
Consider the difference between the
life of Jesus and the life of the farmer he describes
3.
Sunday is the most important day of
the week – we meet to worship God – it is intended that worship makes us
different
4.
You can survive without money –
you cannot survive without God