Jesus Warns Against Greed and Offers a New Priority for our Stuff: RRE 49
RRE Oct 29 from One Life Network on Vimeo.
[13] Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” [14] But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” [15] And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” [16] And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, [17] and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ [18] And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ [20] But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ [21] So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:13–21 ESV
Some guys are arguing over an inheritance and they come to Jesus. Jesus didn’t get caught up in the arguments, but instead told them a parable to teach them about greed.
Jesus’ warning is to not get your identity from your pleasure and your things. We have to be careful about having a life full of just getting a bunch of stuff and striving for a comfy, cozy life all to himself.
Are we trying to build up our own comfort and pleasure for no reason? We might not be here tomorrow, and all we’ll leave behind is our meager attempt at being comfortable.
Our true treasure is in Christ; treasure in heaven that is better than anything we can attain here. A true treasure is one that you can share with others and not worry about losing or having a shortage or running out. As we share our true eternal treasure with others, it is actually something that grows as more and more people find their identity in Christ instead of their stuff.
Extra Credit: More from Luke 12