LUKE 12:13-20
THE MONEY ISSUE
"When Edwin St. John Ward was in charge of the American Hospital in Beirut, a Syrian came to him with a strange complaint. The man had been attacked by bandits. To save 26 gold pounds he carried, his total wealth, he swallowed them. The money had so weighted his stomach that his whole digestive system was thrown out of order. He could get no good from food, even if he could afford it.
"When Dr. Ward expressed his skepticism of the veracity of the story, the man lay down and rattled the coins so the physician could hear them clink in his abdomen. Dr. Ward operated and removed the golden sovereigns from the man's abdomen. The recuperating man's eyes gleamed as Dr. Ward handed him the newly cleaned gold coins.
"The poor Syrian' s plight, both tragic and ludicrous as it was, fairly describes the conditions of many people. They have gold or gold has them, but they are starving for the real food of life.
"At a Verdi festival of which Arturo Toscanini was scheduled to conduct several of the concerts, an envious rival was approached to take one of the other performances.
"’I WILL,’ he agreed, ‘on ONE CONDITION... IF YOU WILL PAY ME ONE LIRA MORE THAN TOSCANINI RECEIVES...’”
His request was granted and after the concert this conductor received his check-for one lira! Toscanini had conducted without charge in homage to Verdi.
These illustrations point out a common problem among men. That problem is greed, or covetousness. Many are never satisfied with what they have, and always looking to have more in the way of money or things. And, we as Christians must be careful, for it is easy for us to fall into this same sin.
This morning, Jesus tells us a classic parable about greed, in Luke 12:13-21. The parable was actually prompted by a request that our Lord received.
Vs. 13 - It appears that our Lord was interrupted. Our Lord was talking about the false teaching of the Pharisees, and about not fearing men, but fearing God. He had just taught about the help of the Holy Spirit during persecution.
This man seems to have had something entirely different on his mind. Like us, sometimes, someone is explaining something and our mind is a hundred miles away. I'll be reading something at a nursing home and the moment I stop, someone says something totally off the wall, showing he or she wasn't with me at all!
The man's request was that Jesus speak to his brother about properly dividing an inheritance. Whether the man had a case or not, we do not know. Rabbis where asked to act as judge between people on certain occasions, so such a request was probably not uncommon.
Vs. 14 - Our Lord refused. This was not the time when Jesus was here to resolve these kinds of issues. He was here to teach, not to play judge.
He was here to go to the cross not to involve himself in arbitration. On Jesus' second visit to earth He will judge and rule.
During first visit he evangelized, taught, and died for our sins.
Vs. 15 - We see that our Lord had a real understanding of what this man's problem really was. The Scriptures say that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. As God, Jesus certainly knew the heart, the motive of the man.
The man was greedy or covetous.
William Hendriksen - "The Greek word for greed literally means: the thirst for having more, always having more and more and still more. It is as if a man in order to quench his thirst takes a drink of salt water which happens to be the only water that is available. This makes him still more thirsty. So he drinks again, and again, until his thirst kills him." William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary – Luke (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1978) p. 662
Our Lord warns here that "...A MAN'S LIFE CONSISTETH NOT IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS WHICH HE POSSESSETH."
Real life is not based on what we have in the way of money or possessions.
One could have a billion dollars in investments, own 5 homes, have 6 cars, buy a new wardrobe every six months and still be as Spiritually dead as a doornail.
Even Christians can have many things in this world, and still be absolutely miserable. True living does not come from possessions, but from Christ.
Our Lord goes on to tell the story of a rich, but foolish farmer. In this story we find some principles, from which we, as believers can benefit.
1. PROSPERITY COMES FROM GOD - Vs. 16
Notice the way this verse is worded. It was the land of this rich man that was responsible for the man's wealth. God had given this man a very good piece of property.
God has ordained that we work. A lazy man should not expect a giveaway. The Bible says that if a man doesn't work he shouldn't eat.
As far as I can see, God has no problem with men and women striving to do their very best within they're given professions.
Colossians 3:17 - AND WHATSOEVER YE DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS TO GOD AND THE FATHER BY HIM.
Colossians 3:23 - AND WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO IT HEARTILY, AS TO THE LORD, AND NOT UNTO MEN;
1 Corinthians 10:31 - WHETHER THEREFORE YE EAT, OR WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
No matter how hard we work, we must realize and accept something which the man in this parable did not. It is God who keeps us healthy so we can work. It is God who allows us to be productive. It is God who gives us our wisdom.
It is God who has allowed us to have whatever we have been blessed with. It is God who allows circumstances to be such that we prosper.
PROSPERITY COMES FROM GOD
2. GOD CAN BE LEFT OUT - Vss. 17-18
This man was obviously thankless.
And, when God blesses us with abundance, he expects us to share it with those less fortunate. This way, God is included in our wealth. We are then considering what He would have us to do.
1 John 3:17 - BUT WHOSOEVER HATH THIS WORLD'S GOOD, AND SEETH HIS BROTHER HAVE NEED, AND SHUTTETH UP HIS COMPASSIONS FROM HIM, HOW DWELLETH THE LOVE OF GOD IN HIM?
Ephesians 4:28 - LET HIM THAT STOLE STEAL NO MORE, BUT, RATHER LET HIM LABOR, WORKING WITH HIS HANDS THE THING WHICH IS GOOD, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM THAT NEEDEDTH.
O.D.B. - "An elderly fisherman was known for his generosity because he fed many hungry people during the hard winters. Now at 73 years of age he had only $60 to his name. Yet he insisted on buying food for needy children in his neighborhood. Someone said to him one day, "YOU'RE GETTING OLD. YOU SHOULDN'T GIVE AWAY YOUR LAST DIME." He replied, "MY FRIEND, GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF ME. I COULDN'T LET THESE YOUNGSTERS GO HUNGRY, COULD I?" Our Daily Bread, Date unknown
"D. L. Moody often said, "I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AMBITIOUS. AMBITIOUS TO LEAVE NO WEALTH OR POSSESSIONS." His desire was realized Although thousands of dollars passed through his hands, he prayerfully gave it all away."
Back to the man in our story. Besides not sharing the abundance God had given him, we see that this man left God out in another way.
Notice that he left God out of his plans.
In Vss. 17-19 he uses the word "I" 6 times. And, he uses the Word "my" 5 times.
It was "my crops," and "my barns" and "my grain", and "my goods", and "my soul". There was no recognition of God's ownership of these things, and thus no room for including God in the plans.
I find an interesting parallel between this man, and the one who is found in James 4:13-17. Please turn there.
Vs. 13 - Both were making their own plans for the purpose of their own personal profit.
Vs. 14 - Neither man was considering the uncertainties of the future. One says, "I'll go to such and such a city and make money." The other says , "I'll tear down barns and put up bigger ones."
Vs. 15 - Neither one considered the Lord's will. It is very easy to make plans without asking God what He expects from us.
Vs. 16 - Both were boastful, as if they controlled their own destinies.
Vs. 17 - Both probably realized there was a better way to things, but didn't do it.
My dear friend, our lives as Christians would be so much more profitable if we would consult with God before we made decisions.
Let us claim God's promise in Psalm 32:8
Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
GOD CAN BE LEFT OUT
3. LEISURE, IN ITSELF, IS NOT A GOOD GOAL - Vs. 19
Notice the ultimate goal of this man. He wanted to be able to say to himself, "You have lots of resources hoarded up, now, just take it easy."
"Eat, drink, and be merry."
There are many good goals, for Christians to have, but leisure is not one of them. There is a time for leisure, but continual leisure leads to overindulgence. Continual leisure ignores the will of God. Leisure as a goal does not please God.
Some better goals. -
Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Philippians 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
By the way, there is nothing wrong with retirement. There is nothing wrong with taking it a little easy once in a while. But it is wrong to have leisure as the ultimate goal of your life,.
LEISURE, IN ITSELF, IS NOT A GOOD GOAL
4. GOD HAS FINAL SAY ON ALL OUR PLANS VS. 20
Notice what God calls this man. He calls him a fool!
Why was this man a fool?
He didn't consider God as important.
He didn't consider God's will important.
He thought he could function without God.
If you asked if he believed in God, he would have probably said "Yes".
He was probably an upstanding citizen. But he was a fool none the less.
God has total control of how long you have to live. He doesn't make mistakes. For this man to presume he could do anything save but by God's permission was ridiculous.
This is a good reminder for us. We do not know how long we have to live for the Lord. This man was told - THIS VERY NIGHT YOUR SOUL IS REQUIRED OF YOU.
If you plan on living for yourself now and the Lord later, I'd think twice. Living for the Lord better be a priority, for you never know when time is up.
Hebrews 9:27 - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
GOD HAS FINAL SAY ON ALL OUR PLANS
5. YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. VS. 21
For all this man's planning, his treasures were now going to be in the hands of someone else. No one has yet found a way to take it with them! Even though I'm seeing and hearing of people putting things in caskets, it won't work!
"Charles Kropp, a man who loved life in his modest way and remarried at the age of 81 with bright hopes for the future, would have become a millionaire from a lottery, but he died before getting the money.
"A man of steady habits, Kropp liked to dream of the chance to make it big. He was a regular purchaser of Connecticut Lottery tickets as well, buying a couple of dollar's worth each week.
"Nine days before he was married to Rose Paquett, 68, a widow, he picked up a $25 season ticket to the Massachusetts lottery. It assured him of a once a week chance at the million dollar top prize in the state's big money game. (One) Wednesday night his number came up for the first prize. But he died 3 minutes before
"The cash will go to his estate and the courts will determine who among his survivors will receive the annual checks of $50,000 for the next 20 years." Even if he got the money 3 minutes before he died, he could not bring it along.
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
6. BEING RICH TOWARDS GOD IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE VS. 21
The man in our story could have been rich towards God, but wasn't.
How can you and I be rich towards God?
1. BE SAVED - John 14:1-6 - God has a place for the saved.
2. WIN SOULS - Daniel 12:3
AND THEY THAT BE WISE SHALL SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT; AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AS THE STARS FOREVER AND EVER.
3. BE FAITHFUL - 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I HAVEN FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH: HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, SHALL GIVE ME AT THAT DAY: AND OT TO ME ONLY, BUT UNTO ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING.
4. INVEST IN GOD'S WORK - Matthew 6:19-21
LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES BREAK THROUGH AND STEAL: BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES DO NOT BREAK THROUGH NOR STEAL: FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO.
5. ABIDE IN CHRIST
John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:11 - These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
PROSPERITY COMES FROM GOD
GOD CAN BE LEFT OUT
LEISURE IN ITSELF, IS NOT A GOOD GOAL
GOD HAS FINAL SAY ON ALL OUR PLANS
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
BEING RICH TOWARDS GOD IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE
1. Be Saved
2. Win Souls
3. Be Faithful
4. Invest in God's Work
5. Abide in Christ