“DON'T BE A FOOL!”
Luke 12:20
"But God said unto him, THOU FOOL, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"
A man in the crowd interrupted Jesus and asked Him to solve a family problem. Rabbis were expected to help settle legal matters, but Jesus refused to get involved because He knew that no answer He gave would solve the real problem, which was "COVETOUSNESS" in the hearts of the two brothers (The "you" in Luke 12:14 is plural).
They were both greedy, but their greatest need was to change their hearts. Many of us today want Jesus to serve us and not serve Him. Covetousness is an unquenchable thirst for getting more and more of something we think we need to be truly satisfied. It may be a thirst for money or the things that money can buy or even a desire for position and power. Jesus made it clear that true life does not depend on an abundance of possessions. He did not deny that we have certain basic needs. but God wants us to hear Jesus in
Matt. 6:32-34:
"(For after all these things o the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
I Tim. 6:17
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in "uncertain riches, But in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."
Jesus let us know that we will not make life richer by acquiring more of these things. Many KINGDOM BELIEVERS are infected with covetousness and do not know it. Jesus gave us this parable to reveal the danger that lurks in a covetous heart. Test your response to this farmer's experience as you hear this. People of God, there are perils to prosperity.
Prov. 30:7-9
"Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die;
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient (of my allowance) for me:
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
Covetous wealth can choke the Word of God:
Matt. 13:22
"He also that received see mong the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."
It also creates snares and temptations, but Tim. 6:6-10,17-19 tells us:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world, and we certainly carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
v. 17
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy:
That they o good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Laying up in store for themselves good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
People say that money does not satisfy. But it does satisfy if you want to live on that level. People who are satisfied only with what money can buy are in great danger of losing the things that money cannot buy. Most people, like this farmer, see wealth as an opportunity to please themself. They have no thought for others or God. Now don't misunderstand me here; there is nothing wrong with following sound business principles or even with saving for the future:
I Tim 5:8
"But if any provide not for his own and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (unbeliever)."
Jesus does not encourage waste:
John 6:12
"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragment that remain that nothing be lost."
So God doesn't encourage selfishness motivated by covetousness. Jesus made it clear that true life does not come from an abundance of things, nor do true success or security. Like many of us, this man had a false view of both life and death. He thought that life came from accumulating things and that death was far away. God is not impressed with our money. Wealth can be enjoyed and employed at the same time if our purpose is to honor God:
I Tim. 6:10
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
I pray this Word of God is a blessing to your life!
Love
Bishop T. W. Jackson I, ThM
