Prioritizing God Over Wealth: A Call to Generosity

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the parable from Luke 12:13-21, where Jesus teaches us about the dangers of covetousness and the importance of having our priorities right. The central theme is the balance between wealth and wisdom, emphasizing that while it is not wrong to increase riches, it is foolish to let them become the master of our lives. Jesus warns us that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, but rather in our relationship with God. The rich man in the parable made the mistake of being self-centered, failing to recognize God's role in his prosperity, and neglecting to be rich toward God.

We are reminded that everything we have, including our very lives, is a gift from God. Therefore, we must be good stewards of our resources, using them to bless others and advance God's kingdom. The parable challenges us to examine where our hearts truly lie—whether in our possessions or in God. It is crucial to acknowledge God's input in our achievements and to live a life of gratitude and generosity. By doing so, we secure not only our earthly well-being but also our eternal destiny with God.

The message encourages us to be rich toward God by being givers, supporting God's mission, and helping those in need. It is a call to recognize that our wealth is not just for personal enjoyment but also a means to fulfill God's purposes on earth. Ultimately, the lesson is to let God be the master of our lives, ensuring that our prosperity does not hinder our relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Life Beyond Possessions: True life is not measured by material wealth but by our relationship with God. Our possessions should not define us, and we must ensure that our hearts are aligned with God rather than our wealth. [13:49]

2. Stewardship and Accountability: We are entrusted with resources by God and are expected to be good stewards. This means using our wealth to bless others and advance God's kingdom, knowing that we will give an account of how we managed what was given to us. [21:16]

3. The Danger of Self-Centeredness: The rich man's error was his self-centeredness and lack of gratitude. He failed to recognize God's role in his success, which serves as a warning against pride and arrogance in our own lives. [27:44]

4. Being Rich Toward God: To be rich toward God means to prioritize His kingdom and be generous with our resources. This involves supporting God's work and helping those in need, ensuring that our wealth serves a greater purpose. [35:47]

5. Eternal Perspective: Our focus should be on securing our eternal destiny with God rather than solely accumulating earthly wealth. By acknowledging God's role in our lives and being generous, we lay up treasures in heaven. [42:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:31] - Gratitude for the Year
- [09:52] - Increase Riches, Don't Be a Fool
- [10:52] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
- [12:03] - The Danger of Covetousness
- [13:49] - Prioritizing God Over Possessions
- [21:16] - The Error of Self-Centeredness
- [27:44] - Recognizing God's Role
- [32:00] - Being Rich Toward God
- [35:47] - Generosity and God's Kingdom
- [38:08] - The Warning Against Wealth
- [39:06] - Principles of Giving
- [40:23] - Vanity of Earthly Pursuits
- [42:29] - Eternal Perspective
- [43:37] - Serving God, Not Money
- [45:15] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 12:13-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the request made to Jesus by one of the people in the crowd, and how did Jesus respond to it? [10:52]

2. In the parable, what actions did the rich man plan to take with his abundance of crops? [12:03]

3. How did God address the rich man in the parable, and what was the reason for this address? [27:44]

4. What does Jesus emphasize about the nature of life and possessions in this passage? [13:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Jesus warn against covetousness, and how does this relate to the concept of life not consisting in the abundance of possessions? [13:49]

2. How does the parable illustrate the danger of self-centeredness and the lack of gratitude towards God? [21:16]

3. What does it mean to be "rich toward God," and how does this contrast with the rich man's approach in the parable? [32:00]

4. How does the parable challenge the audience to reconsider their priorities and the role of God in their lives? [13:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be prioritizing possessions over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities? [13:49]

2. Consider the resources you have been entrusted with. How can you use them to bless others and advance God's kingdom? [35:47]

3. In what ways can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and recognize God's role in your achievements and possessions? [21:16]

4. How can you actively practice being "rich toward God" in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to support God's mission and help those in need? [32:00]

5. Think about a time when you may have been self-centered in your success. How can you shift your focus to acknowledge God's input and express gratitude? [21:16]

6. How can you ensure that your pursuit of wealth does not hinder your relationship with God? What practical steps can you take to maintain an eternal perspective? [42:29]

7. Identify one way you can be a better steward of your resources this week. How will you implement this change in your life? [35:47]

Devotional

Day 1: True Life is Found in God, Not Possessions
In a world that often equates success with material wealth, it is crucial to remember that true life is not measured by what we own but by our relationship with God. The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 serves as a stark reminder that possessions should not define us. The rich man believed his wealth could secure his future, yet he failed to realize that life is fragile and ultimately in God's hands. Jesus warns us against the danger of letting our hearts be consumed by the pursuit of wealth, urging us instead to prioritize our relationship with God. By doing so, we find a deeper, more fulfilling life that transcends material abundance. [13:49]

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)

Reflection: What is one possession or pursuit that you have allowed to define your identity? How can you shift your focus to find your identity in God instead?


Day 2: Stewardship as a Divine Responsibility
God entrusts us with resources, not for selfish gain, but to be stewards who bless others and advance His kingdom. The parable challenges us to consider how we manage what God has given us. The rich man in the story failed to acknowledge God's role in his prosperity, focusing solely on his own comfort and security. As stewards, we are accountable to God for how we use our resources. This means being intentional about using our wealth to support God's work and help those in need. By doing so, we align our lives with God's purposes and reflect His generosity to the world. [21:16]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current financial situation. How can you intentionally use your resources to bless someone in need this week?


Day 3: The Perils of Self-Centeredness
The rich man's downfall was his self-centeredness and lack of gratitude. He saw his wealth as a product of his own efforts, neglecting to recognize God's hand in his success. This serves as a warning against pride and arrogance in our own lives. When we become self-centered, we lose sight of God's role in our achievements and fail to live a life of gratitude. Instead, we are called to acknowledge God's blessings and respond with humility and thankfulness. By doing so, we open our hearts to God's transformative work and become conduits of His love and grace. [27:44]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent success or achievement. How can you acknowledge God's role in it and express gratitude today?


Day 4: Generosity as a Path to Being Rich Toward God
To be rich toward God means to prioritize His kingdom and be generous with our resources. The parable encourages us to use our wealth not just for personal enjoyment but to support God's mission and help those in need. This involves a shift in perspective, recognizing that our resources are a means to fulfill God's purposes on earth. By being generous, we reflect God's character and participate in His work, ensuring that our wealth serves a greater purpose. This not only enriches our lives but also lays up treasures in heaven, securing our eternal destiny with God. [35:47]

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (Proverbs 19:17, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can be generous with your time, talents, or resources this week to support God's work or help someone in need.


Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
The parable of the rich fool challenges us to focus on securing our eternal destiny with God rather than solely accumulating earthly wealth. By acknowledging God's role in our lives and being generous, we lay up treasures in heaven. This eternal perspective shifts our priorities, helping us to live with purpose and meaning. It reminds us that our time on earth is temporary and that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God's eternal purposes. As we live with this perspective, we find peace and joy in knowing that our lives have lasting significance in God's kingdom. [42:29]

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you adjust your daily habits to reflect an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters in God's kingdom?

Quotes

"Take heed and beware of covetousness. For a man's life consisted not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentiful. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do? Because I have no room where to bestow my roots." [00:11:19] (52 seconds)


"Because it was a lesson that Jesus shared with his disciples and by extension, all of us that we want to learn from. It's a parable that Jesus gave. The scripture for our state. Today is Luke chapter 12, verse 13 to 21. So if you can please take your Bible. As we go through it quickly and then we will pray." [00:10:01] (34 seconds)


"Having our priorities right amen he wants us to have our priorities right that is basically what jesus is trying to tell us it is about who is truly god in our lives it's about you know knowing who god is in our life who is god in your life who is god in my life who are the masters of your life or who is or what is the master of your life is it god or it is your possessions that is basically the point." [00:14:01] (37 seconds)


"Whatever we have Whatever we possess We must understand That it's from God It is God that helps us To have them It is God that helps us To possess them We have no power of our own For this man was just full of himself I will do this I will expand this I will do that He's not being saved by the grace of God He's not acknowledging the input of God He's not acknowledging the workers That help these things to happen He just Focused on himself." [00:24:36] (39 seconds)


"That's what the scripture is saying that's why I have the title increase riches but don't be a fool God is not against increased riches but you become a fool when God is removed from the efforts that acquire you those things when God is not given his right to place when God's glory is being taken away from him because God made the ground good God created the ground God gave him the ground God made the ground to deal the fruits that he had and so after he had boasted about himself and full of himself see how many I I I I in the verse 16 to 19." [00:28:58] (49 seconds)


"Recognize and appreciate God in all you're getting. Amen. In everything that you get, recognize and appreciate God. When you get your paycheck, thank God. God, I thank you for the strength you gave me to do this job, to receive this. If you buy a car, thank God. God, I thank you for this. If you buy a house, thank God. God, I thank you. No, always know that there is an input of God in whatever you have been able to acquire or whatever you are able to get. When you do that, then you will be living a meaningful life." [00:35:05] (42 seconds)


"We are not blessed by God to hold our world to ourselves. We are blessed to be a blessing to the lives of others. And we are blessed to fulfill the kingdom of God. So whatever that God blesses me with, it is also to bless other people. So if I have more than enough, that whatever extra that I have, if somebody is in need and I'm in the position to help, I must be able to do so. Amen." [00:36:03] (33 seconds)


"So if God is prospering you, God is not prospering you just for you. He's prospering you so that you are in the position to advance His kingdom on earth. Because He has given us the dominion on this earth. He created everything and He has put us in charge of it. And He has given us a great commission to reach people for the kingdom. And in reaching people for the kingdom, the resources He has made available which has come to us must be used. Some of them must be used for that purpose as well. Amen." [00:36:48] (35 seconds)


"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer. Another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. Amen. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer. Another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. So God's principle is this. If I allow him or I allow myself for him to use me as his vehicle of blessing others, he will make sure that I have more than enough all the time. Praise the Lord." [00:38:42] (49 seconds)


"Allow him to lead you. No one can serve two masters. No one can serve two masters. You can't serve God and money. Money is what scripture uses to compare God. So two things you can serve, God or money. And the scripture says that don't let money control you. But let God, let Jesus truly be the Lord. Let God be the master of your life. Let Jesus be the master of your life. For whoever is the master of your life, you are a slave to them. You serve them. So let God be the master. So that you serve God." [00:44:21] (40 seconds)


"God in your life supports the work of God supports your your fellow brother your fellow sister in need amen if you are able to and when you do so know these are things that Jesus you know will you know make mention of when we come and appear before him remark that the story that the farm that he said I said may you come to me and say I did this in your name and he said I don't know you when I was sick you did not come and visit me when I was naked you did not clothe me when I was without shelter you did not provide for me I was in prison you did not visit me so the little things we do for ourselves heaven bears record of that amen and that's the good name we are making amen so make a good name in the records of God let heaven have a record of the good deeds you are doing here on earth this is why Jesus came he came so that you and I can have what we did not have before and once he has given us what we did not have before we must create an enabling environment for other people to have it as well that is why commissions are to reach people with the gospel it is part of sharing our time so what do you say why am I going to waste my time to go and share the gospel when I can use that time to make some money somewhere the truth is that if we put God first and his righteousness every other thing shall be added there are some things we will not pray for but God will bring it our way amen there are times you know you get to a point you don't even have to pray for money God will let the money come to you if you put it first that's how God works there are times if you are if you are not doing it God's way you can pray and pray and pray things may not happen the way you want them to happen so may God help us so that we will not allow ourselves to be victims of what the enemy has we don't want to become like the rich man who was unprepared and to surrender whatever he has from time ago i said that whatever resource you have belongs to god amen and god allow you to have them so that you can be helpful and make this world a better place let's be on our feet let's talk to god let's pray increase riches increases but don't be a fool increase in wealth but don't don't fool yourself" [00:45:34] (175 seconds)


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Transcript
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