Bible Reading
Luke 12:13-34 “Someone in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.' But he said to him, 'Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?' 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.' And he told them a parable, saying, 'The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' 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. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.' And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
[47:39]Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
[54:25]Exodus 16:4-5 “Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”
[01:01:11]Observation questions
- In Luke 12:13–21, how does Jesus shift the conversation from the inheritance dispute to the condition of the man’s heart? [52:06]
- As the rich man plans what to do with his harvest, whose comfort does he consider, and whose needs are missing from his plans? [57:03]
- In Luke 12:22–34, what examples of God’s care does Jesus give, and what actions does he encourage his disciples to take instead of worrying? [49:27]
- How did fear-driven stockpiling during the pandemic affect people who arrived at the shops later? How does this example connect with Jesus’ warning about possessions? [59:10]
Interpretation questions
- Why is the rich man’s plan foolish rather than simply sensible preparation for the future? What distinguishes responsible planning from treating possessions as a guarantee of security? [52:52]
- Greed and fear can both lead someone to hold tightly to possessions. How might these different motives produce the same harm to neighbors, and how does Jesus’ invitation to trust God address both? [01:00:07]
- How does Jesus’ call to give to people in poverty help explain what being rich toward God means? What changes when someone sees a surplus as something entrusted to them rather than something only for their own use? [01:04:31]
- In Luke 12:31–34, how are seeking God’s kingdom, generosity, and the desires of the heart connected? What might seeking the kingdom look like in an ordinary household’s spending and priorities? [01:05:43]
Application questions
- Where do you notice the desire for a little more in your own life—perhaps in money, comfort, success, or recognition? What is that desire costing you in time, attention, or contentment? [55:11]
- When you feel uncertain about the future, what do you find yourself holding tightly? What might one small step toward trusting God look like without ignoring your real needs and responsibilities? [01:00:14]
- Think about a recent purchase or one you are considering. How do you distinguish a genuine need from a want? Is there an expense you might willingly reduce to make room for generosity? [01:02:17]
- God’s provision for someone else may already be in your hands. What do you have available—money, food, space, belongings, or time—that could meet a specific need? How could you find out what would actually help? [01:04:22]
- Life’s fragility can bring what matters most into focus. If you feel comfortable sharing, has a loss changed what you value? Is there someone you would like to make more time for this week? [46:04]
- Think of someone whose generosity or compassion has shaped your life, perhaps a loved one who has died. What gift of love did they leave with you, and what is one practical way you could pass that gift on? [01:06:34]
