Rich Toward God: Embracing Gratitude and Generosity

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Against Greed and the Illusion of Possessions

Jesus warns that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, urging listeners to be on guard against all kinds of greed. The parable of the rich landowner reveals how easy it is to fall into the trap of believing that our worth or security is found in what we own. True life is not measured by what we accumulate, but by our relationship with God and others. The call is to examine our hearts and motives, recognizing that greed can subtly shape our decisions and priorities, often at the expense of what truly matters. [18:35]

Luke 12:13-15 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to measure your worth or security by what you own, and how can you intentionally shift your focus toward what truly matters today?

Day 2: The Folly of Self-Centered Living

The parable of the rich fool illustrates the danger of living solely for oneself, storing up treasures without regard for God or others. The rich man’s plans were all about himself—his comfort, his future, his enjoyment—yet he failed to recognize the fleeting nature of life and the call to use his abundance for greater purposes. God’s response is a sobering reminder that our lives and resources are not our own, and that self-centeredness leads to emptiness. Instead, we are invited to live with open hands, ready to share and to invest in what is eternal. [19:55]

Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: Where in your daily routine do you find yourself making plans or decisions primarily for your own comfort, and how might you reorient one of those choices this week to serve or bless someone else?

Day 3: Being Rich Toward God

To be rich toward God is to live in a way that is pleasing in God’s sight, marked by love, mercy, kindness, compassion, and generosity. It is not about the amount we give or do, but the posture of our hearts and the intentionality with which we reflect God’s character in our actions. This richness is found in acts that are worthy of God’s domain—those that build up others and honor God’s abundant grace. Each day offers opportunities to choose generosity over self-preservation, and to let our lives be a testimony to God’s goodness. [24:59]

Luke 12:21 (ESV)
“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Reflection: What is one specific act of love, mercy, or generosity you can offer today that would reflect being “rich toward God” in your context?

Day 4: The Posture of Gratitude

Gratitude is the posture by which we are called to live, shaping our response to God’s gifts and our interactions with others. Rather than seeing stewardship, service, or giving as burdens, we are invited to view them as privileges—expressions of thankfulness for God’s steadfast love and wonderful works. Gratitude transforms our perspective, enabling us to recognize even the smallest acts of kindness as opportunities to give thanks and to share God’s grace. Choosing gratitude daily opens our hearts to joy and deepens our sense of purpose. [30:43]

Psalm 107:8 (ESV)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

Reflection: Who is someone you can intentionally thank today for a small act of kindness, and how might expressing your gratitude encourage them and remind you of God’s goodness?

Day 5: Loosening Our Grip and Embracing God’s Purpose

We are called to loosen our grip on the things we have and open our hands to God, trusting that our lives are held in His providence and redeemed for a purpose. This means letting go of self-reliance and the illusion of control, and instead embracing the new life Christ offers—one marked by trust, service, and joyful obedience. As we surrender our old ways and allow God to clothe us anew in Christ, we become signs of His life and love in the world, living each day with open hearts and hands. [34:47]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV)
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Reflection: What is one possession, habit, or attitude you sense God inviting you to loosen your grip on, and how can you take a concrete step today to open your hands to Him?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on Jesus’ parable of the rich landowner, a story that challenges us to examine our relationship with abundance, possessions, and the posture of our hearts before God. As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, he is confronted with a request to arbitrate a family inheritance dispute. Rather than stepping into the role of judge, Jesus warns against all forms of greed, reminding us that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. The parable that follows is not a condemnation of prudent planning or responsible stewardship, but a caution against the self-centeredness that can so easily accompany material blessing.

The rich landowner’s error was not in his success or his planning, but in his inward focus—his assumption that his abundance was solely for his own enjoyment and security. He failed to recognize the source of his blessings and the call to use them for purposes greater than himself. Jesus’ words, “So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God,” invite us to consider what it truly means to be rich in God’s eyes. It is not about accumulation, but about living lives marked by love, mercy, kindness, compassion, and generosity—qualities that reflect the very heart of God.

We are cautioned against two common responses: self-righteousness when we see others’ excess, and guilt or defensiveness when we examine our own. Neither response leads us toward the freedom and joy God intends. Instead, we are called to a posture of gratitude—a recognition that all we have is a gift, and that our response should be one of open-handed generosity and service. Gratitude is not only the antidote to greed, but the foundation for a life that is pleasing to God.

As we move into seasons of stewardship and leadership within our community, let us remember that giving—of our resources, our time, and our gifts—is not a burden, but a privilege and an expression of our gratitude for God’s boundless grace. May we continue to live as those who know the richness of God’s love, embracing gratitude as our daily posture, and seeking always to be rich toward God.

Key Takeaways

1. True abundance is not measured by possessions, but by the richness of our relationship with God. Jesus warns that life’s meaning is not found in what we accumulate, but in how we orient our hearts toward God and others. The pursuit of wealth for its own sake leads to spiritual poverty, while seeking God’s kingdom brings lasting fulfillment. [18:35]
2. The parable of the rich landowner exposes the danger of self-centeredness in times of blessing. The man’s plans were not inherently wrong, but his inward focus blinded him to the needs of others and the call to generosity. Our blessings are entrusted to us not for hoarding, but for sharing in ways that reflect God’s character. [23:22]
3. Self-righteousness and guilt are both traps that distract us from the real invitation of Jesus. When we judge others for their excess or become defensive about our own, we miss the opportunity for honest self-examination and growth. Jesus calls us to neither smugness nor shame, but to a renewed vision of what it means to be “rich toward God.” [24:59]
4. Gratitude is the posture that transforms our relationship with both God and our possessions. When we recognize all we have as a gift, our natural response becomes generosity, service, and joy. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack or fear to what we have received and can share, opening us to deeper communion with God and neighbor. [30:43]
5. Stewardship and service are not burdens, but privileges that flow from a grateful heart. Whether giving financially, serving in leadership, or simply offering kindness, these acts are expressions of our thankfulness for God’s grace. Embracing this perspective frees us to give joyfully and to see our lives as signs of God’s love in the world. [32:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:32] - Greeting and Announcements
[04:07] - Remembering Buzz Kilgore
[18:35] - Introduction to the Parable
[19:12] - The Rich Landowner’s Dilemma
[19:55] - God’s Response and the Parable’s Punchline
[20:54] - The Psalmist’s Wisdom and Parable’s Challenge
[22:17] - The Purpose of Parables
[23:22] - The Danger of Self-Centeredness
[24:59] - Avoiding Smugness and Guilt
[26:21] - The Trap of Ownership and the Call to Share
[27:32] - Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
[28:38] - Affirmation of Congregational Generosity
[29:28] - Jesus as CEO?
[30:43] - The Power of Gratitude
[32:16] - Stewardship and Leadership as Privilege
[33:56] - Living Rich Toward God
[34:47] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[35:59] - Hymn and Affirmation of Faith
[39:43] - Communion Invitation
[40:42] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[43:31] - Communion and Invitation
[45:58] - Communion Continues
[48:33] - Prayer After Communion
[54:53] - Offering and Dedication
[58:23] - Benediction and Sending
[61:01] - Closing Amen

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 12:13-21 (ESV) — > 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.”

Observation Questions

What was the request made to Jesus at the beginning of this passage, and how did Jesus respond? ([18:35])
In the parable, what did the rich landowner decide to do with his abundant crops? ([19:12])
According to Jesus, what is the real danger in the landowner’s actions? ([19:55])
What phrase does Jesus use to summarize the lesson of the parable, and what does it mean to be “rich toward God”? ([19:55])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus refused to act as a judge in the inheritance dispute, and instead told a parable about greed? ([18:35])
The sermon points out that the landowner’s mistake wasn’t his planning, but his inward focus. How does this inward focus show up in the way he talks and thinks in the parable? ([19:12])
The pastor mentioned that self-righteousness and guilt are both unhelpful responses when we think about wealth and generosity. Why might these attitudes be traps for us? ([24:59])
The sermon says that being “rich toward God” involves qualities like love, mercy, kindness, compassion, and generosity. How do these qualities contrast with the landowner’s attitude? ([24:59])

Application Questions

The parable warns against storing up treasures for ourselves. Are there areas in your life where you tend to “store up” or hold tightly to your resources, time, or talents? What would it look like to open your hands in those areas? ([26:21])
The sermon cautions us not to fall into self-righteousness when we see others’ excess, or guilt when we look at our own. Which of these responses do you tend to struggle with more, and how can you move toward honest self-examination instead? ([24:59])
The pastor suggested that gratitude is the antidote to greed. What is one practical way you can cultivate gratitude this week, especially regarding your possessions or opportunities? ([30:43])
Think about a recent blessing or abundance in your life. How might you use it to serve others or reflect God’s generosity, rather than just for your own comfort? ([27:32])
The sermon described stewardship and service as privileges, not burdens. Is there a way you can reframe your attitude toward giving or serving in the church or community? ([32:16])
The landowner in the parable talked only to himself about his plans. Who do you talk to about your resources, goals, and blessings? How might inviting God or others into those conversations change your perspective? ([19:12])
The pastor encouraged the congregation to “embrace the rightful spirit of gratitude.” What is one specific thing you can thank God for today, and how might you express that gratitude in action this week? ([33:56])

Sermon Clips

No, what Jesus is calling for you and me, dear listeners of this parable, is not smugness nor defensiveness, but rightful thinking about God. That's the bottom line. Yet, what does that look like? What does it mean or involve to be rich toward God? [00:25:11] (28 seconds) #RightfulThinkingOfGod

Although the phrase is stated in the negative, the Greek text suggests those things are worthy in the sight of God. In other words, being rich towards God in those terms involves that which is pleasing to God, worthy of God's domain. And I think you know what those are. Love, mercy, kindness, compassion, generosity. Those are pleasing to God. It's not hard to identify. [00:25:39] (36 seconds) #RichTowardGodValues

How are you and I being rich toward God? How are those called and redeemed by Jesus? Are we living in a manner that is pleasing in God's sight and reflects the richness of his boundless grace towards us? That's the question. [00:30:18] (21 seconds) #LivingRichInGrace

Now, here's a suggestion. And it really isn't that hard for us to embrace. In fact, I could summarize the suggestion in just a single word. And that word is gratitude. Gratitude. That's right. Gratitude is what we're called to have in this life. It's the posture by which we may choose to live. It's the expression we may embrace. The message we might offer and bear to others that we meet and with whom we live. Gratitude goes a long way. [00:30:39] (44 seconds) #GratitudeAsLifePosture

Giving of our extraordinary abundance as stewards of God's grace, responding to God's tap on the shoulder when you are called and elected and ordained, that's not drudgery. That's a privilege. It all depends on how you choose to look at it, I suppose. But giving of our money to the church, giving of our time and leadership, serving on a PNC, is simply an expression of our gratitude to God. [00:33:13] (38 seconds) #GivingAsGratefulPrivilege

Admittedly, the rich landowner looked inward. Did you hear what he said? Soul, you have ample goods for many years. Relax, take five, eat, drink, be merry. Sadly, he flunked, mainly because he was looking the wrong way. But you're smarter than that. You know what it takes by grace to be rich toward God. You amply show that generosity in your giving, in your serving, and in your ministry of grace. Gratitude. [00:33:51] (50 seconds) #LookBeyondSelf

``Let's live as those who know and relish the richness of God, the pleasure of God. May we all embrace the rightful spirit of gratitude. May it be so. To God be all praise and glory forever and ever. [00:34:47] (27 seconds) #LiveInGratefulRichness

As we come to this time of offering, we are invited to look for the abundance God has given us and to consider how we may share of it. We are not called to store up treasures for ourselves, but to be rich toward God. Let us be generous as we are able as the offering is presented. [00:49:03] (30 seconds) #GenerousOfferingCall

With gratitude, go now in the knowledge that in the goodness of God you were born, in the providence of God you are kept all the day long. And in the love of God fully revealed in Jesus Christ you have each one been redeemed for a purpose. Go now to love and serve the Lord. Amen. [00:58:23] (23 seconds) #BornToServeWithLove

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