True Riches: Prioritizing God Over Material Wealth

 

Summary

In our exploration of Luke 12, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus regarding covetousness and the true essence of life. The narrative begins with a man from the crowd seeking Jesus' intervention in a familial dispute over inheritance. Jesus, however, redirects the focus from material concerns to spiritual truths, emphasizing that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Through the parable of the rich fool, Jesus illustrates the folly of hoarding wealth without being rich toward God. The rich man, blessed with a bountiful harvest, decides to build larger barns to store his goods, believing he can then relax and enjoy life. Yet, God calls him a fool, for his life is demanded of him that very night, leaving his amassed wealth to others.

This parable serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of greed and the transient nature of earthly riches. Jesus warns against covetousness, highlighting that it reveals the darkest parts of our fallen humanity. Covetousness is not merely a desire for more but a fundamental dissatisfaction with God's provision, leading to a life devoid of gratitude and contentment. It is the antithesis of honoring God and being grateful for His blessings. The rich man's greed and selfishness blind him to the needs of others and the reality of his own mortality. His life, defined by possessions, is ultimately empty and foolish.

Jesus' teaching challenges us to examine our priorities and the state of our hearts. Are we storing up treasures on earth, or are we rich toward God? True wealth is found not in material abundance but in a life aligned with God's will, marked by generosity, gratitude, and a deep relationship with Him. As we reflect on this passage, may we heed Jesus' warning and seek to live lives that are rich in faith and love, rather than in worldly possessions.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Danger of Covetousness: Covetousness is a deep-seated issue that reveals our dissatisfaction with God's provision. It leads to a life devoid of gratitude and contentment, as we constantly seek more than what we have been given. This desire for more can blind us to the true riches found in a relationship with God. [06:15]

2. The Folly of Hoarding Wealth: The parable of the rich fool illustrates the futility of amassing wealth without being rich toward God. Earthly riches are transient and cannot secure our future or our souls. True security is found in a life aligned with God's will and purposes. [13:48]

3. The Call to Generosity: A Christian life is marked by generosity, reflecting the abundant grace we have received from God. Hoarding wealth for oneself is contrary to the nature of a follower of Christ, who is called to share and bless others with their resources. [15:34]

4. The Reality of Mortality: The rich man's sudden death serves as a reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of being prepared for eternity. Our time on earth is limited, and we must prioritize what truly matters—our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. [21:43]

5. True Riches in God: Jesus challenges us to redefine what it means to be truly rich. It is not about the abundance of possessions but about being rich toward God, living a life of faith, gratitude, and obedience. This is where true fulfillment and joy are found. [22:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Introduction to Luke 12
- [01:04] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
- [02:47] - Jesus' Teaching on Covetousness
- [03:46] - The Young Man's Request
- [05:26] - Jesus' Response to the Crowd
- [06:15] - The Warning Against Covetousness
- [07:02] - The Law Against Coveting
- [08:46] - The Dark Side of Covetousness
- [09:31] - The Two Fundamental Sins
- [10:32] - The Antithesis of Contentment
- [11:23] - The Misplaced Goal of Wealth
- [12:10] - The Rich Man's Soliloquy
- [13:48] - The Three Traits of the Rich Fool
- [15:34] - The Call to Generosity
- [17:28] - The Folly of Hedonism
- [19:46] - The Creed of the Fool
- [21:43] - The Reality of Mortality
- [22:38] - True Riches in God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Luke 12

Bible Reading:
- Luke 12:13-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the request made by the man from the crowd to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to it? [00:26]

2. In the parable of the rich fool, what decision does the rich man make after his land yields a plentiful harvest? [01:04]

3. How does Jesus describe the life of someone who lays up treasure for themselves but is not rich toward God? [21:43]

4. What does Jesus warn the crowd to beware of, and why is this significant? [06:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Jesus refuse to act as a judge or arbitrator in the inheritance dispute, and what does this reveal about His priorities? [05:26]

2. How does the parable of the rich fool illustrate the dangers of covetousness and the transient nature of earthly wealth? [13:48]

3. What does it mean to be "rich toward God," and how does this contrast with the rich man's approach to life? [22:38]

4. How does the concept of mortality play a role in Jesus' teaching, and what lesson does it impart about our priorities? [21:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be prioritizing material wealth over spiritual richness? How can you shift your focus to be more "rich toward God"? [22:38]

2. Consider a time when you felt dissatisfied with what you had. How did that affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to cultivate gratitude and contentment? [09:31]

3. In what ways can you practice generosity in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to share your resources with someone in need. [15:34]

4. How does the reality of mortality influence your current priorities and decisions? What changes might you make to ensure you are prepared for eternity? [21:43]

5. Think about a recent decision you made regarding your finances or possessions. Was it influenced by a desire for more, or by a desire to honor God? How can you align future decisions with God's will? [10:32]

6. Identify one area in your life where you can reduce the influence of covetousness. What practical steps can you take to focus on the true riches found in a relationship with God? [06:15]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to live a life marked by faith, gratitude, and generosity? What role can you play in fostering a culture of contentment and spiritual richness? [15:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Covetousness Reveals Our Heart's True Desires
Covetousness is a deep-seated issue that reveals our dissatisfaction with God's provision. It leads to a life devoid of gratitude and contentment, as we constantly seek more than what we have been given. This desire for more can blind us to the true riches found in a relationship with God. Jesus warns against covetousness, highlighting that it reveals the darkest parts of our fallen humanity. Covetousness is not merely a desire for more but a fundamental dissatisfaction with God's provision, leading to a life devoid of gratitude and contentment. It is the antithesis of honoring God and being grateful for His blessings. [06:15]

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself constantly wanting more? How can you practice gratitude and contentment in that area today?


Day 2: The Futility of Earthly Wealth
The parable of the rich fool illustrates the futility of amassing wealth without being rich toward God. Earthly riches are transient and cannot secure our future or our souls. True security is found in a life aligned with God's will and purposes. The rich man, blessed with a bountiful harvest, decides to build larger barns to store his goods, believing he can then relax and enjoy life. Yet, God calls him a fool, for his life is demanded of him that very night, leaving his amassed wealth to others. This parable serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of greed and the transient nature of earthly riches. [13:48]

"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current financial goals. Are they aligned with God's will and purposes? How can you ensure that your pursuit of wealth does not overshadow your spiritual growth?


Day 3: Generosity Reflects God's Grace
A Christian life is marked by generosity, reflecting the abundant grace we have received from God. Hoarding wealth for oneself is contrary to the nature of a follower of Christ, who is called to share and bless others with their resources. The rich man's greed and selfishness blind him to the needs of others and the reality of his own mortality. His life, defined by possessions, is ultimately empty and foolish. Jesus' teaching challenges us to examine our priorities and the state of our hearts. [15:34]

"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 resources this week. How can you bless someone in need today?


Day 4: Life's Brevity and Eternal Priorities
The rich man's sudden death serves as a reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of being prepared for eternity. Our time on earth is limited, and we must prioritize what truly matters—our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. Jesus' teaching challenges us to examine our priorities and the state of our hearts. Are we storing up treasures on earth, or are we rich toward God? [21:43]

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your daily schedule. Are you prioritizing your relationship with God and eternal matters? What changes can you make to ensure your life reflects eternal priorities?


Day 5: True Riches in God
Jesus challenges us to redefine what it means to be truly rich. It is not about the abundance of possessions but about being rich toward God, living a life of faith, gratitude, and obedience. This is where true fulfillment and joy are found. True wealth is found not in material abundance but in a life aligned with God's will, marked by generosity, gratitude, and a deep relationship with Him. As we reflect on this passage, may we heed Jesus' warning and seek to live lives that are rich in faith and love, rather than in worldly possessions. [22:38]

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3, ESV)

Reflection: What does being "rich toward God" mean to you personally? How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God that reflects true spiritual wealth?

Quotes

"Then one from 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 an arbitrator over you.” He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” [00:00:41]

"God said to him, “Fool, this night your soul will be required of you then whose will those things be which you have provided? And so is he who lays up treasure for himself and it not rich toward God.” This is not my teaching beloved, this is the teaching of our Lord and savior, the very Son of God who challenges us and our very soul in terms of our stewardship and of our priorities. [00:01:17]

"Jesus of course, at this point, in his ministry was much more concerned about proclaiming the kingdom of God rather than settling disputes among siblings over the degree of their inheritance. So Jesus said to the people as well as to the man, “Take heed and beware.” Now, we’ve heard him say that recently, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Beware of hypocrisy. Now his concern is different from that over hypocrisy and Pharisees, what he’s saying now is something else, “Beware of covetousness.” [00:05:50]

"Not only do we not have laws against coveting, we have a political system that thrives on it and promotes it by promoting entitlement policies and class warfare. When God established a nation, in his top 10, he included a law against coveting. Have you ever wonder why God and his infinite wisdom would conclude a law against coveting in the top 10 commandments that he gives. [00:07:39]

"Maybe God knows something about what it is that leads to stealing. Maybe God knows something about what it is that leads to jealously. Maybe God knows something of what it is that leads to murder and to war. When people are at each other’s throat because one person has more than the other and one person wants for himself what God and his beneficent says, “Graciously bestowed upon someone else.” [00:08:18]

"Covetousness is the antithesis of contentment with the goodness of God. When you have something that I don’t and I want it I’m saying, “God, I’m not grateful for what you’ve given to me. I want more and more and more.” Covetousness is the first cousin. No, the father of greed, of wanting more than you actually have. [00:10:24]

"Jesus says, “Take heed, beware of this. Be careful. Watch out of this. For one’s life,” he says, “does not consist in the abundance of things that he possesses.” Here’s a word from Jesus. This is not our RC Sproul talking, this is Jesus. One’s life does not consist in the things that he possesses. [00:10:51]

"Three things that I want to say about this rich man. The first thing was he was greedy. No matter how great the crop was, no matter how much he had in storage he wanted more. Bunker Hunt who when he cornered the silver market years ago was called to testify before congress and somebody said to him, “Mr. Hunt. What is your net worth?” Bunker smiled and he said, “I don’t know. If you know your net worth it can’t be very much.” [00:14:08]

"A Christian is a generous person. How can a Christian not be a generous person? For every Christian lies in most and has his or her being only by the generosity of all might God. What do you have that you haven’t received from God? But the selfish person says, “Give me, give me, give me, give me, give me and let me hold it tight less I lose a penny of it.” [00:16:13]

"Jesus warns people about that. That attitude beloved can send you to hell forever. But worse than being greedy and worse than being selfish, this man was foolish, incredibly foolish. Listen to what he says, “I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good laid up now for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” [00:17:00]

"Jesus then applies the parable in this manner so is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. Dear friends, the person who lays up treasures for themselves no matter how great that treasure is but who is not rich toward God is a pauper, he’s poverty stripped. [00:22:07]

"Jesus said elsewhere, “What if you gain the whole world? Lose your own soul? What will a man give and exchange for his soul? How much is your soul worth? What’s the price tag?” He who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God is like the rich fool, greedy, selfish and foolish. [00:22:55]

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Transcript
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