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Weekly Message | June 20th, 2010
Passage: Luke 12:13-34
Key Verse(s): 20,21
This passage contains many familiar teachings and words of Christ. This makes it very hard to deliver a fresh and inspiring message. So you may notice on the summary sheet that it is not organized equally at all. I will not talk much about greed and worry. Greed is one extreme that excessively pursues material wealth and abundance beyond what is needed. Another extreme is excessive worry and anxiety that paralyzes and consumes our energy still leaving our needs unmet. We know all too well about these issues. Instead, I will focus on the alternative, the path that cuts through them and enables us to properly manage our many resources as disciples of Jesus. Let’s think about what it means to be rich toward God.
First, Trust God and learn from the ravens and lilies. (13-30)
Jesus was interrupted by a man who wanted an inheritance dispute settled. He was more concerned about money than his brother or the loss of his father. Jesus recognized that the man’s problem was widespread among the crowd consisting mostly of the poor and needy. Solving their money problem was their first and foremost issue of life.
Jesus seized this as an important teaching moment for the crowd and his disciples. He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Greed, whether for money, power, knowledge, or something else, leads people to strive blindly for something while ignoring their spiritual life. But God’s measure of life is not based on how much stuff we have. We cannot buy life with money. We cannot buy a godly spouse or true friends with money. We cannot buy repentance, righteousness, or peace with money.
To illustrate the limitations of money’s power, Jesus tells a story of a certain rich man who produced an amazing crop that exceeded his storage capacity. The man’s thinking was consumed by one thing, how to store his crops for himself. He said, “This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” He uses the word I, my, and myself 8 times. His concern is threefold, me, myself, and I. There is no hint of concern for others or for God. God was not in the equation of his life at all. He thought he was the owner and controller of his life and resources. He was preparing to ease back and withdraw from life, but the man was in for a real surprise. Look at verse 20: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” He prepared all things for himself and did not prepare for eternal life. His life, wealth and resources wound up lost, forgotten, and useless to God.
Jesus concluded, “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” (21) Jesus applied the parable universally. Anyone who lives without God and only stores up treasures on earth will share the fate of the rich fool. God demands an accounting for our life and how we have been blessed. God will closely examine and judge how we have used what God has given us. So Jesus urges us to be rich toward God. For this we actively weave God into the fabric of our life and daily decision-making in regard to managing our money and resources.
Then Jesus turned his attention to his disciples who had already left everything behind to follow him. They may not have struggled as much with greed, but they did have a problem with worry. Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Jesus wanted them to be constantly free of anxiety and stress, but their minds and hearts were plagued with worry. They worried about what they would eat especially with the increasing prospect of Jesus leaving them. They also worried about their ragtag appearance compared to the ornate priestly garments of the religious leaders. This kind of excessive worrying, as it grows, paralyzes people and renders them useless. Such worry about the basic concerns of life: food, health, and clothing, should never be the mainstay of our thought world.
Then Jesus gave them a shocking example to follow. Look at verse 24: “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” Though perhaps the lowest of birds, ravens live free and unfettered by the need for food. They don’t covet the great hunting skill of eagles. They don’t fly over the oceans diving for fish like hungry seagulls. They are not greedy taking more than they need but are sure to get enough to survive. They do their part in God’s master plan. They are scavenger birds that make other birds learn to be more watchful and discerning. They accept their limitations, recognize their boundaries, and fulfill their God-given purpose. God even used them to feed the hungry prophet Elijah.
Imagine the conversation between the ravens and God after being classified as unclean. They asked God why they had to be publicly humiliated and forever recorded as dirty birds in the Bible. God asked if they would rather be like chickens or ducks, so when people saw them they were hunted and sought after for food. God said to be thankful that they were dirty birds. After that, the raven never complained again. They enjoyed the life they had been given and lived as a blessing to God. This is something we must remember. God has a good reason why he made us the way we are. We should accept this and find the freedom to enjoy life and live as blessings.
Then Jesus asked a couple of reflective questions, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” All their fussing, worry, anxiety, and stress accomplished nothing. We also gain nothing from worrying. Excessive worry is a sin because it is rooted in taking God's responsibility upon ourselves. Instead of recognizing God as our Creator and Provider, instead of putting our trust in God, we put ourselves in his place.
Jesus continues with another important example from nature: “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” Lilies don’t fuss about the popularity of roses. They are quite happy to be dressed without those sharp thorns. They are not envious of the huge oaks or the fruitful apple trees. They focus on growing and displaying God’s beauty. Most bloom in wild country sides or atop distance mountain ranges. They have a secret life of glory and splendor unknown to many. Lilies are so content to be lilies demonstrating God’s creative and lavish genius.
Jesus did not want the disciples to be overly preoccupied with the greed of getting or the worry of receiving. These chip away at our faith and leave us paralyzed and unresponsive to God’s call. Jesus did not want them to set their hearts on what they would eat or drink or wear. Such pursuits reflected the world that lived apart from God. Instead we trust the love, power, and provision of the Creator God. God is a great artist who diligently cares for his creation and makes them beautiful inside and out. We will do much better to live like the ravens and lilies. We may not be the most beautiful, smart, or talented of people, but we accept and value who we are and what we are becoming under God’s care. We recognize our limitations, depend on God’s grace, and focus on fulfilling our God-given purposes in life.
Second, “Seek his kingdom.” (31-32)
In these last 2 sections, Jesus presents some powerful truths and promises that have touched the hearts of many disciples throughout the ages. We can think about them in wonderfully abstract and ambiguous ways that may be deep and meaningful but lack implementation appeal. So I will try to be more straightforward and realistic about how they can be applied.
Look at verses 31-32: “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Jesus created another image for the disciples to hold onto, God as their great shepherd caring for them. If possible, this is the picture Jesus wanted to burn into their memory for a lifetime. Jesus gave the assuring truth that their Father was pleased to give them the kingdom. The most valuable and precious thing to receive from God is being apart of his eternal kingdom. This gift was freely given to the disciples because of their love and commitment to Jesus. The Father was willing and joyful to offer his kingdom to them. This gives us great assurance as we seek to serve and commit our lives to Jesus.
So the key directive─to not be afraid as a humble sheep in God’s little flock and be on the receiving end of God’s kingdom─is to follow the direction to seek his kingdom. We set our hearts on the kingdom of God. To God one issue is of major concern, his kingdom. Let’s think about how we can implement the active direction of seeking God’s kingdom. Here I received fresh inspiration from Dr. Paul just a few hours ago. This part is the message from the margins. Sometimes we want to all of a sudden seek God’s kingdom in high and lofty ways. But this is not how it works. Let’s think about how to realistically seek God’s kingdom step by step.
Seeking God’s kingdom is about seeking manna from God. It is about the manna principle. When Israel left Egypt God fed them for 40 years in the desert. God taught them to depend on him for the daily food supply. God poured down manna at a set time each day. Did God pick it up? Did he go to their kitchen and cook manna food? Did he invite them for 3 meals a day, spoon feed them, and do the dishes? No. All God did was pour down manna and set the time to pick it up. It was up to the people do to the rest.
One common example of working through our manna problem is with our jobs. How does God help us? Does he filled out the application, put together an impressive resume for us, and send recommendation letters? No. According to our sincere prayer, God opens the door for the right job at the right time. If needed God even moves the decision-makers hearts to be favorable toward us. But it is our responsibility to do the rest; to ask, seek, and knock in order to do our part. In other words, seeking God’s kingdom is to trust that God will open the right opportunities for us to gather our daily bread out of his great abundance. God prepares the right environment, but it is our responsibility to do our part. It is through such needs that God first becomes real to us. We see the God is indeed living and concerned about us. Then for the most part, we no longer struggle with this manna problem and pass beyond it to greater levels of faith and spiritual maturity.
Another aspect of seeking God’s kingdom is to seek God’s mercy for our real needs in this life, beyond the manna problem. It is right to pray for our needs. If we don’t, who will? We think we are somebody, but without God’s mercy we can’t do much at all. Dr. Paul said, “I got a prostrate biopsy, got a small infection, and was totally incapacitated. I felt like dying, like I was dirt, like nothing.” What sinners need to do is seek God’s mercy whether it’s a health problem, family issue, emotional need, or one of the many things we need in this life, to seek God’s help.
Seeking God’s kingdom is to engage in the ministry of God’s word and prayer for ourselves and for others. Learn the important routines of meditating God’s word and a regular prayer life. This is what really gives us sustainability and staying power in seeking God. We pray 2 by 2 and in groups, and this is important. But at least once a week, talk to God in private. Pray to God in secret. Seek the help and guidance that his word and Spirit promises to provide.
In summary, Jesus taught the often hungry, worried, and poorly clothed disciples to seek God. We need to experience God from the place of our real needs. Those who wonder whether God is real often fail to properly integrate seeking God with their real needs. This is an important building block for our spiritual life. As we experience and recognize who God is, that he is surely working through our prayer sand meeting our needs, we give thanks to him. We come to find that life is much more than figuring out how to have our legitimate needs met. Beyond such needs, we experience the kingdom of God. We are motivated to be all the more rich toward God. We may not reach such profound levels so quickly. But in the process of working through our needs and seeking God and even learning to serve the needs of others, we attain new levels of joy and Christian maturity along the way.
Third, store treasure in heaven. (33-34)
Look at verses 33-34: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus wants his disciple to be generous and give to the poor, but already they had left everything to follow Jesus. They needed to loosen their grasp on their material possessions as if it were a private stash to be hoarded. Instead they/we need a bank in heaven far from corrupt mortgage lenders and in need of government bailouts. There they could store treasure in heaven. The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Storing treasure in heaven is another level up from seeking God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom has to do with both the here and now and the eternal. It is related to what is done on earth and later in heaven. Storing treasure in heaven is something we do beyond our own needs, beyond immediate gain in the present. This is not for everybody. It requires knowing the value of storing, saving, and investing—not only thinking about spending. It’s also about treasure and knowing what is precious to God. We don’t store up junk. Many garages and basement are filled with junk. Then we go to garage sales and buy more. We must learn what is worth saving. Lastly we believe in heaven. Heaven is where we will spend eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a place where no worry or greed can infiltrate, where all the wonders, perfection, beauty, and excellence of God shines its brightest.
So let’s think about 3 ways to store treasure in heaven: (1) Selling our possessions and giving to the poor is about investing in the lives of people. Time is the most precious thing we have. We can make more money but when time is gone, it’s gone. You can never get it back. How we spend our time reflects our value system. We engage in intense labor of love for others. Many of them we will see again in heaven.
(2) Providing purses that won’t wear out is about offering our money to God. Some godly parents try to teach this important investment discipline to their children. Every Sunday, Joan and I get an envelop, put a dollar in it, and write “To: Jesus, From: Joan.” The rich fool never learned to offer. Many talk about loving God, receiving forgiveness and salvation but don’t practice regular offerings. One whole book of the Bible, Leviticus, as well as many other places, teach about offering faith. God wants us to remember him in the form of offering. After working so hard and getting a job, we get our first paycheck. Truly rich Christians have the faith and gratitude to offer the whole thing to God. This is called a “firstfruits” offering. The most basic form is tithing. Others include thanksgiving and special offerings. It is important to know that we are not just giving our money to the church, but we are storing treasure in heaven.
(3) Storing treasure in heaven is to pray and invest for world mission. We pray for what God wants, even things beyond our world and reach. We put our treasure and heart along with God’s. We pray for God’s work in North Korea, China, and the Muslim world. We pray for big things of which we may only be a small but integral part like America becoming a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We seize opportunities to go on mission trips and support God’s work around the world.
These are only 3 limited examples. There are more details and ways I don’t have time to discuss and don’t have the full knowledge of. Perhaps, sometime later we can discuss them. I had a few days to prepare this message. Dr. Paul came down with a sudden illness and asked me to prepare Sunday message on short notice. I am so thankful for another opportunity to serve Toledo UBF, receive your prayer support, and grow as a better messenger of God’s word.
From this passage, I learned a few important lessons about how to be rich toward God. The first is about living like the ravens and the lilies. I am uniquely and wonderful made according to God’s specific plan and purpose. To be rich toward God is to value my contribution, recognize my limitations, and reach my fullest potential as a man made in the image of God. Secondly, I learned the manna principle in message preparation. As I pray God pours down inspiration and fresh words of God. They come through personal mediation, group Bible study, teaching the Bible, messenger meetings, and many of God’s servant like M. Peter and Dr. Paul. As a messenger, it is my job to gather, intake, digest, and present them as God’s message. Thirdly, I learned the best way to store treasure in heaven is to invest my time in prayer and people. I want to have more time to pray. I want to have more time to serve people, including my 4 Bible students, Narrowgate student leaders, and all of you. God may bless each of you to meditate the important truths from this passage for yourself.
June 20, 2010; Greg Lewis; Toledo, UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
