A Little or a Lot (Luke 12:13-21)
Gary McManus, 01/12/2020Part of the God's New Year series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
January 12, 2020 First Sunday After Epiphany
Luke 12:13-21 Money!
Nervous? Worried? Some folks are sensitive, even “crazy” when the topic is brought up.
But this is a PERFECT time to talk about money.
Never owe anyone money?
How about “manage debt wisely”?
Talking about money biblically. . .covers
many topics.
Jesus also talked about money.
Do remember or quote the Bible
accurately: 1 Timothy 6:10.
The Bible even speaks of these folks. . .
those who crave. . .
Does the topic of money threaten your peace
of mind? Then it is past time to speak
biblically about money.
Money is a good tool but a terrible goal.
As it has been said: money is a good servant
but a terrible Master.
Keep it all or use wisely?
Notice, today the man asks Jesus:
“Teacher, tell my brother to divide
the inheritance with me.”
Having a sudden abundance brings a crisis.
And NOT having an abundance brings a crisis.
The word crisis means “decision” –
decisions have to be made.
(Think of lottery winners. . .)
So Jesus tells a story—probably another perfect story. Jesus starts the story: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.”
--the man is already rich
--the abundance just happened
The farmer INHERITED an abundant harvest.
And the inheritance brings a crisis which Jesus outlined:
‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
Pastor would suggest that Jesus intended to teach
both sons—the have and the have not!
[Our Lord loves a “twofer” if He can get it!]
If the farmer was greedy, Jesus’ farmer wouldn’t
ask his question. . .”What shall I do?”
So, Jesus’ warning is to both sons
—the have and the have not.
Beware of wanting so much—and beware if you have a lot. . .
The farmer in Jesus’ story did not choose wisely—not according to the Kingdom of God standards.
A proper response could be based on Matthew 19:21-22. . .
What is a better question to ask in abundance:
What does God want me to do?
We are stewards of everything in our possession
for the moment.
A little or a lot—what does the Lord want me to do.
See Luke 12:15, Matthew 6:19-20.
Amen.
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