The Parables Part 5 – Rich Toward God

The Parables

Part 5 – Rich Toward God

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Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

is ultimately behind the man’s request.

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” 

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?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Three Characteristics of Greed

1. Greed causes one to be focused. (Luke 12:16-19)
2. Greed makes one believe they are in and there is no need for . (Luke 12:20)
3. Greed leads one to what matters, being rich toward God. (Luke 12:21)

Two practical steps to being rich toward God

1. Be focused. (Luke 12:31)

31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

1. Be . (Luke 12:33-34)

33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

To quote the well-known missionary Jim Elliot:

“He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.”

Today’s Worship Song List

Raise A Hallelujah

Made for More

Agnus Dei King of Kings

The Blessing