Spoken at SGBC
9-14-97
Luke #100
12:13-34
Where is Your Treasure?
(Luke 12:13-21 NASB) And someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." {14} But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbiter over you?" {15} And He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard (protect yourself.) against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance, (an overflowing surplus), does his life consist of his possessions." {16} And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a certain rich man was very productive. {17} "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' {18} "And he said, 'This is what I will do: 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 many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' {20} "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' {21} "So is the man who lays up (earthly) treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Someone has said, "When there is an inheritance to be had 99 percent of the people become wolves." We have seen this in our community and perhaps in our own families. What the details of this man's problem was we are not told. We can imagine many scenarios. The elder brother was always in charge of his fathers estate. The law called for a double portion of the inheritance to go to him. Perhaps the elder brother wanted to keep the whole thing for himself. Or maybe he wanted to keep the best of the inheritance while giving the worthless portion to his younger brother. Or, perhaps the elder brother was bent on doing exactly what was right and the younger was not satisfied with that. Maybe the younger one was the greedy one. What ever the case, we can be certain that the sin of greed is involved. We know this for the "Reader of Mens Hearts" takes this opportunity to teach an important lesson about coveting.
Jesus begins with this warning, (Luke 12:15 NASB) And He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance (an overflowing surplus) does his life consist of his possessions."
It has occurred to me that if everyone were cured of greed our economy would be dealt a severe blow. For many businesses depend on the inherent greediness of people to survive. Their commercials are designed to encourage discontent. They tell us that we must have more and more and better and newer and bigger and faster and prettier things. We live in a society that covets this worlds goods and, indeed, promotes this sin. The sinner's natural tendency to greed is fed and fed upon in a thousand different ways every day. If a disease of contentment were to afflict humanity the economy would be in real trouble. Further, if greed was to disappear the divorce rate would plummet over night. For most divorces are based on discontent and covetousness. "I don't like the wife or husband I have. I think I would like that person better. She or he will satisfy and fulfill me where you cannot. Therefore, you must give me a divorce." The sad thing is, when the covetous person gets what they want they will still be dissatisfied. Only the grace of God can change the greedy heart.
The word translated greed or covetousness speaks of a thirst for having more and more and still more. Greed is the uncontrolled yearning to have, to possess. William Hendriksen compares the greedy person to a ship wrecked sailor who, after he takes his first drink of salt water, is driven uncontrollably to drink more and more until it kills him. Greed and discontent are powerful expressions of the sin nature inherited from our father Adam.
Therefore Jesus counsels all men and especially Christians, "(Luke 12:15 NASB) "Beware, (Be on the alert, take notice, pay attention.) and be on your guard, (observe, watch, protect yourself), against EVERY FORM OF GREED; for not even when one has an abundance, (an overflowing surplus of earthly possessions), does his life consist of his possessions."
In light of Jesus' counsel we must all ask the question, "Am I a greedy person? Do I have an inordinate craving for earthly wealth, prestige, power, position or property? Am I a greedy or covetous person?" We could also ask the question this way, "Am I content with what God has given and designed for me?" The person who is not content is one who covets something God has not seen fit to provide.
The objects of greed may be things, persons or circumstances but it always has to do with "ME." The greedy or covetousness person is quite self centered. This self centeredness is made clear in the parable Christ relates to us.
(Luke 12:16-21 NASB) And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a certain rich man was very productive. {17} "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' {18} "And he said, 'This is what I will do: 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 many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
What was wrong with this man? Was it his success? Of course not. Nowhere does the Bible condemn success or riches. God never rebuked Abraham, Solomon, Job, or Joseph of Arimathea for being rich. No, there is no crime in being a successful farmer. His crime was living like a practical atheist! He lived and spoke as if God did not exist! He was totally self concerned and ignorant of the truth about himself and God.
That he does not know the truth about himself is seen in that he ignores his own mortality. He looks forward to "many years" as if they were guaranteed. He speaks of them as if it were not possible for him to die. That he is totally self concerned is seen in that he takes no thought of others, even in the midst of an overflowing surplus of this world's goods. Twelve times in our text he refers to himself and never once to God or his neighbor. All he could think about was his own needs and wants. "I will build more barns so I can store my abundance for my future ease and pleasure."
The scriptures do teach that we ought to prepare for the days when we will no longer be productive. Old age or illness may remove us from gainful employment. Therefore, it is good to lay a portion of God's blessing aside for the future. "Go to the ant," God says. Observe and mimic his work habits and the way he prepares for the day when he will no longer be able to work. The ant stores food for the winter he can no longer gather. So we ought to prepare for the days when we will no longer be able to provide for ourselves. There is nothing wrong with saving money for your own future needs. But there is something very wrong when this consumes us so that we ignore both God and our fellow man. Consider the following texts.
Ephesians 4:28 reveals that as we earn money by the sweat of our brow we do so to meet our own needs AND the needs of others. "Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, (The person who was a thief before he was saved must now earn his own way by some form of acceptable employment. Why must he do this?) IN ORDER THAT he may have something to share with him who has need." In other words, the person who used to take from others must now become a giver. He must work with his own hands for his own needs AND the needs of others. This man, the Christian, sets aside a portion of his blessings for those around him who cannot help themselves. A poor brother for instance. Hear the words of 1 John 3:17-18 NASB. But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? {18} Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, BUT IN DEED AND TRUTH. The needs of the truly poor are to be met by the Christian. He may do so personally or through his faithful giving to the Church which maintains a ministry to the poor. That the Christian is to be a faithful supporter of the Church's benevolent work is seen in the following text.
(1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NASB) "Now concerning the collection for the saints, (needy Christians) as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. {2} On the first day of EVERY week let EACH ONE OF YOU put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come." Paul tells us that it ought to be the custom of the local church to have on hand a sum of money designated for helping those in need. So, the Christian works for himself, the poor around him and to support the Church and its ministries. This is the will of God for all Christians.
The farmer in the parable has no thought of God, the Church or his neighbor, only of himself. He had an abundant supply sufficient for many, but he would keep it all for himself.
This farmer's ultimate crime was unbelief. His lack of faith is revealed by his by his lack of love for God and his neighbor. It is revealed by his failure to glorify God. By his refusal to be thankful for God's generous provision. Had he been a God lover he would have offered thanks to God without delay. Had he been a God lover, by faith in Jesus, he would have also loved his neighbor. But not this guy, and not those like him. The self centered, greedy, covetous man will tell you that all his wealth has been gained by his own hands and wisdom. He will give credit to no one, not even the God who made his crops grow and gives him breath to breathe. This man can see his neighbor in need, for no fault of his own, and still be unmoved. He does not love his fellow man, he loves himself and his own comfort. What does God say of such humans? Hear the words of verse twenty.
{20} "But God said to him, 'You fool! (stupid man) This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'
You work for it. You live for it. You scratch and fight for your piece of earth, a house, a bank account and a bunch of other things and what happens when you die? You leave it all behind! You can't take it with you! Yet many people live and act as though they have figured out how they can take it with them. The flesh and the stuff it loves is the FOCUS of their lives. They live FOR temporal things and IGNORE eternity. They live FOR the flesh and IGNORE the spirit. They live FOR self and NOT for God. Then they die and leave this life with less than nothing! They have hell and eternal torment for a reward. {21} "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Hear the word of the Lord.
(James 5:1-3 NASB) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. {2} Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. {3} Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days (days of judgement) that you have stored up your treasure! So it will be with all who have their hearts set on earthly things and not on God through faith in Christ.
What does it mean to be rich toward God? John Gill says it is to be rich, "in things pertaining to God, in spiritual things, in faith, and in good works. It is to be concerned to lay up a treasure in heaven, to have an interest in durable riches and righteousness. The one who is rich toward God, acknowledges that he receives all his riches, spiritual and material, from God. He gives up all into the hands of God, depends upon his providence for the increase, security, and continuance of it; and uses it to God's honor and glory, and for the good of His interest." (End Quote. This quote has been modified for ease of understanding.)
The person who is rich toward God is one who values heavenly things more than anything else in life. Hear the words of our Lord.
(Matthew 13:44-46 NASB) "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. {45} "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, {46} and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Just as the unbelieving farmer in our parable was consumed with earthly treasure so also those rich toward God are captured by the desire for heavenly treasure. They must have, in the first place, Christ as Lord and Savior. If it means they must give up all else they will make the sacrifice. The will have Christ. Then, when they have Christ, by faith, they must have a continuing increase of wisdom and sanctification. So they continue to seek heavenly treasure. For heaven is where their heart is. Hear the word of the Lord.
(Matthew 6:19-21 NASB) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. {20} "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; {21} for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Where is your treasure? The answer to this eternal question can be found in the answer to another question. What is the most important thing in your life? If it is your husband you are not rich toward God. If it is your wife you are not rich toward God. If it is your children you are not rich toward God. If it is your physical life your are not rich toward God! If your treasure is God, His Christ and the Truth then these will have first place in your life. Your waking hours will be spent living for God and seeking His glory. The material and physical things that used to hold your attention will take a back seat. For God has promised to give you these things as you need them. Look with me to our final text for today.
(Luke 12:22-34 NASB) And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. {23} "For life is more than food, and the body than clothing. {24} "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! (He speaks to His children by faith in Jesus.) {25} "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? {26} "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why are you anxious about other matters? (which you are equally unable to do anything about) {27} "Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. {28} "But if God so arrays the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, (The Christian) O men of little faith! {29} "And do not seek, (Do not have as your first and last concern in life. . .) what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying (about these things). {30} "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; (The entire mass of unsaved humanity is in hot pursuit of temporal things!), but your Father knows that you need these things. {31} "But (So, . .) seek for His kingdom, and these things (The things necessary for ones physical existence on earth.) shall be added to you. {32} "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. (The Kingdom of God, Christ, Heaven, eternal life! This is the Christians great treasure!) {33} "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, (That is, set your mind and heart on . . . ) AN UNFAILING TREASURE IN HEAVEN, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. {34} "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
What is your treasure? What has your heart? If God came to claim your soul tonight would you be like the faithless farmer who lost all he lived for and loved? Or would you die in peace knowing that you were about to take possession of all that you have lived and longed for? The Pearl of Great Price, Jesus, is the reward of all who are rich toward God. There is no greater treasure than this! Don't play the fool! God may require you soul this very day.