February 09, 2016

Perspective on Possessions

By: Anthony Mathenia Topics: Uncategorized Scripture: Luke 12:13-48

Perspective on Possessions (Luke 12:13-48)
Sermon Link

Prelude to the Parable (verses 13-15)

While Jesus is in the midst of a serious warning with regard to blaspheming the Holy Spirit, a man speaks up demanding that Christ intervene in his family squabble over the inheritance. Most likely, the man’s father had died and he probably was owed some of the inheritance, but Jesus is not as interested in whether this man was in the right or wrong as He is in the man’s attitude toward money. It’s not that Jesus was indifferent to legal justice, but He was insisting that there is something more important at stake in the matter than merely gaining or losing an earthly inheritance. Jesus did not give the man the answer that he was hoping for, but instead issued a warning against every form of greed. The warning is applicable to us all; we are all tempted by the desire to have things that God has given to others rather than to us.

– Like the man in this account, do you find your mind wondering and thinking about worldly things while you are sitting under the sound teaching about the things of eternity? What does the way we listen to sermons reflect about our heart and what is most important to us?

The Problems in the Parable (verses 16-21)

There are two definite problems in this parable: the farmer had too large of a harvest, and he had goods for years to come. In the end, these two problems result in two great mistakes: someone else will own his stuff, and he is not rich toward God. Anxiety has this farmer in its grip and he is wringing his hands with worry, concerned about what he will do with all of his goods. He is self-absorbed and concerned only with ensuring his own security. As soon as he convinces himself that his soul should be at ease because of his riches, God speaks into the situation and tells him that the life God had loaned him was now due. He would lose all of his possessions because he was not rich toward God. The Psalm accurately describes him, “The stupid and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others” (49:10). When we fail to invest our material goods and possessions in God’s interests, we rob and deprive ourselves of the only riches that are ultimately worth having.

– Why is it foolish to invest our wealth in storing up treasures on earth? While not everyone is able to invest equally in the kingdom, as you look at the way you have used your resources over the past months or years, can you say that you are investing as much as possible in the cause of the kingdom of Christ?

Putting Possessions where you Heart Is (verses 22-34)

Investing in the kingdom requires freedom from worry and anxiety, by being convinced that God will provide for us. Jesus guarantees that if we refuse to live like the world who make food and clothing their prime objective in life, and if we instead make the kingdom of God our foremost aim, our Father who knows what we need will see to it that we get food and clothing. He is not saying that it is wrong for Christians to have possessions or treasure, but that we should make it our aim to transfer as much as possible to the kingdom, where it is safe from loss, devaluation, and decay. Whether we make investments in the kingdom or in worldly goods, our heart will follow those investments like a magnet, being pulled either here or there with increasing force as we add to our treasure. As heirs of an eternal kingdom who have a Father who knows all that we need, why would we worry or be afraid?

– Why are worry/anxiety and a hope in God incompatible? How do worry and anxiety prevent us from investing our resources in the cause of Christ’s kingdom? How does a confident hope in God promote investment in His kingdom?

Possessions can Prevent Preparedness (verses 35-48)

The faithful and sensible slaves who are blessed in these final parables are using their possessions and their stuff to promote readiness. Rather than hoping in their possessions, they are using them to anticipate that day when their master returns. The blessed servant is the one who is found doing, not the one found sitting idly. Laziness leads to spiritual and physical destruction, eternally. The one who knew his master’s will and yet didn’t do it will receive greater lashes. In the same way, greater light results in greater guilt if we fail to act on the knowledge of Him that we’ve received. We should make it our aim to have a working, practical, diligent religion in response to the knowledge we have been given in His Word.

– How can you be using your possessions as a means of keeping you alert and ready for the return of Christ? What are ways that you are doing that currently? What are ways that you could improve on that from this point on?