Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray my Cuisinart to keep.
I pray my stocks are
on the rise, and that my analyst is wise.
That all the wine I sip is white, and that my hot
tub’s watertight.
That racquetball won’t get too tough, that all my sushi’s fresh enough.
I pray
my cordless phone still works, that my career won’t lose its perks.
My microwave won’t radiate,
my condo won’t depreciate.
I pray my health club doesn’t close, and that my money market
grows.
If I go broke before I wake, I pray my Volvo they won’t take.
Steve Farrar, Family Survival in the American Jungle
7. Luke 12:20; 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
2. Luke 12:13; 13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
The oldest son usually received double the inheritance of
the other kids in a family. Disputes
like this ere usually settled by rabbis.
This is an example that Jesus was seen as a wise man, a teacher, and a
rabbi.
3. Luke 12:14-15; 14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Here Jesus was making a point that he was here for much
more important things. And he was
pointing to the issue of having a correct attitude towards wealth.
4. Luke 12:16-17; 16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’
This man seemed to be very fortunate. He was a rich man
with plenty of crops. Large crops were a
sign of great wealth.
5. Luke 12:18; 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.
He made the proper preparations for his crops. His barns were overflowing, so he made more
room. So far so good.
6. Luke 12:19; 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
So now he has enough and is happy. His happiness came for his earthly goods and
wealth. 7. Luke 12:20; 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
The rich man died before he could use all his
wealth. But what is learned from the
story is that his happiness was found in his wealth and in this life. He never prepared for his happiness in the
next life.
8. Luke 12:21; 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
“But” is very important.
Jesus is not saying that we shouldn’t save money or gain wealth, but
what we shouldn’t do is put our hope and happiness in the things of this
world. The rich man had wealth, but he
didn’t have a relationship with God.
My guess is that the brother who asked Jesus about his father’s
estate also didn’t have a good relationship with God.
God wants us to use our wealth wisely, but it shouldn’t
replace Him. We must remember that it
all belongs to God and He is just lending it to us. The world puts happiness and hope on the
things. We should put our hope and
happiness on God.
References: Archaeological Study Bible form Zondervan, Life
Application Study Bible NLT from Tyndale House, Sermon Central; John Beehler, Stuff
Christian Like; Jonathan Acuff, www.biblegateway.com; NLT
