Lesson 36
What Do You Treasure?
Luke 12:13-34
The title to this lesson is a vital question. One of the people in a Bible Study gave a good definition for STUFF. He said it was Stuff That’s Unimportant For the Future. I think that pretty much sums it up. I have to admit that I am just as guilty as the next person in liking to have things. Like most men I enjoy walking through the man’s toy store better known as the place where all kinds of neat gadgets are on display. It is so easy to get into the position where I know longer have things because they meet a practical need and be possessed by something just because I just have to have it because of the fact that it is the latest and greatest. The fact is that I can never keep up with all that is offered in the market place.
I read or hear of people who will camp out for days just so they can be the first one in line to get the brand new phone or whatever gismo that is being put on sale. There is a person I know who felt a need to purchase something almost every day. Their rational was that I bought it because I deserve it. One may accumulate a drawer full of gadgets, a tool shed full of tools or a closet full of clothes. The question at the end of the day that each of us must ask ourselves is do the things in our possession really satisfy a deep longing that only God can fill or do they possess us and become an idol. I am trying to learn to differentiate between these two opposite views. Hopefully, I will gain a greater understanding that things are just tools to make a job a little easier.
It is a subtle kind of greed that may take place in the church. Greed is another way of thinking about looking out for one’s own interest. The way this plays out in the church is the focus that we have on the one or two ministries in which we are involved without regard of how it impacts the church as a whole. It becomes my Bible study class, the choir, small group ministry etc. Whenever we seek funding for every dream we may have which may cripple some other ministry it may be the type of attitude that Jesus condemned. Bill Hybels in his book, “Courageous Leadership” discovered this was occurring at Willow Creek. Each staff member acted as if their ministry was not part of the overall vision and strategy of the church. We need to be careful that we do not minister in isolation.
Luke 12:13-15
It seems that Jesus at that point in His earthly ministry was dealing with more and more major issues that the people of His day were facing. Many of them are still prevalent today. He had just dealt with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and now was faced with another situation which could have played right into the hands of the religious leaders. A man approached Jesus demanding that Jesus go against the law of inheritance established in the Mosaic Law. He wanted Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Whatever decision Jesus would have made would have offended someone and set Himself up for further accusations by the Pharisees. As He had done so many times He refused to get into the middle of a controversy by answering the person in such a way that He dealt with the core issue. The man was suffering from at least the sins of greed and covetousness. Jesus gave a stern warning against that kind of thinking. He pointed out that a person’s identity is not wrapped up in what he possessed. In a way Jesus was telling him that his demand reflected his character. He certainly was not satisfied with what God had given him but wanted more even if it was not rightfully his.
- What were the major issues with which Jesus was confronted that have already been discussed? (The hypocrisy and false teaching of the Pharisees.)
- What was the man demanding of Jesus?
- Why did Jesus refuse to get involved in the family matter? (He would lose either way in the eyes of those around Him.)
- How could the Pharisees have used His answer against Him? (If He gave in to the demands of the man then they could accuse Him of violating the Mosaic Law on inheritance.)
- What was the underlying problem in the man’s life? (He was a greedy and covetousness man.)
- What did it say about Him? (His god was physical possessions.)
- What did Jesus say was more important than wealth? (Who he was did not depend on what he owned. Contrary to what is said today that money makes a man the opposite is true that he truly reflects what kind of man he is based on how he handles what God has given him.)
- What should our attitude be toward things?
Luke 12:16-20
Instead of answering the man directly Jesus told a parable. It would be a message for all those around Him to hear. The parable was about a man who had reaped a great harvest. It was pointed out that the man was already rich before the abundant crop came in. He decided to increase his wealth by building new barns and hording the crop for himself. His plans were to enjoy all of the fruits of his labor for himself. He was not going to share them with anyone but was going to eat, drink and be merry. There was only hitch in what he had decided. While he expected to have a long life God came to him and declared that he had been a fool for thinking that he was the one who determined what his future would be like. Rather than the long life with all of its benefits his life would end that very night. God further indicated to him that what he thought was his would be distributed to others after his death.
- What problem did Jesus address when He told the parable? (The greed of the man in hording the harvest for his own pleasure and comfort.)
- What would have kept the man from being judged by God so harshly?
- What does this parable say about the way we view our possessions?
- What would it mean to hold possessions with an open hand rather than a clinched fists?
- What picture did Jesus paint for us by declaring that the man had acted like a fool?
- What was the final judgment of the man? (With all of his possessions he forgot the One who he should fear?
- What did God mean by his soul would be required of you? (He had been more interested in profited himself and gaining the whole world than doing those things that would have indicated he loved God.)
Luke 12:21
What Jesus was pointing out was that the greedy man one who holds on to what he has earned or been given does not honor God with what God has provided him.
- What is to be our treasure?
- Where should it be stored?
- What are the indications that through your actions and attitudes that you are storing them in heaven?
- How does greed, covetousness and other failures keep us from a relationship with Jesus? (Our focus is on the things of this world and not as if we are aliens who are only here for a short while.)
Luke 12:22-28
In complete contrast to the man in the parable Jesus wanted His disciples to not worry about what this life has to offer in the way of possessions including food and clothing, prestige, power, or position. Jesus goes on to share three examples of how God provides for their needs.
- Ravens certainly do not strive the way man does yet God takes care of them.
- Although man can certainly shorten his life it is not in his power to add one hour to his time on earth. Since he cannot affect even the smallest detail he should leave everything in God’s hands
- The lilies cannot make themselves beautiful, but Solomon as wealthy as he was could not compare to the beauty that God gave them. If God took the time to create such beauty in vegetation which is only alive for a short period of time, how much more would he provide what a person wears.
Jesus had strong words for those who concerned themselves with the basic needs of this life. He called them men of little faith.
- What is to be the concern of each of us? (We are not worry about anything knowing God will provide for us.)
- What examples did Jesus give to show how God will provide for us?
- What are the things about which you spend time worrying?
- Which of the examples resonates the most with you?
- How does your choice reflect the things that concern you the most?
- Why did Jesus use such strong words speaking of those who worry?
Luke 12:29-31
The followers of Christ were to be different than those who focused on material things like food and clothing. The nations of the world seek after and war over those things. He admonished them to not worry about earthly possessions. The Father would provide what they needed.
- In what ways were the disciples to be different than the people of the nations around them?
- What are the possessions that you believe you cannot do without?
- What would you think if God told you that He would provide you with all you need?
- Is there anything wrong with desiring to have material possessions?
- Why or why not?
Luke 12:31-32
Man’s focus is to be on the things of the kingdom of God. Those things that man needs, God has promised to provide. He does not give out of some kind of obligation. His joy is to gladly man share the one thing that is important, His kingdom.
- What was to be the disciple’s main focus? (Eternity)
- Why do we not have to worry about material possessions? (They are temporary.)
- What is God’s attitude concerning the things He wants to provide for us?
- How does this focus eliminate the attitudes of greed and covetousness?
- What is the greatest gift that God wants to give us?
Luke 12:33-34
To make sure that the disciples understood what He was saying, Jesus commanded them to:
- Sell possessions,
- Give to charity
- Make money belts that do not wear out.
- Place your unfailing treasure in heaven where it will be safe.
He demanded those things from them so they would understand to whom they were to be committed. To belong to Christ is to put one’s total trust in Him. The very thing that a person treasures to that he will give his heart. Man’s belief in Christ is the greatest treasure of all.
- Why did Jesus command the disciples to sell everything?
- What is meant by a money belt that does not wear out? (The wealth of this earth is temporary.
- Where is your heart’s treasure?
- Why is our treasure safe in heaven?
- Take a realistic look at what you consider important.
- Learn to be satisfied with what God provides for you.
- Remember that your life is not what you have but your place in God’s kingdom.
- It is important for you to be at peace with God which means to not be anxious about the things that you cannot control.
- Pray that God will help you with attitudes like greed and covetousness.
Instead of focusing on ourselves we are to strive to serve others. This was the theme of the teaching of Jesus and prevalent in the letters of Paul. We see this especially in the answer to one of the Scribes when he asked about the law. Jesus finished up His words with the command to love one’s neighbor as well as you love yourself. When we reach the point that we stop thinking about ourselves but others we will have no time for things like greed or covetousness to creep into the body. Pride is to have no place in the church because it is the great destroyer of unity in the body of Christ.