Luke 12:13-21 (NIV)

The theme of the of this parable is greed.  We must be on our guard against all kinds of greed.  Greed is a sin problem but it is more sneaky than other sins such as addiction, murder, or adultery.  In other words, a person knows when they are addicted or commit murder or adultery but a person may not realize they have become greedy.  We can see greed in others, but we may not see it in ourselves.

Q. How has greed snuck up on you in your own personal experience?

We need to watch out for greed in own hearts. We don’t have to be rich to be greedy.  Jesus calls the man a rich fool, but he was a farmer.  He was not someone who owned a mansion or a big business like Amazon.  We are richer than we believe and anybody can be greedy.  Wealth is not a sin but trusting in riches is what leads to greed.

1. It’s not about what I can INHERIT but who INHERITED me.

In an instant our lives could be over and it will all be meaningless.  Our stuff is temporary.  The heart of the man in this parable was not for the Lord, it was for what Jesus could give him. We can be greedy toward God.  We can want from Jesus but never truly love Him for who He is.  We love what God can do but sometimes we don’t truly have a heart for him ourselves.  We don’t generally say we love someone but then never talk to them.

Q. When do you find yourself talking to God the more, when you need something or when things are going great?

Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV)

If we put our trust in Him, we are truly His inheritance!  It is not about what He can give us, it is about what He has already done.

2. Peace comes from HEAVEN, not from EARTHLY POSSESSIONS.

In our culture we confuse peace with worldly comfort.

Comfort is the COUNTERFEIT of heavenly peace.

‘If I just get a little bit more I will be happy.’  If we get a little more we will be content.  The rich fool had a full barn and thought he would be more comfortable to build a bigger barn to store his surplus.

Q. How have you substituted peace for comfort (what have you thought that if you had it your life would be better or you would be more stable)?

If we make our life around comfort we will always be trying to get a little more and then it could all be gone in an instant.  That little bit more is never enough.  Comfort says when my circumstances are good I will be happy.  Peace says I will be happy in any circumstance.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Paul had peace in all circumstances.

You can’t lose  PEACE that comes from the PRINCE OF PEACE.

Comfort does not bring peace, and Jesus did not call us to be comfortable.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

The cross symbolized suffering and sacrifice.  Jesus was not comfortable, He went to the cross. We are called to sacrifice.  When it is inconvenient, it is a sacrifice.  Serving others is a sacrifice. Be ready and willing to help someone.

Q. What are some examples of how you sacrifice something to serve others?

The Trust Factor:

3. We focus on the GIVING, God takes care of the STORING.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT)

Paul warns us that what we think will bring us joy and comfort will come to an end.  We are called to be givers and to sacrifice for others who are far from God so that they may give God the glory. We are not called to store up things for ourselves but we are called to give.  When we sacrifice for others we are really not giving up anything but we are storing up treasures in heaven.

Q. How does knowing that in sacrificing you are storing up treasures in heaven make you want to serve others even more?

Luke 12:21 (NIV)

Give to advance the Gospel.  We are to love our neighbors and not worry about ourselves but be there for others.

Challenge: Choose a neighbor, co-worker, family member, or friend) this week, show them love and serve them.