July 4, 2001

Reading: Luke 12: 13-21

 

“Rich toward God” (21).

 

These words of Jesus clearly sets forth two very different categories of wealth. An already prosperous man (his barns were already full), wanted more, and indeed, had a great opportunity to store more. His land had produced an abundant crop and he figured that the only way to handle this problem was to tear down the existing barns and build some that would accommodate the harvest. I cannot see too much wrong with this concept, it actually sounds like a wise business decision.

The reason God called him a fool was because he was focused on the wrong thing. His focus was on one thing only – his own prosperity. Well, what is wrong with that? The Bible does not teach against prosperity, does it? It actually teaches just the opposite.

Some of the great men of God were the richest in the land, i.e. David and Solomon, and this was never held against them. The problem with wealth is the same as any thing that comes between a man and God. It may be a hobby or some other interest such as a relationship. Any thing or any one that consumes our attention to the neglect of the things of God is wrong, and we will be rightly classified as a fool.

Jesus did not condemn the man for his business savvy, but because it was all he though about. “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God”. This was the problem; he had his priorities turned around. In fact, he was guilty of the sin of covetousness, something God hates. “For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; he blesses the greedy (covetous) and renounces the LORD” (Ps 10:3). The King James says, “whom the LORD abhorreth”.

The poorest man or woman, who knows Christ as their savior, is richer by far than the wealthiest person who does not know Him. Sometimes these words sound trite because we live in the reality of poverty, but that does not allay the truth that the important thing in life is to be rich toward God. To be involved in the work of the Lord, however trivial it may be, is to be laying up treasure in heaven! A word of comfort to the sorrowing; holding the hand of one who is suffering depression to let them know that you and God love them; to share the scriptures with one who doubts his salvation, these are the important things in life. If we take care of the needs of others in the name of Jesus, we will receiver from Him everything pertaining to our own needs. When we put the Kingdom of God first, that which we give will also be our portion. If we show comfort, we shall be comforted. If we show love we shall know the love of God. When we lead a troubled soul from turmoil to peace, we shall ourselves know that peace that passes all understanding. God is no man’s debtor, and tells us, “but seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you “ (12:31). It is one thing to be saved and to enjoy our salvation, but it is another thing to share our salvation with others. Mother Theresa once said, “I cannot imagine my life without helping those in need”. She surely lived her faith. How often do we reach out our hand to help someone in need? We can become so piously comfortable in our church pews and sanctimonious in our prayers and Bible study that we neglect that which builds up for us “a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys” (33). Just because we are saved, does not mean that we are “rich toward God”. Reach out to others and your bank account in heaven will be opened!