The Certainty Of Christ's Parables
Book of Luke 12
We already know that the Lord Jesus used many parables in His teaching.
A parable can be best described as a story of something in our earthly life or in nature, that we can compare to the truth of God's Word, a Heavenly truth.
It is a fact that both the Created world of God and all the things in Heaven develop according to the same laws.
For instance in the spring we see the resurrection of this natural world from the dead of Winter to the new life of Spring which should remind us that to be resurrected is to be raised from death to eternal life.
Nature is a witness of the Spiritual world to come.
It could be said that a parable is the clearest illustration of God's truth!
We can be certain that the parables that Jesus taught will clearly show us the meaning of God's Word.
Everything that Jesus taught was in perfect harmony with the Message of His Father.
We should remember that a parable will never contradict the truth of the Scriptures, but will only point to the truth of God!
*****Luk 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
Here we see one of the followers of Christ asked that He be the judge between he and his brother. This man was in a dispute with his own brother over the inheritance of his fathers estate.
We already know that by the laws of Moses the elder brother would get two thirds of the estate compared to his younger brother's one third.
We do not know if this is the problem with this man or not.
This man felt that he deserved an equal share of all the things his father had possessed.
The truth is, we never see where Jesus will ever interfere in secular matters!
At this time it was not His purpose because He came to seek and to save those who are lost!
At this time is was a common practice in the life of the Jews for the Rabbi to settle local legal disputes.
What do we know?
**This man had been listening to the Preaching message of Jesus sermons.
**This man was seeking material wealth of this world.
BUT, Jesus will never deal in matters of selfishness!
*****Luk 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Jesus Christ refused this man very sternly.
This gives us an idea how the Lord would respond to any request for the material things of this world for our own use.
This man exposed a serious flaw in the spiritual life he should have been seeking.
In verses 1-12 Jesus was teaching all those who would listen to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees.
Most of the Pharisees were hypocrites who taught the Laws of Moses but they themselves lived outside those Laws.
This is something we see in our own government today. Men and women who make the laws refuse to abide by those laws.
The truth is, the disciples of the Lord are to never live in this manner and are always to be aware of hypocrisy.
We are never to get caught up in this way of thinking!
Luk 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
This was a man who had heard the message of Jesus but he was to preoccupied in his own worldliness to listen to what Jesus had really said.
The Bible says:
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
It is obvious that this man had his mind on the things of this earth and not on Heavenly things!
There many people who sit before God's preachers but they still refuse to hear the message he has preached.
The Bible says:
Mat 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
This man had a strong desire for the things of this world and that is a sign of cold-hearted worldliness!
AND, Covetousness will lead to all manner of sin!
*****Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Each of the Ten Commandments is centered on covetousness!
The Tenth Commandment says "Thou shalt not covet".
To covet is to have an inordinate desire to possess what belongs to someone else!
In fact as the Bible describes covetousness, it means an ungoverned and selfish desire that threatens the basic rights of others.
To covet can also mean self exertion and the Tenth Commandment forbids such a thing.
This is exactly what is being pushed on the American public by the gay movement, the students that want everything to be free, those who want to take away the rights of Christians, and those who think differently from the Democratic Party and the secular society of today.
Free speech to these people means that you can say what you want to say as long as you do not disagree with what they have to say!
They should remember the Word of God:
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
To be covetous is to not be rich toward God!
To be covetous is to deny faith and scorn the values of God!
Just as Jesus says "life does not consists of the things of this world that we have in our possession".
Jesus says to "take heed", "to beware".
It was not being wronged by his brother that drove this man, it was simply greed!
This was the sin of this man and the great sin of this world we live in!
This is the sin of covetousness!
This is the sin of Socialism!
This is the sin of Communism!
These people become aggressively self-centered and this is what we see in America today!
So Jesus teaches with a parable.
*****Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luk 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
In this parable we have a man who is already a rich land owner.
The crops that were planted on his lands brought forth greater than average crops, so much so he did not have room to store the abundance.
He uses the word "I" six times and the word "my" five times in these passages, because we see that he could only think of himself.
The one thing we can be sure of, is that if we have anything it is something that God has provided to us for a reason.
We are all prone to take credit for the things that we have acquired when the truth is, success comes only from God!
The sin of covetousness is a craving and a desire for more.
Covetousness is the sin that is hardest to overcome!
Covetousness causes greediness.
Covetousness causes dissatisfaction with what is enough.
Covetousness causes our cravings to influence our fleshy behavior!
It is not so "much a want to have" as a "got to have" and a will to try to obtain no matter the cost.
Covetousness puts material things in the place of God!
When this man had a great opportunity to help others in need, he chose only to store it in newly built barns.
This man had become self-centered that only his perceived needs were real ti him.
And what did God say to him? "You are a fool".
God says those that continuously lay up treasure for themselves and are not rich toward the ways of God are fools.
We already know that Jesus warned us for calling anyone a fool using the Greek word "moros" which means stupid.
But here the Holy Spirit uses a much stronger word meaning "insane".
Covetousness is a very serious sin in the eyes of God and goes all the way back to the very first commandment.
Notice, God knew the thoughts of this man.
Notice, God knew this man would die that very night.
The soul of this man was going to cease because the soul returns to the God who gave it.
The soul simply does not cease existing when the flesh dies!
The soul returns to the spiritual world.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
This man will never know who ended up with his riches after his death.
Psa 39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Pro 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Pro 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
Pro 5:23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
What did Jesus say before He began this parable?
Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
True life is not about the material things of this world we live in!
True life is about what happens after the death of this flesh we live in. It is the soul that has eternal life!
*****Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Psa 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Psa 49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
Psa 49:9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Psa 49:10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Wealth is not a permanent possession!
Someone else will always get your wealth that you leave behind and many times not those you would prefer to have it.
The ownership of material things is really never ours to begin with, all things belong to God.
1) The riches of God are true life:
Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
2) The riches of God come from a life of faith:
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
3) The riches of God in this life are from our good works after our salvation.
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
4) The riches of God come from the wisdom of God:
Pro 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Those that lay up their own treasures in this world are not rich in the things of God that last forever!
*****Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Discipleship training has lost it's importance in the modern day church.
We should be clear, Jesus is teaching His disciples here. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ then you need some training for the tasks that He has for us all!
This message is not for the world, those that reject Jesus Christ!
Taking thought, is worrying.
Taking thought, is being overly concerned.
God says for us to not worry about the necessities of life!
King David said: Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Jesus said "I have come that you might have life".
In other words, life is not about this life we live in the flesh that only last such a short time!
*****Luk 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
The biggest problem this world has today is that it does not believe in an ultimate provider.
In reality there are no such things as the laws of nature!
God did not create a world in which only the strong survive!
Psa 145:15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Psa 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Sure there are those that are starving in this world but if looked you would see that most people starve because some man or some men have interfered with the food process!
The truth is, that it is only those who are strong in Christ that will survive.
The life that Christ Jesus supplies is eternal!
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Our faith is the key to true life, if that faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Who would choose a meal over such a life?
Who would choose a new wardrobe over such a life?
These things are just covetousness which leads to most all sin!
The greatest sin besides, rejecting the Lord Jesus, is the desire of mankind for bigger and better things of this world.
Life and our bodies mean much more that the food we eat and the clothes we wear, or the place we live, or the things we think we own!
We already know that a healthy lifestyle will extend our life in this world and a life in Christ will extend that life to a life eternal in the actual presence of God.
Jesus did not say we are not to think or to plan for the necessities of life, Jesus said we are not to worry about these things.
Life takes some thought and some planning but we are never to covet to the point of worrying!
We should just truly consider the ways of God!
*****Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Jesus says just consider all the birds, they are fed by God Himself.
As far as I know, the only birds who die of starvation are those who have been captured by some person and kept as pets.
Birds do not sow or reap their food, they just go to the location where food is available.
Many animals store up food for the times when it is not available but not the birds, God provides for them day by day.
Birds are willing to go to wherever their needs are met!
God says that those who have accepted His Son Jesus as their personal Savior are of much more value than the birds.
Faith that God will provide our needs comes from the faith that we have a Savior and a Redeemer.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jesus is teaching all His disciples, which includes all who have faith in Him, not to worry or be anxious in this world over food and clothing.
BUT, we should also remember that God does not put up with laziness, or a lack of initiative, and effort on our part.
God made plans ahead of time for our salvation.
Jesus planned ahead for His own funeral.
Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Joh 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
Jesus preached and taught for us all to be industrious believers.
Luk 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Jesus said we are to be more industrious than this unjust steward.
The Bible is very clear about us being faithful workers and even working to have extra that we can give to those that do not have.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Our faith means that we are trusting in God to meet all our needs because God says He will never forsake us.
God does not ever say that we will not suffer in this life in fact He says we will!
It is that suffering that will increase our faith!
God truly cares for those who love Him!
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Worrying about these things of God is then senseless!
*****Luk 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
The Greek word used for stature in this verse is "helikia".
Helikia can mean age as well as size.
So this verse could read either "who can add one cubit which is about 18 inches to his stature" or it could read "who could add one minute to his life span".
The answer to both is that none of us can do either of these things.
No two of us are alike but we are all sinners!
This world is corrupt and imperfect just as we all are.
Our only hope is in the Almighty God through the Lord Jesus Christ who makes these promises to us.
2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
*****Luk 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
It is to our benefit to think that there are many things that we simply cannot do!
There are some simple things that man simply cannot do.
It would seem reasonable that we are in control of our own destiny but the truth is we are not in control at all!
God does not cause accidents yet they still happen and our lives our over before we know it.
The big thing today is climate change and with all the power of man and all the knowledge of the world's greatest minds, it is God who controls these things and the climate has always changed.
If we would only look at a Supreme Being and not the foolishness of Evolution we would not get so caught up in these things!
When we are unable to do some of the simplest of things with human power, how could we ever believe we could do these things that foolish men say is possible.
God has promised that no matter what we see or think, God will work out all things for the good to those that truly trust Him!
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
We know God's plan and we may not understand His methods, but we need to just place these things in His hands because He certainly knows what is best for us.
1Co 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
We are challenged to trust God and leave all our worries to Him, or to be so anxious about this life that it robs us of our peace and joy.
We are to consider what God has already done.
*****Luk 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luk 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
When we see the beautiful lilies, do they not always appear contented and happy.
The lilies live on the property of man.
The same air that keeps us alive does not help the growth of the lily, because the lily requires our wasted air.
When we and also the animals breath in all the air we want, it is that air that is exhausted, though poison to us, that is life to the lily.
A lily is not concerned with popularity or of wearing the proper clothing.
A lily is not concerned with style and fashion.
A lily is not concerned with acceptability.
Flowers are grateful for the leftovers of this world and our ingratefulness shows when we simply cannot be happy with what God has provided for us.
As rich as King Solomon was, he could not purchase clothing that could come close to the beauty of the lilies!
God simply says, to get all the good out of the things He has provided before we wish for better things!
A flower has no wings and no feet and must stay exactly where it is planted.
They do not do anything that cannot be done at home.
When the Lord Jesus was asked to do wrong He said "I and my Father are one".
Jesus was saying that this is not what happens in My Father's House!
There are still people who talk to their flowers but flowers never talk back.
Flowers allow their silent beauty do all their talking for them!
Flowers teach us to do good without being asked to do so!
It is a fact that without the systems God has put in place we would not have flowers!
We would not have trees!
We would not have grass!
We not not have the wheat and the corn that feeds us!
God is the Creator of life, not only mankind, and all the animals but life also can be seen in all the plants that grow and many of those plants are grown for our on benefit.
We get food and shelter and many other resources from plants who survive off our waste and even if they had mouths they would never complain!
SO, What this world is suffering the most from, "is a lack of faith" and that faith in God!
*****Luk 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
When we doubt that God cares enough for us to provide our basic needs, then we become anxious and worry to a point that we become insecure in many other things.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Worldliness is being wrapped up in the things of this world and doubting God's care!
These things will consume us if they are allowed to fester!
When life becomes food, drink and possessions, we have forgotten that life is eternal and we have forgotten life is in the soul which never dies.
As the children of God we are to different from those of this world!
God commands us to seek the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be provided.
We must understand that God knows we have personal needs!
If we cannot trust in God's ability to provide our basic needs, how then can we be sure of our own salvation.
A God that cannot provide for His people is not much of a God!
We serve a God that not only provides our needs, but He gets great pleasure in doing so!
*****Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
God has great pleasure in giving us treasures that do not age, that do not corrupt, and no one can steal them away from us!
The teaching of the Lord is this: "Once our needs have been met, we do not need more".
We will only waste it or we will store it to deny others from having.
We live in a world that is full of needs and should be willing to help others with any excess that we have.
Not to gain a good reputation but for the purpose of seeking the Kingdom of God!
What advice does God give us?
*****Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
"Gifts" of money and good deeds can never grow old.
The treasures in Heaven are built upon the fruit of the Holy Spirit and Souls led to the Lord.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
These things never age, never fail, cannot corrupt, and cannot be stolen, as all things of this earth do.
The real treasures are in Heaven!
Our hearts should be centered these things of Heaven.
If we believe our treasure is in this world then our hearts are in this world.
As this world is corrupt, then our hearts are corrupt!
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We can be certain that the parables of the Lord Jesus Christ teach us Heavenly Truths!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Luke 12
We already know that the Lord Jesus used many parables in His teaching.
A parable can be best described as a story of something in our earthly life or in nature, that we can compare to the truth of God's Word, a Heavenly truth.
It is a fact that both the Created world of God and all the things in Heaven develop according to the same laws.
For instance in the spring we see the resurrection of this natural world from the dead of Winter to the new life of Spring which should remind us that to be resurrected is to be raised from death to eternal life.
Nature is a witness of the Spiritual world to come.
It could be said that a parable is the clearest illustration of God's truth!
We can be certain that the parables that Jesus taught will clearly show us the meaning of God's Word.
Everything that Jesus taught was in perfect harmony with the Message of His Father.
We should remember that a parable will never contradict the truth of the Scriptures, but will only point to the truth of God!
*****Luk 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
Here we see one of the followers of Christ asked that He be the judge between he and his brother. This man was in a dispute with his own brother over the inheritance of his fathers estate.
We already know that by the laws of Moses the elder brother would get two thirds of the estate compared to his younger brother's one third.
We do not know if this is the problem with this man or not.
This man felt that he deserved an equal share of all the things his father had possessed.
The truth is, we never see where Jesus will ever interfere in secular matters!
At this time it was not His purpose because He came to seek and to save those who are lost!
At this time is was a common practice in the life of the Jews for the Rabbi to settle local legal disputes.
What do we know?
**This man had been listening to the Preaching message of Jesus sermons.
**This man was seeking material wealth of this world.
BUT, Jesus will never deal in matters of selfishness!
*****Luk 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Jesus Christ refused this man very sternly.
This gives us an idea how the Lord would respond to any request for the material things of this world for our own use.
This man exposed a serious flaw in the spiritual life he should have been seeking.
In verses 1-12 Jesus was teaching all those who would listen to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees.
Most of the Pharisees were hypocrites who taught the Laws of Moses but they themselves lived outside those Laws.
This is something we see in our own government today. Men and women who make the laws refuse to abide by those laws.
The truth is, the disciples of the Lord are to never live in this manner and are always to be aware of hypocrisy.
We are never to get caught up in this way of thinking!
Luk 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
This was a man who had heard the message of Jesus but he was to preoccupied in his own worldliness to listen to what Jesus had really said.
The Bible says:
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
It is obvious that this man had his mind on the things of this earth and not on Heavenly things!
There many people who sit before God's preachers but they still refuse to hear the message he has preached.
The Bible says:
Mat 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
This man had a strong desire for the things of this world and that is a sign of cold-hearted worldliness!
AND, Covetousness will lead to all manner of sin!
*****Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Each of the Ten Commandments is centered on covetousness!
The Tenth Commandment says "Thou shalt not covet".
To covet is to have an inordinate desire to possess what belongs to someone else!
In fact as the Bible describes covetousness, it means an ungoverned and selfish desire that threatens the basic rights of others.
To covet can also mean self exertion and the Tenth Commandment forbids such a thing.
This is exactly what is being pushed on the American public by the gay movement, the students that want everything to be free, those who want to take away the rights of Christians, and those who think differently from the Democratic Party and the secular society of today.
Free speech to these people means that you can say what you want to say as long as you do not disagree with what they have to say!
They should remember the Word of God:
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
To be covetous is to not be rich toward God!
To be covetous is to deny faith and scorn the values of God!
Just as Jesus says "life does not consists of the things of this world that we have in our possession".
Jesus says to "take heed", "to beware".
It was not being wronged by his brother that drove this man, it was simply greed!
This was the sin of this man and the great sin of this world we live in!
This is the sin of covetousness!
This is the sin of Socialism!
This is the sin of Communism!
These people become aggressively self-centered and this is what we see in America today!
So Jesus teaches with a parable.
*****Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luk 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
In this parable we have a man who is already a rich land owner.
The crops that were planted on his lands brought forth greater than average crops, so much so he did not have room to store the abundance.
He uses the word "I" six times and the word "my" five times in these passages, because we see that he could only think of himself.
The one thing we can be sure of, is that if we have anything it is something that God has provided to us for a reason.
We are all prone to take credit for the things that we have acquired when the truth is, success comes only from God!
The sin of covetousness is a craving and a desire for more.
Covetousness is the sin that is hardest to overcome!
Covetousness causes greediness.
Covetousness causes dissatisfaction with what is enough.
Covetousness causes our cravings to influence our fleshy behavior!
It is not so "much a want to have" as a "got to have" and a will to try to obtain no matter the cost.
Covetousness puts material things in the place of God!
When this man had a great opportunity to help others in need, he chose only to store it in newly built barns.
This man had become self-centered that only his perceived needs were real ti him.
And what did God say to him? "You are a fool".
God says those that continuously lay up treasure for themselves and are not rich toward the ways of God are fools.
We already know that Jesus warned us for calling anyone a fool using the Greek word "moros" which means stupid.
But here the Holy Spirit uses a much stronger word meaning "insane".
Covetousness is a very serious sin in the eyes of God and goes all the way back to the very first commandment.
Notice, God knew the thoughts of this man.
Notice, God knew this man would die that very night.
The soul of this man was going to cease because the soul returns to the God who gave it.
The soul simply does not cease existing when the flesh dies!
The soul returns to the spiritual world.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
This man will never know who ended up with his riches after his death.
Psa 39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Pro 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Pro 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
Pro 5:23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
What did Jesus say before He began this parable?
Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
True life is not about the material things of this world we live in!
True life is about what happens after the death of this flesh we live in. It is the soul that has eternal life!
*****Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Psa 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Psa 49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
Psa 49:9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Psa 49:10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Wealth is not a permanent possession!
Someone else will always get your wealth that you leave behind and many times not those you would prefer to have it.
The ownership of material things is really never ours to begin with, all things belong to God.
1) The riches of God are true life:
Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
2) The riches of God come from a life of faith:
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
3) The riches of God in this life are from our good works after our salvation.
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
4) The riches of God come from the wisdom of God:
Pro 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Those that lay up their own treasures in this world are not rich in the things of God that last forever!
*****Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Discipleship training has lost it's importance in the modern day church.
We should be clear, Jesus is teaching His disciples here. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ then you need some training for the tasks that He has for us all!
This message is not for the world, those that reject Jesus Christ!
Taking thought, is worrying.
Taking thought, is being overly concerned.
God says for us to not worry about the necessities of life!
King David said: Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Jesus said "I have come that you might have life".
In other words, life is not about this life we live in the flesh that only last such a short time!
*****Luk 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
The biggest problem this world has today is that it does not believe in an ultimate provider.
In reality there are no such things as the laws of nature!
God did not create a world in which only the strong survive!
Psa 145:15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Psa 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Sure there are those that are starving in this world but if looked you would see that most people starve because some man or some men have interfered with the food process!
The truth is, that it is only those who are strong in Christ that will survive.
The life that Christ Jesus supplies is eternal!
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Our faith is the key to true life, if that faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Who would choose a meal over such a life?
Who would choose a new wardrobe over such a life?
These things are just covetousness which leads to most all sin!
The greatest sin besides, rejecting the Lord Jesus, is the desire of mankind for bigger and better things of this world.
Life and our bodies mean much more that the food we eat and the clothes we wear, or the place we live, or the things we think we own!
We already know that a healthy lifestyle will extend our life in this world and a life in Christ will extend that life to a life eternal in the actual presence of God.
Jesus did not say we are not to think or to plan for the necessities of life, Jesus said we are not to worry about these things.
Life takes some thought and some planning but we are never to covet to the point of worrying!
We should just truly consider the ways of God!
*****Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Jesus says just consider all the birds, they are fed by God Himself.
As far as I know, the only birds who die of starvation are those who have been captured by some person and kept as pets.
Birds do not sow or reap their food, they just go to the location where food is available.
Many animals store up food for the times when it is not available but not the birds, God provides for them day by day.
Birds are willing to go to wherever their needs are met!
God says that those who have accepted His Son Jesus as their personal Savior are of much more value than the birds.
Faith that God will provide our needs comes from the faith that we have a Savior and a Redeemer.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jesus is teaching all His disciples, which includes all who have faith in Him, not to worry or be anxious in this world over food and clothing.
BUT, we should also remember that God does not put up with laziness, or a lack of initiative, and effort on our part.
God made plans ahead of time for our salvation.
Jesus planned ahead for His own funeral.
Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Joh 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
Jesus preached and taught for us all to be industrious believers.
Luk 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Jesus said we are to be more industrious than this unjust steward.
The Bible is very clear about us being faithful workers and even working to have extra that we can give to those that do not have.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Our faith means that we are trusting in God to meet all our needs because God says He will never forsake us.
God does not ever say that we will not suffer in this life in fact He says we will!
It is that suffering that will increase our faith!
God truly cares for those who love Him!
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Worrying about these things of God is then senseless!
*****Luk 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
The Greek word used for stature in this verse is "helikia".
Helikia can mean age as well as size.
So this verse could read either "who can add one cubit which is about 18 inches to his stature" or it could read "who could add one minute to his life span".
The answer to both is that none of us can do either of these things.
No two of us are alike but we are all sinners!
This world is corrupt and imperfect just as we all are.
Our only hope is in the Almighty God through the Lord Jesus Christ who makes these promises to us.
2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
*****Luk 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
It is to our benefit to think that there are many things that we simply cannot do!
There are some simple things that man simply cannot do.
It would seem reasonable that we are in control of our own destiny but the truth is we are not in control at all!
God does not cause accidents yet they still happen and our lives our over before we know it.
The big thing today is climate change and with all the power of man and all the knowledge of the world's greatest minds, it is God who controls these things and the climate has always changed.
If we would only look at a Supreme Being and not the foolishness of Evolution we would not get so caught up in these things!
When we are unable to do some of the simplest of things with human power, how could we ever believe we could do these things that foolish men say is possible.
God has promised that no matter what we see or think, God will work out all things for the good to those that truly trust Him!
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
We know God's plan and we may not understand His methods, but we need to just place these things in His hands because He certainly knows what is best for us.
1Co 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
We are challenged to trust God and leave all our worries to Him, or to be so anxious about this life that it robs us of our peace and joy.
We are to consider what God has already done.
*****Luk 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luk 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
When we see the beautiful lilies, do they not always appear contented and happy.
The lilies live on the property of man.
The same air that keeps us alive does not help the growth of the lily, because the lily requires our wasted air.
When we and also the animals breath in all the air we want, it is that air that is exhausted, though poison to us, that is life to the lily.
A lily is not concerned with popularity or of wearing the proper clothing.
A lily is not concerned with style and fashion.
A lily is not concerned with acceptability.
Flowers are grateful for the leftovers of this world and our ingratefulness shows when we simply cannot be happy with what God has provided for us.
As rich as King Solomon was, he could not purchase clothing that could come close to the beauty of the lilies!
God simply says, to get all the good out of the things He has provided before we wish for better things!
A flower has no wings and no feet and must stay exactly where it is planted.
They do not do anything that cannot be done at home.
When the Lord Jesus was asked to do wrong He said "I and my Father are one".
Jesus was saying that this is not what happens in My Father's House!
There are still people who talk to their flowers but flowers never talk back.
Flowers allow their silent beauty do all their talking for them!
Flowers teach us to do good without being asked to do so!
It is a fact that without the systems God has put in place we would not have flowers!
We would not have trees!
We would not have grass!
We not not have the wheat and the corn that feeds us!
God is the Creator of life, not only mankind, and all the animals but life also can be seen in all the plants that grow and many of those plants are grown for our on benefit.
We get food and shelter and many other resources from plants who survive off our waste and even if they had mouths they would never complain!
SO, What this world is suffering the most from, "is a lack of faith" and that faith in God!
*****Luk 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
When we doubt that God cares enough for us to provide our basic needs, then we become anxious and worry to a point that we become insecure in many other things.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Worldliness is being wrapped up in the things of this world and doubting God's care!
These things will consume us if they are allowed to fester!
When life becomes food, drink and possessions, we have forgotten that life is eternal and we have forgotten life is in the soul which never dies.
As the children of God we are to different from those of this world!
God commands us to seek the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be provided.
We must understand that God knows we have personal needs!
If we cannot trust in God's ability to provide our basic needs, how then can we be sure of our own salvation.
A God that cannot provide for His people is not much of a God!
We serve a God that not only provides our needs, but He gets great pleasure in doing so!
*****Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
God has great pleasure in giving us treasures that do not age, that do not corrupt, and no one can steal them away from us!
The teaching of the Lord is this: "Once our needs have been met, we do not need more".
We will only waste it or we will store it to deny others from having.
We live in a world that is full of needs and should be willing to help others with any excess that we have.
Not to gain a good reputation but for the purpose of seeking the Kingdom of God!
What advice does God give us?
*****Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
"Gifts" of money and good deeds can never grow old.
The treasures in Heaven are built upon the fruit of the Holy Spirit and Souls led to the Lord.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
These things never age, never fail, cannot corrupt, and cannot be stolen, as all things of this earth do.
The real treasures are in Heaven!
Our hearts should be centered these things of Heaven.
If we believe our treasure is in this world then our hearts are in this world.
As this world is corrupt, then our hearts are corrupt!
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We can be certain that the parables of the Lord Jesus Christ teach us Heavenly Truths!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
