November 15, 2015
Morning Service

Luke 12:16-21.

 

The Lord’s parable that we will look at this morning has a very simple, easy to understand lesson.  Let’s look at what led up to Jesus speaking this parable.

Luk 12:13-15  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.  (14)  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  (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.

This young man was probably within his rights to expect a share of the inheritance, but Jesus takes this opportunity to teach a lesson on covetousness, or worldly possessions.

THE PARABLE.

Luk 12:16-21  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (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.  (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.  (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?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

Now there is only one thing wrong with this picture.  He left God out of the equation.

There wasn’t a thing wrong with his idea to build bigger barns, and to lay up goods for his retirement, but he wasn’t thinking about sharing with God.

·         In the book of Ecc. Solomon says this;

Ecc_2:24, Ecc_3:12-13, Ecc_3:22, Ecc_5:18, Ecc_9:7-9; 1Ti_6:17

Ecc 2:24  There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

 

Ecc 3:12-13  I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  (13)  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

 

Ecc 3:22  Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

 

Ecc 5:18-19  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.  (19)  Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

 

Ecc 8:15  Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

 

Ecc 9:7-9  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.  (8)  Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.  (9)  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Then the Apostle Paul tells Timothy:

·         1Ti 6:17-19  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  (19)  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 

As we can see by these Scriptures your wealth, and good fortune comes from God.  Rewards from hard work.  He wants you to enjoy life, and share your blessings with others, especially Him.

 

Paul was constantly encouraging the saints to share their wealth, or even their meager wealth, with the poor.  This is something that every Christian recognizes as their duty.

 

Then there is the concept of sharing with God, Who gave us what we have.

Remembering that all Scripture is given by God, and is profitable for doctrine;

God, in Malachi, spoke pretty harshly to the people concerning their giving to His work.

·         Mal 3:8-12  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  (9)  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  (10)  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (11)  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.  (12)  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

In the New Testament writings we are encouraged to give, and share as we have been prospered:

·         1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

·         2Co 9:6-8  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  (7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

And if we notice, there is a blessing that goes with our giving to God’s work, and a curse if we leave God out of the equation.

 

This is what was wrong in the parable we looked at earlier.  God blessed this man with wealth, and he left God out of his life.

 

Giving to the Lord’s work is a very important part of our walk with God.  The reality is, that when God get’s us, He gets our pocket book also.  Some have gave to where it took away from their families.  This is not what God wants.  He wants you to give as we have said above.  Not to hurt your family.

 

The proper way to give to God is like this; Out of our weekly income, give to God first, whatever the amount.  Then give to yourself, as savings, then pay your bills, and then what you have left, use wisely, and don’t blow it on worldly foolishness.  God will bless you above your imagination, and His storehouse will be full.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, PLEASE QUICKEN THIS TRUTH TO OUR HEARTS, AND HELP YOUR PEOPLE GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.  AMEN.