Rich Toward God
Sermon 53 in Series
Luke 12:13-21
[13] Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” [14] But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” [15] And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” [16] And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, [17] and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ [18] And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ [20] But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ [21] So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Where have we seen the topic of riches/possessions in Luke so far? How does it relate back to Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees?
2. Why do blind spots abound when it comes to this topic? In what general ways is our culture at odds with Jesus’ teaching?
3. What was the problem with the brother’s request? How does Jesus’ response in v. 15 guard us against laziness and twisting the meaning of life?
4. What is greed/covetousness? Why is it idolatry?
5. Why is greed a particular danger for the wealthy but not limited to the wealthy? How have you seen it show up along the socio-economic spectrum?
6. What is wrong with the rich man’s decision and attitude in the parable? Where does this kind of thinking show up in our society today?
7. What is God’s assessment (v. 20) and Jesus’ application (v. 21)? How does this personally serve as a reality check and a call to live differently with your money?
References: 1 Timothy 6:3-19 (corporate reading); Luke 11:39; Deuteronomy 21:15-17; Number 27:1-11; 36:7-9; Philippians 3:19; Romans 8:5; Colossians 3:2; Luke 2:8; 8:29; 11:21; Proverbs 4:23; 1 Timothy 4:16; Luke 12:23; 11:39; 16:14; Colossians 3:5; Luke 3:11; Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 31:20, 27; Psalm 39:6; James 4:13-14; Matthew 6:19-21.
