September 22, 2018 BE ON YOUR GUARD
Luke 12:15, 19-20 “And He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does life consist of his possessions.’” “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said, ‘You fool!’ This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
Jesus always knew how to get His message across in just a few words, and His message always addressed the real issues of those who heard-and His words continue to do the same today. The word to ‘be on guard’ is certainly a word for us to take seriously concerning material possessions and greed. At first, we may be quick to say that we are not materialistic nor are we greedy. It’s a fact that most spend a lot of time and energy acquiring possessions and maintaining those possessions. Most possessions in themselves are not evil, but amoral-neither right nor wrong; the issue is our heart and the importance we put on possessions. If we find our security and our joy in possessions, and we trust in our possessions, including our savings, IRA’s or other retirement funds, and our insurance policies-then we need to hear the words Jesus spoke. For sure, there is nothing wrong in having possessions, or making financial plans for the future, and in fact, we should be diligent in work and providing for our families and meeting the needs of others. But, this is where the words ‘be on your guard’ come into play. In our working and providing, and planning for future, we can without realizing it, begin to trust in what we are doing-what we are acquiring, etc. As a test to see where our trust lies, how would we react if we lost our most valued possessions, or suddenly, our retirement account and our savings were lost? I am not saying that we should not feel any grief if that was to happen, but if we truly trust in the Lord, we will not be devastated by such a loss. When we come to know God and experience Him personally, we realize that life comes from our relationship with Him, not from our possessions. God is not opposed to our having possessions, as long as those possessions do not have us. 1 Timothy tells us: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” We also must be on guard against “every form of greed.” Again, if not careful, we can become envious, or greedy over what others have. Greed is not a part of God’s kingdom, and greed robs us of the joy of the Lord.
1 Timothy 6:6, 9 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Luke 12:15, 19-20 “And He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does life consist of his possessions.’” “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said, ‘You fool!’ This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
Jesus always knew how to get His message across in just a few words, and His message always addressed the real issues of those who heard-and His words continue to do the same today. The word to ‘be on guard’ is certainly a word for us to take seriously concerning material possessions and greed. At first, we may be quick to say that we are not materialistic nor are we greedy. It’s a fact that most spend a lot of time and energy acquiring possessions and maintaining those possessions. Most possessions in themselves are not evil, but amoral-neither right nor wrong; the issue is our heart and the importance we put on possessions. If we find our security and our joy in possessions, and we trust in our possessions, including our savings, IRA’s or other retirement funds, and our insurance policies-then we need to hear the words Jesus spoke. For sure, there is nothing wrong in having possessions, or making financial plans for the future, and in fact, we should be diligent in work and providing for our families and meeting the needs of others. But, this is where the words ‘be on your guard’ come into play. In our working and providing, and planning for future, we can without realizing it, begin to trust in what we are doing-what we are acquiring, etc. As a test to see where our trust lies, how would we react if we lost our most valued possessions, or suddenly, our retirement account and our savings were lost? I am not saying that we should not feel any grief if that was to happen, but if we truly trust in the Lord, we will not be devastated by such a loss. When we come to know God and experience Him personally, we realize that life comes from our relationship with Him, not from our possessions. God is not opposed to our having possessions, as long as those possessions do not have us. 1 Timothy tells us: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” We also must be on guard against “every form of greed.” Again, if not careful, we can become envious, or greedy over what others have. Greed is not a part of God’s kingdom, and greed robs us of the joy of the Lord.
1 Timothy 6:6, 9 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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