MOST TIMES, we look so good from a distance—well dressed and well behaved, but what happens when people come close to us?
On social media, everyone looks perfect—and so, we want to have what our friends have without wanting to know how they acquired them.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
The Narrative
WHEN A PHARISEE invited him to dinner, Jesus was quick to accept.
The following day, he spoke against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. And someone in the crowd interrupted him.
“Master, you should tell my older brother that he has to divide the family inheritance and give me my fair share!” (Luke 12:13)
It wasn’t arbitrary for someone to ask a rabbi to intervene in such a dispute.
But Jesus said to him, “My friend, you can’t expect me to help you with this. It’s not my business to settle arguments between you and your brother—that’s yours to settle.” (Luke 12:14)
Relationship is Vital
THE MAN was likely the younger of two brothers. He wasn’t asking Jesus to be an arbitrator but to take sides with him.
He wanted Jesus to put pressure on his brother, but Jesus wanted him to restore his relationship with his brother.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
Be on Guard
JESUS WARNED THE MAN against greed and told him that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. (Luke 12:15)
Then, Jesus told him a parable.
A wealthy man owned some land that produced a bumper harvest.
“I have a problem. I do not know where to store my crops,” the rich fool said to himself.
I know! I’ll tear down my small barns and build even bigger ones, and then I’ll have plenty of storage space for my grain and all my other goods.
Then I’ll be able to say to myself, “‘I have it made! I can relax and take it easy for years! So, I’ll just sit back, eat, drink, and have a good time!’” (Luke 12:16-19)
Being content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor - Benjamin Franklin.
Be A Steward
THE RICH FOOL did not realize that he was a steward to God.
Jesus called him the fool because he did not acknowledge God in his achievement, and his success became meaningless.
Kenneth Bailey said, “In biblical thought, we are stewards of all our possessions and are responsible to God what we do with them.”
What are you doing with your possessions? Do you thank God for all you achieve?
Ananias and Sapphira failed to acknowledge that they were accountable to God for what they owned, and they lost their lives. (Acts 5:1-11)
God owns Everything
THE PSALMIST says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
The rich fool felt that he was set up for life and kept saying, my crop, my barn.
He was self-indulgent and wasn’t rich towards God. As a result, God took his life.
But the writer of Ecclesiastes had a good understanding of his source.
He said, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This, too, I see, is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
We must understand that in God we live, we move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) And never stop thanking Him for all that we achieve.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
IN EVERY SITUATION, God will do what is right—the young man wanted Jesus to use His influence on the brother, but he didn’t.
Until you understand the Cross, you cannot understand why your commitments to what is right must precede what you prefer.