Last week I attended a New Testament survey class. It was 2 hours of fascinating insight into various parables that Jesus taught. The professor, a 30-something, self-described "recovering pharisee" had a very direct, intelligent style. The parable that really hit home was the parable of the rich man who had been so successful that his barns were overflowing...
(Luke 12) 16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
My main take-aways:
1. When I stand before God, I don't want His first word to me to be "fool!"
2. Verse 18, the word "all" tells us that this man didn't tithe a portion of his abundance to God.
3. Verse 18, the word "all" tells us that this man also didn't leave the corners of the field available for gleaners to come through and gather
4. How can I be rich toward God? Practical, tangible ways. Obviously, tithing/giving. Responding to needs that I become of aware of. Don't focus on myself. Keep my focus on God, on things above, on living a generous life and not just with money, but with all good gifts given to me by God.
5. Life is short. We have no guarantee of another day after this one. Keep an eternal perspective in all things.
