Today's passage gives insight into how to have a sound world view. Materialism is an easy temptation to fall into. We can easily focus on the fleeting comfort and happiness that money can bring, and lose sight not only of the more important heavenly things worthy of our focus (Colossians 3.2, Matthew 6.19-21), but also how much danger there is in striving after money (1 Timothy 6.10, Matthew 6.24, Matthew 19.24).

The man in today's passage was not putting into practice what Jesus had taught some time ago, in Luke 6.30, to not strive after material things but instead be ready to give to others. The man failed to see what was so obvious: he was vying for an inheritance because the original possessor of that wealth had a finite life in this world, just as the man himself had. While this world and its riches pass away, we have the opportunity to work out our faith on things that matter to God (Romans 2.6, Revelation 22.11-12). This is a topic Jesus touches on a number of times, both directly and through parables, so we know it is both easy to get wrong and important to get right.

May the word of God open our eyes to see how we can be good stewards of all He has blessed us with and not fall into worldly greed.

[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.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What was the man's desire? [v. 13]

+ What was Jesus' initial response? [v. 14; consider Jeremiah 17.10 and Mark 12.17 for context as to why]

+ When the rich man in the parable had more than he knew what to do with, what was his response? [v. 18] What would have been a better response? [e.g. Matthew 19.21]

+ Where was the rich man's faith and assurance based on v. 19?

+ What was God's response to the rich man? [v. 20]

+ What are the two outcomes our work can yield, based on v. 21?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ When you work, is the focus of your effort on God, as Colossians 3.23-24 exhorts us, or merely on worldly gain?

+ Is there covetousness in your heart you need to confess? What steps can you take to rectify that? Who will help keep you accountable?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?