Two Year Gospel Study Week 35

Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 19:7ff. It's not what you posses that matters, but what possesses you. Our treasures are destined for a garage sale or a dumpster. What has enduring value? It's not what you possess that matters, it's rather Who possesses you. That is at the heart of what Jesus is talking about today in the story we are going to examine together. It is recorded in the gospel of Luke chapter 12 verse 13. "Someone in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.'" Apparently the issue here is that this is a younger brother. The tradition in Jesus day is the oldest brother got a double inheritance. The younger brother here apparently wants more. Jesus sees into the man's soul. He understands that this is a question not about fairness, this is a question of greed. And so Jesus replies, verse 14, "'who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?' Then he said, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.' This is a powerful truth. You can have it all, but if your heart's not right with God you've got nothing. Jesus seeing right into the heart of this young man says, "Be on guard about greed." I have to believe those words apply to you and me as well, don't you? The Lord understands how easily we can begin focusing on stuff instead of Him. So then Jesus taught the Parable Of The Rich Man. A man focused on himself and all that he had, but the end of this parable shares God saying, "You fool, this very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have stored up for yourself?" And now is the realization that it's not me, me, me, it's God, God, God. We are to be rich in God. God is not saying it's wrong to have stuff. God's not saying things are evil. What God is saying is that you can have everything the world has to offer, but if you do not have a relationship with the Living God, you have nothing that lasts. He wants us to seek the riches that really matter. We are to seek His kingdom because with Him we have everything! Without Him we have nothing. No matter what our circumstances, when we know the living God we are spiritually rich!! Where do we find spiritual wealth, where do we find riches that last, where do we store up riches in heaven, Where do we find true riches. The answer: in Jesus, the Living God! What are the truths about spiritual riches: 1. His Word (it brings true wealth and genuine riches). 2. His Presence (God knows what we are going through. He is near to us, close at hand and when we live with that knowledge, we are rich). We are rich when we know the Living God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are created to live in relationship with God. 3. His Son (a richness that comes through the Son). Paul wrote about this from prison. He knew what it was like to suffer, but he also knew what it is like to have abundant joy and true riches. In Philippians 4:19, he says the following, "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." In the Lord Jesus Christ there are genuine riches. In the Lord Jesus Christ there is true wealth. In the Lord Jesus Christ no matter the circumstances of your life or mine, there is abundance, abundant life. That's what Jesus gives. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it in abundance. In Christ there is true richness. There is real wealth. There is wealth that lasts. Your stock portfolio may be doing well but tomorrow it could take a hit. Your bank account may be fine right now, but tomorrow the bank could collapse. There is only one thing that endures no matter what is going on in the world around us, and that is the very Word and Presence, the very Son of the living God. That is where real wealth is found. There is nothing in this world more important than knowing the living God through Jesus, our Savior. It's true for me. It's true for you. Don't run the risk of being a fool. Don't persist in foolishness. Hear the voice of the Son of the living God, and understand that those who are rich in Him have something that truly lasts. God is good. He is faithful and He keeps His promises. It's just that simple, but it's also that profound. https://www.awakeusnow.com The Parables of Jesus is part two of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Jesus is known for telling some of the greatest stories ever told. In telling these stories He uses the form of a parable which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus' parables resonate in every culture and in every generation around the world. This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.