Jim Gallagher

Luke 12:13
“Then one from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.'”

Jesus tells the story of a rich man who believed true life was found in great possessions. He worked hard and was very successful. His success caused him to evaluate his life. His conclusion, he needed to work harder so he might acquire more, and be able to retire in comfort. He began to increase his efforts, acquire more, build larger storehouses for all his possessions. All the while, hoping for that time when he would be able to live at ease and enjoy it all. Sadly and expectedly, he died and all of his riches were of no use to him as he stepped into eternity.”

Jesus describes him as a “Fool!” because “. . . he laid up treasure for himself, but was not rich toward God.”

This story is valuable because it is so common. It seems that our culture could be described as those who are laying up treasure and yet are not rich toward God. There is a constant push all around us to get more. More wealth means more comfort, more enjoyment, even more life. Meanwhile, we neglect storing up treasures where it really matters.

How about you? Are you rich toward God? Are you making investments into eternity? We do that by using our earthly treasures to further the kingdom of God. It has been said,  we can see what matters to a person by looking at their checkbook. Some of us object and say, “But I am not rich, I don’t have any extra.” It seems to me,  the rich tend to trust in riches, the poor tend to look to others for help, the middle class tends to strive to maintain the comfort level they have achieved for themselves and their families. To all of us, Jesus says the same thing

“Life does not consist of the abundance of things we possess.”

He is a fool who “Lays up treasures for himself but is not rich toward God.”

“Don’t worry about your life… Life is more than food and the body more than clothing.”

“Your Father knows the things that you need.”

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.”

“Where your treasure is your heart will be also.”

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Let’s be those who are rich toward God

Pastor Jim