If any of us own an NIV Bible - this is what the heading says:
The Parable of the Rich Fool
v13-21
Do Not Worry
v22-34
But like all little headings that people put to supposedly make things easier for us, there is very little reason to actually think what Jesus is trying to explain here. Not that the headings are outright wrong, just that it might mislead us to think that Jesus is talking about 2 disconnected things. The study(materials) being focused on the latter half (12:22-34) would be much more helpful if it took into account the context.
As we read the Bible, it is remember that there is a context of what is spoken, such that one verse we would like to quote is consistent with the rest of the chapter, and the rest of the book, and is consistent with the theology of the whole Bible. It is funny how we read a Bible. We pick a few lines in the middle of the book, and then tell a story or give a lesson with little regard of how the rest of the book looks like. We don't even do that to secular story books - we don't start in the middle of the novel do we? But that is what we often do with the Bible.
Getting back to the Luke studies on discipleship; Before anybody thinks I say this of myself, I will just use one line to indicate why it was taken out of context, therefore if taken into account, would be much more helpful in the Bible study.
Luke 12:22
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
The verse starts with "Then"..."Therefore"...
If we are too quick to label it as "Do Not Worry" then we will just pick it up from "Then" and "Therefore" without remembering those words are actually connecting some very important ideas from before. Jesus was saying something pretty important - Therefore something else.
Before we proceed to study the passage, it would be helpful therefore to read at least Luke 12:13-34 to have an idea in what context Luke 12:22-34 is in.
A simple break down of ideas of the passage is this (there is no right answer, just like the headings that comes with your Bible, they may be helpful, they may not be - we have to be careful):
v13
Somebody asks Jesus to divide his inheritance
v14-21
Jesus tells a story about a greedy man's life that is self-centered
v22-28
Jesus illustrates to his disciples not to worry of their lives and body following Him
v29-34
Jesus teaches his disciples to be God-centered instead
As we look at the passage over again - let us notice 3 verses that would be very helpful to help us put a "frame" around the whole study.
Luke 12:21
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
and
Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The first chunk talks about a heart that is centered on "store(ing) up things for himself", which is exactly the opposite of "being rich toward God". Rather, see how Jesus comes up with a conclusion that is the exact opposite of that?
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor" and store "treasure in heaven"
If I may paraphrase it, it is "store NOT up things for yourself, but be rich towards God"
The story begins with a picture of a self-centered man who ends up in God's judgement, and ends with Jesus words to his disciples which receives commendation from God:
Luke 12:32
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
The first idea that is important to note is this:
Who is Jesus speaking to when
1. He was telling the story of the rich fool
2. He was telling "do not worry"
From Luke 12:13-16 we see that Jesus is talking to a crowd. But from Luke 13:22, we see that He is talking to a group of disciples only. There are always crowd following Jesus everywhere; but let us not be confused between "people who just follow Jesus wherever He goes", with "people who truly follows Jesus in their hearts".
The latter group is who Jesus is speaking to the disciples. Disciples look to their Master. But what kind of Master is Jesus?
If some of us did the "commitment" study a week or some weeks before, we remember Jesus said in just a few chapters before
Luke 9:57-58
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Such is it like following Jesus 2000 years ago. Jesus is somewhat homeless, and nobody would be surprised that a homeless person would have to worry about food and clothing. But here is Jesus, "homeless" so to speak. Of course His disciples should worry!
Imagine going to work one day in a so-called multinational company - and you see your boss cycling to work in an old bicycle. You would be terribly worried if he is actually going to pay you- and brother, I would worry together with you!
Such is the context as we read Luke 12:22-34. A bunch of disciples who follows a poor Master - but the poor Master is really Christ the King! Jesus comforts His disciples using illustrations from nature - birds and lilies which are worth so little and and such a short lifespan - Jesus assures the disciples they are worth much more, there is no doubt God will care for their very needs. What sort of loving king would neglect His subjects? The earthly kings may do so, but not our Heavenly Father.
Here, let us be extra careful of the context - missing it is to miss everything altogether. The reason why I think this is very important is the misuse of these verses too often.
What happens when e have an exam to pass ? we claim the verse "Do not worry, God will give these things to you". But what is that verse in context? "Seek first God's Kingdom, and all these things shall be added to you!". Funnily, we interpret it as "going to CG one day before my exams is seeking God's Kingdom". While seeking God's Kingdom may reflect in that - that is a "blind faith leap" of Scripture interpretation. Remember who Jesus is talking to - and what was it about?
While praying for exams and a promotion are perfectly alright, let us firstly not take a verse out of context to meet our immediate needs. While God DOES meet our needs, we have to really "stretch our faith" to believe that God has in his main agenda in Jesus preaching that "we may get good grades and get a good paying job to support our never ending desire for a more comfortable life".
On the contrary, we have to be very careful, for Jesus warns us that a heart centered on such things(self centered things) calls for judgement. Look at the rich fool! He has so much crops that instead of giving them away, he tears down his smaller barns to build bigger ones to store his crops! What is a modern day equivalent?
Know people who shift homes from the middle lot of the road, to the first lot (the semi D which is about 300 square feet larger) along the same road because they just got a promotion?
Remember changing cars unnecessarily "to just get a cooler car" even though the older one served you well and you have no need of another?
Remember how we just go SHOPPING! for things we do not need - when we could use the money better to give them away to "the poor and store up treasure in heaven"?
At this point, please indulge in this part where I really admire Pastor Daniel a lot. He lives in the same house for many years, he drives the same Wira for many years. He spends less so that he can contribute to the needs of the Gospel, both local and international.
Take a look around, many pastor of mega churches take huge salaries out of the weekly contributions of the members. They drive big cars, and preach that "God seeks to make us all healthy, wealthy, wise and everything nice!" It is always Malachi - put more into the offering box and God will bless you richly! Always. No doubt, they live up to it - and they lead many people into such erroneous understanding of Scripture.
Not to distract our focus, but Jesus is the One, who for our sakes - "became poor so that we may be rich". And we would be His disciples if we followed in His footsteps.
There are just a million examples of a heart that seeks to "store things to himself" and "give the remaining bits" to God that we may glorify ourselves to insult Him. But here, Jesus tells a story of judgement for such hearts. But as for a heart that seeks God's Kingdom above all, Jesus assures us that we have no need to worry. God Himself has an active hand in providing for us.
The application questions
The question then for us is this - where is our heart? Do we set our hearts to store treasure on earth or treasure in heaven? Do we love? - and it is most importantly shown whether we share the Gospel.
Saved souls is definitely the one thing that no "thief can steal" nor "moth can destroy"...
Every other thing, education, reputation, status, economy, politics - while essential to living on earth as they are(and yes they are) - such are things that will one day come to nothing.
While in the text, Jesus does say very practical outworking of what a Kingdom-centered life is like in 12:32-34. Jesus is ultimately talking about a matter of the heart. Greed is a matter of the heart.
While Jesus does talk about greed in monetary terms, Jesus did mention "all kinds of greed" in 12:15 - this is a matter of the heart.
Before our hands can change, our heart needs to change. And Jesus is not talking about an emotional change - it is about being Kingdom-centered instead of self-centered. Such a change of the heart calls for prayer, and a change of our mind. For God will judge the greedy self-centered person (it is one and the same), but those who seek the Kingdom - Jesus assures that the Father is happy to give it to us, and we have no worries in this life, for God feeds us, and we lay for ourselves treasure in heaven.
Let us pray
Dear Heavenly Father, you are the Creator of the Universe - the cattle on a thousand hills belong to you. You who are rich - You who lives in heaven where there are streets of gold, where the adoration of angelic beings surround you all day long; Even Jesus who lives there, has willingly come down - obeying You.
Jesus for our sakes, came to be poor, and suffer, being insulted and rejected by sinful men like us - Jesus came to die for our sins - that we may no longer be rebels living in God's world, but to repent of our sins and live righteously for God. While we were still powerless, Christ died for us. We have nothing to claim to merit our salvation or sanctification, but the Holy Spirit alone are able to make Your Love in us effective. Help us God, not to be under the influence of this world, but by your Spirit - help us be holy, to realize that your Kingdom is worth above everything, that our hearts might set its sight on heaven, and not on earth - not on things that will one day pass away.
Teach us O Lord, to use our finances, our time, and our efforts for your Kingdom, lead us not into temptation, to hoard things for ourselves - but learn that we are but stewards of Your resources who will one day be called before the Judgement Throne for an account. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
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