Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 19, 2020
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?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God. Luke 12:20-21
How much is enough? The Holy Spirit will lead couples to God’s heart for them in answer to this question. Fear says there is never enough, but faith says the Lord’s provision is enough. This doesn’t mean we don’t plan well, but it does mean that we do not obsess over “building bigger barns”. Instead we place our trust in our large and in charge—-Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The parable Jesus unpacks is packed full of emotion, wisdom and warning. He calls out a prosperous man for his foolishness: shortsightedness, self indulgence and self deception. The productive man deceptively thought he owned his possessions: “my crops, my barns, my grain, myself”. The farmer even missed stating the obvious: the Creator of the soil, his soul, and the harvest, was Almighty God. This foolish man failed to be rich toward God by living for himself.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever” (2 Corinthians 9:8-9).
Am I building my barns bigger? Or, am I building God’s barns better? Jesus, with striking contrast, transitions from two brothers bickering over their inheritance to illustrate a heart of greed. Subtly, wealth can simultaneously focus on the need for stuff—with less of a felt need for God. If I act like I am the owner of my possessions, then the acquisition of more possessions becomes my motivation. But, if I live like the Lord is the owner of my stuff, and I am His steward, then the distribution of His possessions becomes my passion. Generosity starves greed.
As followers of Jesus, if we focus on becoming more like Christ, others will look to learn about following Christ. Being rich toward God is valuing what God values over ourselves.
Here are some questions couples can pray in how to be rich toward God:
What does it mean to be rich toward God? It means to treasure what He treasures: my relationship with Him and others, lost souls, love and compassion for hurting human beings. To be rich toward God is to be rich in good deeds, rich in generosity and rich in relationships.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, inspire and instruct me to be rich toward you, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
How can I grow in making God enough?
Related Reading
1 Chronicles 29:14; Proverbs 3:9, 11:25; Matthew 6:2; Luke 6:30
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