Materialists Beware – Part 1
Jesus’ teachings call us to examine our lives. In Luke 12, Jesus tells the story of the rich fool who was too materialistic in his thinking.
Materialism Cannot Satisfy
In Luke chapter 12 verse 15, the Lord Jesus made this penetrating observation:
“take heed and beware of coveteousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
In other words, no matter how much stuff we stuff your souls with, it can never satisfy our inner being. Materialists, beware. That which is material can never satisfy, only that which is immaterial can. Things that are temporal only temporarily last. The things that are eternal satisfy in this life and carry promise in the life to come.
The Rich Fool
The parable Jesus told to illustrate this truth was the parable of the man whose ground yielded plentifully. This man thought within himself,
“What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? So he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater barns, and there I will store all my crops and all my goods, and I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Luke 12:17-20).
The Lord Jesus concluded His parable by saying,
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Jesus Had Few Possessions
While many of us are tempted by and attracted to a life of ease, the Lord Jesus was not. His life did not consist in His possessions, for He had none. He fully practiced what He preached. He showed us how to live. At the end of His life the clothes on His back were His only possession.
At the end of the day, each man went to his own house but the Lord went to the Mount of Olives. The Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head. We read in Luke chapter 8 verse 3 that many of the women who followed with Him were providers to Him out of their own goods and possessions.
Where Is Your Treasure?
The Lord showed us by His personal example how to live simply and humbly, having nothing to do with chasing riches or amassing a fortune. He knew that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. His treasure was in His relationship with His Father.
Truly the Lord Jesus lived the words we often sing: “Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise, Thou my inheritance now and always.” While others may have spent their time polishing their trinkets and toys and building their cardboard kingdoms, the Lord Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to revel and rest in the richness of His relationship with His Father.
To read part 2, click here.
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Shane Johnson
Shane Johnson has been commended from Bethel-Park Bible Chapel since 1999. He resides in Brantford, Ontario with his wife Shelly and his five children.
He has his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in History. His passions are teaching children, inspiring young people, writing, music and playing soccer.
Shane is a regular contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio through his programs entitled “Christ Up Close,” “Raising Fathers,” and “Proverbs – Wisdom For Fools.“
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