God's got this

"Then He said to them, 'Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.'"

Luke 12: 15

In Luke 12:13-34, Jesus is challenged by someone in the crowd wanting Him to settle a dispute with his brother over possessions. Instead of Jesus telling the brothers to split the inheritance or like little children "share with your brother", Jesus tells them a parable to teach them that life is more than possessions and that we should be on guard against greed. The parable also demonstrates that the wealth we accumulate doesn't follow us into eternity. If we spend all of our time focused on financial health and neglect spiritual health, then we may sacrifice eternity with God because we didn't have a relationship with Him. We built the barns, but we missed the blessings and an eternal home in Heaven.

It is easy to look at other people's possessions and think that we are missing out somehow. It is easy to think that "they" have all of this stuff, so they must be greedy. It is really important to turn our thinking inward with regard to this subject. Are we greedy? Maybe we don't have the monetary possessions of someone else, but are stingy with what we do have? Are we so worried about what other people have and belly-aching over what we don't have that we've become greedy with the blessings God has given us?

Jesus goes on to teach that not only should we not be so worried about possessions, we shouldn't be worrying about how we will be sustained physically. He points to the ravens and the lilies. They have what they need to survive. If God is going to take care of them, how much more is He going to take care of you?

Often times this passage is used for sermons on worrying. We separate the worry from the previous verses talking about greed. Could it be that greed is a form of worry? If we are being stingy with our possessions, is that also worrying that God is not going to provide?

Jesus says, "'But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.'" in verse 31.

Jesus says, "'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'" in verse 34.

Should we worry about our money disappearing, no. God promises to take care of us, but He says to seek His Kingdom. Is God going to provide for us if we disregard Him? My thought is no. If we are solely focused on stuff, will our heart be full? Again, I think not.

Stuff isn't going to make us happy. It usually just makes us want more stuff. Stuff isn't going to save us. Only Jesus can do that.

Let's place our trust in Him. Let's refrain from building bigger barns. Let's hold our possessions loosely so that God can do the work in us and through us. Let's put our treasure in Heaven.

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