Kingdom Wealth – Part I
Key Verse: Luke 12:21
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God”.
Additional Reading: Luke 12:13-34
As we all know, financial prosperity is a top priority in most American’s lives. That is not evil in and of itself, except for the fact that it is top priority.
In other words, it is not the financial prosperity that is bad, it is the place it takes in a person’s life. As Christ-followers here in this great land, our battle is not so much prosperity but priorities and how to keep money in its right place in our lives. In this devotion and the next couple, we will see what Jesus had to say about this subject and help us correct anything that might be out of place.
In Luke 12:13, Jesus is asked by someone in the crowd to settle a dispute between him and his brother about their father’s estate. Jesus’ answer is concise, He refused to take on a role of judge for this type of transaction and then used the moment as a teachable moment for the rest of the crowd. Jesus gave this warning to all of His listeners: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is note measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15).
Look at this definition of “greed”: intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food” (Oxford Languages). I hope you can see why Christ-followers must beware and guard against this attitude toward money. If you think about how to make more money or how to buy more stuff as a high percentage of time in your day, you probably have a problem with greed.
If you gamble or play the lottery with the thought that you would certainly give 10% of your winnings to the church, be honest enough to see that you are keeping 90% for yourself. Also, don’t ever forget that a lot of people must lose their money so you can be a winner; can you see the selfish aspect of that deal?
The more important lesson from what Jesus told this man is found in the last part of Luke 12:15: “… Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Jesus is saying that people who measure their lives by what they own probably don’t value eternal truths. For those who want Eternal truths, realize that life is never measured by our stuff! The moment anyone steps into their eternity, what Jesus is saying will be understood as absolute truth! Far too many people live life with an attitude that whoever owns the most stuff when they die wins. How sad and mistaken they are, and they will find this out in their first few moments in eternity.
Father, search my heart and see if there are any signs of greed. I want to see and use my money as you would want me to. I ask this in Jesus’s Name, amen.