The Rich Fool

Sermon Notes

[Luke 12:13-15] Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me." [14] Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" [15] Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

Greed isn't about having a LOT; it’s about wanting MORE.

[Luke 12:16-21] Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. [17] He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' [18] Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. [19] And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"' [20] "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?' [21] "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Don't prioritize material WEALTH over spiritual BLESSINGS.

[Ecclesiastes 5:10] Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

The measure of life isn't what we STORE for but what we STAND for.

[Matthew 6:19-21] "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. [21] Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Are we focused on STORING treasure or on SHARING treasure?

The pursuit of wealth will make us SLAVES, but the pursuit of God brings FREEDOM.