It's a heart thing

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.”

Can you imagine having so much that you can’t contain it all and  instead if blessing others with the excess, you built larger barns to  hoard even more?

No one knows what tomorrow brings. Only God does. He knows what we need today and what we will need for the future.

Luke 12:22-29 Then,  turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to  worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough  clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look  at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for  God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? 27 “Look  at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their  clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as  they are. 28 And if God  cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the  fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so  little faith?29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.

This is NOT a prosperity message. It’s NOT a name it or claim it message. NOR is it a “God want’s me poor” message.

IT’S A HEART MESSAGE!

Luke 12:30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.

Sure, it’s good to earn a wage.

Sure, it’s good to pay your bills.

Sure, it’s good to plan for your children’s education.

Sure, it’s good to feed the poor.

Sure, it’s good to give to other.

Sure, it’s good to help further the kingdom of God.

It’s good to do these things. It’s good to have compassion for others. It’s good to be responsible and provide for your family.

But, it’s not good to do these things out of FEAR, PRIDE, SELFISHNESS, and GREED.

Luke 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

There will always be other things (the "else" stuff) in our lives  like, bills the future, helping others, etc. that will try to occupy our  thoughts, but God asks us to seek Him first above the "all else". He  wants us to know that He will provide and that He will give direction.

It's when we don’t seek God first above all else, that we begin to act out of fear, pride, selfishness, and ultimately greed.

FEAR is not having faith in God’s promises and provision

FEAR is taking matters into our own hands.

FEAR is focussing on the need and problem, rather than focussing on God.

FEAR is leaning on our own understanding to solve the need.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

PRIDE is marvelling at your own ability, when it’s God who gives you the ability and the opportunity.

PRIDE is thinking you have full control, when it’s God who orders your steps.

PRIDE is esteeming yourself and your situation higher than others.

PRIDE is taking all the glory, rather than giving it all to God.

Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Romans 12:3 Because of the privilege and authorityGod has given me, I give each of  you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be  honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the  faith God has given us.

Proverbs 3:7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

SELFISHNESS is not wanting to share with others.

SELFISHNESS is saying I worked hard for this, get your own.

SELFISHNESS is saying, I only have enough for me.

1 John 3:17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or  sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that  person?

1 Corinthians 10:24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

Acts 20:35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by  working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is  more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Mark 12:31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

GREED is always wanting more.

The heart question is “why do we always want more?”

The answers are because of fear, pride and selfishness.

We become GREEDY because we FEAR God won’t come through for us, so we keep storing up.

We become GREEDY because we have PRIDE in all the things we have and like how the world views us.

We become GREEDY because we are SELFISH in thinking there is never enough to share.

There is never a right reason for GREED.

Luke 12:15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

Matthew 6:19-21  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But  store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do  not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Proverbs 11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Ephesians 5:5 For  of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a  person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and  of God

The parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14:15-24, gives us a great example of this:

18 “But they all alike began to make  excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and  see it. Please excuse me.’

19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

Jesus invites us all to God’s banquet, yet those who FOCUS MORE on their ‘new land”, “new oxen”, and “new love”, will not get to taste of God’s banquet.

Instead, He invites those who are poor, crippled, lame, and blind. He invites those who are prideful, selfish, and greedy.

He invites those who put God “ABOVE ALL ELSE”

Where is your heart?

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from  his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.