Luke 12:13-21 NLT
[13] 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.” [16] 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.”
Good Morning!
You’ve heard the saying that “he who dies with the most toys wins.” Well, that could not be further from the truth, according to God’s Word. Jesus clearly tells us to not be bogged down with things of this world, but to lay up our treasures in heaven. This world is temporary and the “stuff” we work so hard for has no permanency. We will leave this earth as we entered it — naked, only we can pay things forward to build up our treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
[19] “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.
When we commit our lives to our Savior and truly decide to live for the cause of Christ, following the instructions given to us by The Lord Himself, we have an obligation to live generously and give freely. Jesus tells us that it is more of a blessing to give than it is to receive. This is not just a statement, but a promise spoken out of the very mouth of our Savior. When we do this and truly give out of the goodness of our hearts, God will bless us in return.
Acts 20:35 NLT
[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.'”
How To Get Rich
I think if you were to ask people of wealth if they are rich, most would say yes, according to their bank accounts, but no in every other aspect of their lives. Being rich is not achieving wealth, but having relationships.
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”
― Jim Carrey
The answer that Jim Carrey is speaking of is only found with relationships starting with, first and foremost, having a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we have a rich relationship with God (Luke 12:21), then all of the other relationships in our lives are improved. It doesn’t happen overnight, but when we live according to the Biblical principles, with love and good works, our relationships transform into the way that God meant them to be.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
[24] Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. [25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.
James 1:19-21 NLT
[19] Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. [20] Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. [21] So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
[13] But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
God put us on this earth to have relationships. He calls us to love Himself first and then to love our neighbor as ourselves (everyone else). Jesus said that every law hangs on these two commands. You can see here how much emphasis that Jesus puts on relationships. Alone we are faced with life challenges that will easily defeat us, but with other people standing with us, to build us up, help us, carry us, care for us and pray with us, we not be easily broken. Charles Dickens tells it so well — old Scrooge was a very wealthy man, yet alone in his misery. When he changed heart and embraced the relationships around him, he became a truly rich man.
Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
[37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
When we put these principles in place in our lives, the riches of the world will never compare to the riches that heaven has to offer. Our true richness comes from the relationships forged during this journey of life and the treasures we pay forward into the next life.
Stand on the promises of God and your life will be richer than you could have ever imagined. Be generous in all you do and you will see God’s generosity fall on your life.
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad