Reflecting on Luke 12:13-21“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)
What does it mean to be rich toward God?
Paul describes God as “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4).
James urges believers to be “rich in faith” (James 2:5).
In each case it means to have an abundance of something.
An abundance of mercy, of faith, and presumably of love.
This is not just towards God, but towards all that is God’s.
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17)
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” (1 John 4:20)
“Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:21)
Jesus is warning us about a misdirected life, not living for love!
We were made to love God and others; living any other way leads to misery and death.
Our pursuit of comfort, greatness, pleasure and abundance is deadening our souls.
Like the man in this parable, we will end up losing all we thought we gained.
Those who invest themselves in loving God and people will inherit God’s abundance!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, it is not the one who has the most in the end that wins, but the one that loves the most. You and Your love wins, and I can share in Your victory by being rich in kindness, mercy, generosity, compassion, patience, etc. Make me rich... in this way!
Today’s reading reminded me of the following hymn:
1. We give thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.
2. May we thy bounties thus
as stewards true receive,
and gladly, as thou blessest us,
to thee our first fruits give.
3. To comfort and to bless,
to find a balm for woe,
to tend the lonely in distress
is angels’ work below.
4. The captive to release,
to God the lost to bring,
to teach the way of life and peace,
it is a Christlike thing,
5. and we believe thy word,
though dim our faith may be:
whate’er for thine we do, O Lord,
we do it unto thee.
All I need to do is living for Jesus and He will show me the Way.