PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 12:13-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed!” (Luke 12:15)
The man here seems to have a legitimate request; he wants his brother to be fair.
Shouldn’t we bring our petitions like this to Jesus, for his help?
Why does Jesus say that he didn’t come to judge between these matters?
Isn’t restoring God’s kingdom also about restoring justice and equity?
Jesus seems to think that the problem lies deeper, deeper than this injustice.
We want Jesus to fix the world around us; Jesus comes to fix us.
We prefer to focus on the problems in others (government, enemies, opponents, etc.)
Jesus looks at each person and focuses on their own issues – regardless of other’s issues.
“‘Lord, what about him?’ ‘What is that to you? You must follow me.'” (John 21:22)
I am sure that “all kinds of greed” may lie behind many of my requests to Jesus.
Not just greed for money… but greed for personal comfort, safety, health and wealth.
How often are we asking Jesus to make us more generous?
Jesus wants me to follow him, and he wants to help me deal with my deeper issues.
Maybe, more often than not, our prayers should not be ‘change them’ but ‘change me!’
PRAYER
Lord, as long as I am denying the deeper sins in my own heart, you cannot help me. Change my heart, Lord.
I’m blessed to be a blessing to others. God invests in me and He is hoping that I will take that investment not for myself but to turn it to bless others. But the key word is that I am doing so willingly – it is part of my heart’s desire and not because it is what I am expected to do as if I’m following a tithing rule. The person with the inheritance can decide what they do – whether sharing or hoarding. I am the same. Yet in the sharing I am sharing as if to God – what I do to others is like doing to Jesus. Help me Lord to seek opportunities to bless others! Check my selfish ways!
‘one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’ and yet what do we/I strive for? At the thrift store people drop of goods – even gods that have never been opened or used and then enter the store to buy more. Stuff does not bring happiness. Stuff is not the treasure I seek. The heart is the place of desire, longing, focus, will. The thing we set our heart on is our highest treasure. Jesus must be the treasure I seek.
Riches beyond all measure – could never satisfy my heart.
Even the greatest pleasure – only gratifies in part
All that this world can offer – could never compare to all you are
You are my greatest treasure, the desire of my heart