Pastor Scott Andrews | November 16, 2025
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Luke 12:13-21
If there is a message especially suited for the American church, the text before us today is certainly, at least one of them. You see, the truth is, in most churches across our country, I can be fine to live my life however I want Monday through Saturday – as long as I show up on Sunday and wear a spiritual mask for an hour or so. Of the 168 hours in the week – God gets one, I get the rest. It’s a pretty good deal. I can even call myself a Christian – which means a follower of Christ.
And it’s not just time – it’s everything about us – our families, our jobs, our hobbies, our resources, our possessions – our past, our present, and our future. We can pull it together for an hour and appear invested in the kingdom of God – even in Jesus and His gospel, but pull out of the church parking lot, and many leave it all behind until next week. We drop off the Bible in its weekly resting place, knowing we can pick it up next Sunday morning – it will be there, because we left it there. We may say grace before meals, but that’s the extent of our prayer lives. We may even occasionally write a check and drop it in the offering plate or wherever such funds are collected. After all, the average evangelical gives about 4% of their income to God and His church – His work. But I get the 96%. It’s a pretty good deal.
If you’re visiting with us this morning, you may be thinking about now – of course he’s going to talk about money, because that’s what churches do. Not here – I’m teaching verse by verse through a book of the Bible like I always do – in this case, the Gospel of Luke. And we’re going to find in Luke 12 Jesus talking about money – at least our resources. He’s going to suggest that the way we handle our resources – our money, our possessions – is a barometer of our spiritual lives. And we might just find that tipping God with our time and resources – an hour a week, and an occasional check in the offering – might not cut it. The truth is, God wants everything you’ve got. He’s not interested in our tips.
I’m not interested in your tips – I’m not even interested in you emptying your banks accounts and transferring the funds to the church accounts. No, that’s not the point. I’m genuinely concerned that God wants everything, and we’ve somehow convinced ourselves that occasional church attendance, even membership, is satisfying.
This is yet another challenging text today. Jesus seemed to do that rather regularly. And so, before we read the text, I want to pray. Would you join me?
Our heavenly Father, we pray right now, not because we’re supposed to during this hour, not even just because we get to, but because we must. We recognize our total dependence upon You. You created us perfectly in Your image, to be relationship with You. You gave that first couple in the garden one command they could not keep. And we’ve been unable to keep Your commands ever since. We’ve lived in sinful rebellion against Your lordship in our lives, even though living with You as Lord would be best for us. Having rebelled, we have lived sinful, self-centered lives ever since.
But while therefore deserving Your wrath, You loved us anyway and did something about our sinful brokenness. You sent Your Son, the One You love, who lived a perfect life, to die not for His own sins since He had none, but to die for ours. And by simple faith in Jesus and His cross-work and resurrection, we can be saved, redeemed, reconciled to You. And by the subsequent indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit, You call us to a life of total surrender and commitment. You want and even deserve the other 167 hours. And so my prayer today is that, through this text, we would be reminded that eternity awaits, and we want to be found faithfully and fully committed to You. We are entirely dependent on You today, and every day. Forgive us for believing we can reduce discipleship to one hour a week. So, meet with us in a special way this morning. Awaken hearts to the reality of the eternal goodness and joy of being in a vibrant, vital relationship with You. In Jesus name, amen.
Jesus has been teaching His disciples. He’s on a six-month journey to Jerusalem where He will be betrayed, arrested, misjudged, mistreated, and receive the unjust sentence of death by crucifixion. He knows this – He’s been telling His disciples what awaits Him when they arrive in the city one last time. And so, He has turned His attention to His disciples, His followers to prepare them for His departure, and the inevitable opposition they will face.
Yes, it’s true there are crowds of people following for what they could get – thousands of them are there to overhear His words. Jesus has just finished giving a stunning message to His disciples that the crowds no doubt overheard: fear God, confess the Son, and trust the Holy Spirit. And it’s like, message over, just finished singing Just As I Am, closing prayer or benediction, the crowds are leaving for the day – time for lunch, back to their real lives – and we read these words in Luke 12:13-21.
Yes, this is a challenging text, because if we’re honest, it hits way too close to home. Many, most even, spend their lives pursuing stuff, saving for retirement years so we can kick up our feet, eat, drink and be merry; to quote John Piper, collect sea shells, not remembering there will come a day when God will say, it’s time to give an account of all I have given you, all I have done for you. This life, James says, is just a vapor – here one day, gone the next. Eternity awaits. Are you ready, or have you been deceived by this prosperous culture? Let me give you the outline:
- The Man’s Request for Justice [or at least his inheritance] (13)
- Jesus’ Response (14-15)
- Jesus’ Illustrative Parable (16-20)
- Jesus’ Application (21)
So again, Jesus has just finished a hard-hitting, yet encouraging sermon, and as they file out on their way to Cracker Barrel, one stops and says, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” The Law of Moses gave specific instructions regarding the distribution of an inheritance. For example, the older brother always received the most, the younger the least. In this case, the father has apparently passed away, and most surmise the older brother was withholding the younger brother’s share. If so, this younger brother wants what’s coming to him and asks Jesus to intervene. But notice, he doesn’t actually seek justice – he just asks for money – he doesn’t seem concerned about the conflict – it’s just, I want my money.
Even this was normal at the time. Notice, he calls Jesus teacher or rabbi, which was more than a term of respect. You see, it was expected that teachers who knew the Law of Moses would act as judges, mediators interpreting the Law, in such cases. This case. And sometimes, even in families, mediation is necessary, especially when it comes to the will. We’ve all heard it – some of you have even experienced it – the family squabble for the inheritance rightly due you. It divides families, as if inheritance is more important than relationship.
Jesus’ response? It’s actually rather harsh, “Man [that’s meant to be just as it sounds – a bit pejorative] Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Several of my commentaries suggested Jesus was saying, “I did not come to distribute property, I came to distribute eternal life to those who would believe. Why are you concerned about stuff?” Eternity awaits.
Then He said to them, at least to His disciples, but probably all who were listening, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” You mean, the man who dies with the most toys doesn’t win? Beware, look out for, be on your guard against every form of greed – the word could be translated covetousness. Now typically, when we hear of greed, we minimize it. The fact is, we tend to maximize those sins with which we have little struggle, and minimize those sins with which we do struggle. Let’s be honest – few, especially in the church, struggle with the big sins, like homosexuality or abortion – we’ve steered clear of those, so they make the top our most sinful lists. Greed and pride – while universally condemned in Scripture, barely get an honorable mention on the list. Of course, we know that pride was in part responsible for the first sin in the garden – desiring to be like God, they ate the forbidden fruit.
But greed – well, that’s built into the American fabric. It’s found its way into advertising – marketing – you deserve the best, the finest, the most expensive. Why, it’s even found its way into the American church – the idea of prosperity for all. But consider these stunning verses:
Ephesians 5:3 – But immorality or any kind of impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. (How in the world can this verse be in the Bible and coexist with the prosperity gospel, which is pure greed?)
Colossians 3:5 – Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Wait, what? How is greed idolatry? Well, an idol is simply defined as the controlling center of your life, anything that becomes more important to you than God – anything becomes the highest on your list of priorities. When the acquisition of stuff, wealth, possessions become so important that it takes the place of God, it is indeed idolatry. When you hold on tightly to stuff, Paul calls it idolatry. Greed is a violation of the tenth commandment – do not covet – anything that your neighbor has. And then we read these startling words in I Corinthians 6:
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Wait, are you saying that if I pursue the American dream that I’m not a Christian – that I won’t go to heaven? Not if it is a pursuit that can label you as covetous, greedy, and therefore an idolator. This is my concern for us today, and I haven’t even gotten to the parable. Paul also said this in I Timothy 6:
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. [you see, contentment is the opposite of greed. It was Ben Franklin who once asked, “Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.”]
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. [The Jewish Talmud says a man is born with his hands clenched, but he dies with them wide open. He comes into the world trying to grasp everything he can, but whatever he manages to acquire, when he leaves, he leaves empty-handed.]
8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
What a sad commentary on the American culture. I think you get the idea – the Scripture is full of warnings against greed – the love of money and always wanting more. But Jesus says, not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions. You are not what you own out here – you are who you are in here. The word abundance speaks of having more than enough – super abundance. That’s not life, and it certainly doesn’t prepare you for eternity. After all, as Job and Paul said, we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out.
Which brings us to our third point where Jesus launches into a parable to illustrate His point. And I’m suggesting the parable lays bare the American way of life and its view of personal wealth. What’s interesting to note is that at the outset of the parable, it seems okay. I used to be in banking, and there doesn’t seem much wrong with what the rich man says and plans – at least through verse 18. To most, it actually looks like a good business plan. Michael reminded me this week that half the verses in the Bible that talk about wealth talk how to acquire it – be wise, work hard, save, invest. But the other half of the verses are quite negative because of its soul-crushing nature.
The land of a rich man was very productive. Which is interesting – while we have developed much technology to improve crop yields, even now, and certainly then, the farmer was dependent on God’s goodness to produce a bumper crop. The right amount of sun and rain, not to mention fewer pests to destroy the crops. God had blessed this man richly – don’t forget that, because the rich man did. Is your personal financial position simply a result of your wise and hard work?
Notice, he began reasoning with himself – no evidence he sought the advice of godly counselors; no evidence he sought the guidance of God. God is nowhere to be found in his business plan. In fact, I want you to notice something – eight times, the rich man uses the word “I,” and four times he uses the words “me” or “my.” It’s all about him.
I have no place to store my crops. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grains and goods. This rich man failed to understand everything he had was actually God’s, a gift from God to be managed. A stewardship. Jesus gave parables all over the gospels that speak of a Master providing talents or gifts or responsibilities to his servants, and then goes away. But the parables go on: the Master will return, and the servants will give an account of how they have handled the Master’s investments – his belongings. We’ll come to some of those parables in Luke.
While the rich man seemed to have a good business plan – planning, saving, preparing – it was totally devoid of God. He even goes on in verse 19 to say, “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” If that is not the description of retirement, I don’t know what is. Now, I’m not suggesting retirement is evil – but it is what we do in retirement, as we are tempted to focus not on God and His purposes, but our own ease and pleasure. Eat, drink, and be merry. Take your ease. Again, to quote John Piper who said, while addressing a conference full of pastors, “I don’t see retirement [that is, from the work of the kingdom – the work of the gospel – the work of the church] in the Bible. What, you want to move to Arizona (Piper is from the west) and chase a little white ball around a field for the last twenty years of your life? What a way to prepare to meet the King.”
I understand we may slow down. I understand that health may prevent full involvement as in years past. But to only seek personal pleasure and not be concerned about God and His purposes – to not love God with heart, soul, mind and strength; to not love your neighbor as yourself is not the way of a follower of Christ. Augustine said of this passage, “The rich man never considered that filling a poor man’s belly was a better investment than filling barns,” which is actually just ultimately filling our own bellies.
One of my commentaries suggest this rich man was self-absorbed, self-indulgent and presumptuous – that is, that had many years left. But that is not the worst that can be said of him. God says of him in verse 20, “You fool.” The book of Psalms says the fool is the one who says in his heart there is no God. Here, we learn to live as if there is no God is to be a fool. Why? Because he had no regard for God, no understanding that his life was a vapor, no understanding that he would one day stand before God and give an account. Eternity awaits.
You fool, God said, this very night your soul is required of you. While the man had stored up his grain and goods for many years to come – that very night, his soul was required. The words are used to speak of a loan being called – it was time to pay his debt. And he was unprepared. God asks the question, now who will own what you have prepared? Because as we saw earlier, you will take nothing with you. At the funeral of a rich man, the question is often asked, how much did he leave? And the answer is always the same, all of it. A Spanish proverb says, there are no pockets in a shroud. Americanized, there are no U-hauls behind a hearse. Job says, naked you came from your mother’s womb, and naked you will depart. Next week, we will learn that you only have what is sent ahead.
Which brings us to our last point – Jesus’ Application of the parable to our lives. Jesus, or Luke – we’re not sure if Jesus said the words in verse 21, or if they are Luke’s application of the parable. But no matter – they are in God’s Word. “So is the man who stores up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.” The negative – if you strive and store up everything for yourself, and are not rich toward God – you will be like this rich man. Your soul will be required, and you will have nothing to show for your life. There is no evidence this man knew Christ. (Zaccheus and the Rich Young Ruler)
So, clearly, Jesus has some strong things to say about living for yourself – about pursuing your own hedonistic pleasures and not considering how you might live to be rich toward God. So let’s close by thinking about that – what would it look like to live a rich life toward God? Philip Ryken had the following excellent points for us to consider:
I am rich toward God when His glory is my highest goal, when His worship is my deepest joy, and when His fellowship is my deepest satisfaction. We remember Piper who said, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
I am rich toward God when I offer all my abilities for His work, without reserve. I am rich toward God when I take the time to serve people in need and give the first portion of everything I get to Christian ministry. In other words, I don’t meet my own needs of pleasure first with my treasure, but recognize it is all His treasure, and therefore joyfully give to see His kingdom advance.
We remember the words of Paul in II Corinthians 9:10, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” Do you see what he’s saying? God give you more so you can invest in His kingdom more, and increase the harvest – the produce of your righteousness.
I am rich toward God when I make the needs of the poor a priority in my financial giving and embrace a simple lifestyle that gives me more freedom for ministry. I am rich toward God when I decide there are some things I can live without so that I will have more to give to people who don not even have the gospel. I am rich toward God when I give and give until all I am and all I have is dedicated to His glory.
We will see this next week when Jesus will tell us things like, seek His kingdom, and all these things – like food and clothing – will be added to you. For where your treasure is, there you hearts will be also.
Remember that passage in I Timothy 6? Paul actually began the thought with these words, “godliness actually is a means of great when accompanied with contentment.” We can actually be godly and content at the same time. We can actually know that what God as provided is for our good, for our growth in godliness, and our contentment. Think about that a minute – we don’t normally think of godliness and contentment going together. But godliness with contentment? I can be godly, but not content. Or I can be content, but not godly. People look at godliness as a load to bear, certainly not a lifestyle to enjoy. And so Christians can be the most unhappy, discontented people around.
That’s because for many, contentment is a matter of the external. The more I have, the more content I’ll be. And Paul is saying true contentment, which is great gain – is a matter of the internal. It is to be found in godliness. Godliness, by the way, is defined as a God-ward attitude that motivates us to do that which is pleasing to God. It’s a life of reverence before and obedience to God. And therein is gain – when accompanied with contentment.
But here’s the problem: contentment speaks of being satisfied with what one has. The word speaks of an inward satisfaction that is independent of outward circumstances. It is the attitude that allows the godly believer to maintain spiritual balance in the midst of favorable, and unfavorable circumstances.
I close with these thoughts. Paul also addressed the issue of godly contentment in Philippians 4. It’s a passage we often quote out of context. There, Paul is incarcerated in Rome, and the Philippians had sent a gift and renewed their care for him. He’s thankful, but says this, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am [he’s writing from prison]. I know how to get along with humble means [meaning, with little], and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. [It doesn’t matter the external circumstances, I’m content. You see,] I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
There’s the verse we often misquote – take it out of context. I can do anything – win this basketball game, jump this building, pass this test, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Actually, the context is, I can find true, godly contentment regardless of my circumstances – whether I’m rich or poor, because I know the secret of contentment – and it’s not external. It is Christ in me, who strengthens me in whatever circumstances I find myself.