Kingdom Principle: What would you say is your greatest allegiance? If it is not Jesus, then the things of this world have the potential to rule you. Jesus calls us here to put the things of this earth in proper perspective. Jesus is Lord over all of your earthly allegiances. 

1. The __________________ ____________________ of Wealth

Luke 12:15 (ESV) — 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Jesus does not settle this dispute because it seems that the man approaches Jesus with false motives. His desire is not for justice, his desire is for more. Knowing the man’s heart, he addresses his greed, not his grievance. 

Luke 12:15 (LSB) — 15 Then He said to them, “Watch out 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.” 

Whenever we want more than what the Lord provides we tend to do things that the Lord forbids in order to secure it.

The danger here is thinking that fullness of life is found in a full bank account, when really it is found in a fullness of God. 

Luke 12:16–19 (ESV) — 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 

“When he says, Eat, my soul, and enjoy thyself, there is an emphatic meaning in this Hebrew idiom; 271 for he addresses himself in such a manner as to imply, that he has all that is necessary for gratifying all his senses and all his desires.” 

–John Calvin

1. The _________________ _____________________ of God

Luke 12:33–34 (ESV) — 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

What does it mean to be rich toward God?

If one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions and if we are to do the inverse of that to be rich in God, then the abundance of life consists in having much of Christ.

To be rich toward God is not to be so heavenly minded you are of no earthly good. To be rich toward God is to be of earthly good because you are so heavenly minded.  

Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Make God the Lord of your wealth, and your wealth will never become lord over you. 

Questions to Consider

• In what way has God called us to manage our wealth? 

• What are some things you have prioritized over God’s kingdom? 

• How is this reflected in your finances? 

• In what ways is God calling you to be radically generous and to store up treasures in heaven?