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And He [Jesus] 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.” (Luke 12:15)
Our text today comes from Jesus’ “Parable of the Rich, Young Man,” sometimes known as the “Parable of the Rich Fool.” The Savior’s response above is prompted by a question regarding the division of an inheritance. To this Jesus says beware of greed. Life is not all about the stuff we own.
These are timely words for today, aren’t they? We live in a world of mind-boggling affluence, where dollar signs are attached to everything, where those who have in abundance, have vast sums at their disposal: wealth in the many billions of dollars. But to be clear, we live in a world that has always had a love affair with money.
But it’s not money that’s the problem; it’s not wealth that’s the culprit in so many people’s lives. Rather it’s one’s attitude toward it, one’s drive to acquire and possess it, putting it first before all things, including one’s relationship with God.
Money, my friends, is not the root of all evil. Scripture says it’s the love of money, the love of stuff, the love of anything which displaces God—which overshadows the Savior, which overpowers His grace, which overrides His life-giving intentions for you—that is the root, trunk, branches, and leaves of all evil. After Jesus, the apostle Paul knew this, too. He says in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
But thanks be to God, the Holy Spirit is calling us away from the sinful folly of following money, stuff, or anything that says it can substitute and supersede the Savior, leaving God with our paltry leftovers. Today the Holy Spirit encourages you to look—look at Bethlehem’s lowly manger, look at Calvary’s bloody cross, and the Savior’s empty grave. It’s this God-given faith that turns the tables on the faulty perspective that the world has everything we need. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in the glory in Christ Jesus.”
And how true this is! And how empowering it is to know that in this world where things like money can drive us to greed and despair, there is One who is our true and everlasting wealth. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
Behold and believe in God’s Son—God’s Son who took your place under the Law so that you might have a place in heaven. Trust Him who resisted Satan’s temptations so that you might be given forgiveness and redemption, who died so you might live, who lives so you might never die. By the Holy Spirit’s power, may you be given faith in Jesus Christ, God’s great Gift, your gracious Redeemer.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, by Your Holy Spirit remind us where our true riches lie, in the arms of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. In His Name we pray. Amen.
Based on “Real Riches,” a sermon by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus, former Speaker for The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
- When was the first time you recall that money meant something to you?
- How is the love of money a different idea than just money itself being the root of all evil?
- What do you do to keep money in perspective in your life? How do you not let it become the be-all and end-all?
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