Luke 12:13-34

Butler's Comments

SECTION 2

Astuteness in Alertness (Luke 12:13-34)

13 One of the multitude said to him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me. 14But he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or divider over you? 15And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 16And he told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; 17and he thought to himself, -What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?-' 18And he said, -I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.-' 20But God said to him, -Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?-' 21So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said to his disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. 23For this life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? 26If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these, 28But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! 29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. 30For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.

32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:13-21 Foolishness: One of the multitude was very alert. He caught quickly the authoritative manner of Jesus. Jesus had spoken with the presence of a rabbias one who honestly and clearly stood for truth and fairness. When He paused, a man in the crowd ordered Jesus (Gr. eipe, imperative mood verb, Tell!) bid his brother to divide the inheritance with him. The Greek word kleronomia means literally, to portion by lots and is translated, inheritance (cf. Matthew 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 20:14) or birthright (cf. Galatians 4:30; Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 12:17). This man may have been a younger brother, dissatisfied with the handling of his father's estate (cf. Luke 15:11-32). Oftentimes an elder brother, according to Jewish custom, was given a double portion (cf. Deuteronomy 21:15-17). Perhaps this man was being cheated in the division of the family estate. Whatever his complaint, he recognized in Jesus a teacher who would judge fairly. In Jesus-' day it was Jewish practice to have rabbis make civil and judicial decisions. Moses appointed leading men to help him make such judgments at the founding of the nation of Israel (cf. Exodus 18:13-27; Deuteronomy 16:18 ff.). This authority probably passed to the scribes as early as the days of Ezra (cf. Ezra 7:1-28). In orthodox Judaism today a few similar judgments are still made by rabbis.

But this Rabbi will not be drawn into the man's family dispute. Why did Jesus refuse, almost curtly, this opportunity to rectify an apparent injustice? Actually, Jesus provided the only real solution to the man's problem with His subsequent admonition. Jesus refused to make a judgment because:

a.

His primary mission on earth was not to personally judge in social things. He was no social activist. His primary mission was to save, to regenerate the hearts of men.

b.

He refused to make a moral judgment or force a moral action that the individual should make for himself. To do so would violate freedom of the human will and preclude the possibility of moral development of the individual.

c.

He has already spoken about the most important inheritancethe eternal inheritance. Men were neglecting that. Had they given that first priority, they could easily settle all earthly disputes about material things.

d.

He will speak of the heavenly treasure more explicitly. If men will only become true members of the kingdom of God they will treat all men as God intended they should be treated (cf. Matthew 7:12; Colossians 3:16, etc.).

Jesus went right to the heart of the man's problemcovetousness. The Greek text translated literally would have Jesus command the crowds, Be continually on the lookout and guard yourselves from all desires to have more. The Greek word pleonexia is from pleion (more) and echo (to have), and is translated covetousness. Covetousness is the all-consuming desire to have more of something. It is the urge to acquire gone mad, unrestrained, unconcerned with the will of God. It is the attitude that material possessions will satisfy all human needs. Covetousness is called idolatry (Colossians 3:5) because the covetous person worships (depends on) thingsnot the Person, God. One out of every six verses of the Gospels has to do with man and his possessions! That is because acquisition of wealth is the chief ambition of the majority of men. Wealth impresses men with its pseudo-power. Covetousness is probably the chief barrier to man's acceptance of the Lord's philosophy of what life is all about. The Lord's truth about life is this: There is more to life than a material inheritance. Life does not consist (hold-together) in the abundance of material possessions. This life and this world is temporary; the eternal treasure is infinitely more to be desired (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). To illustrate His truth, Jesus told a parable about a farmer God called a fool.

The man Jesus told about was rich but he was a fool. The Greek word translated fool is aphron and means literally, without mind. Someone has defined the word as the lack of commonsense perception of the reality of things natural and spiritualor the imprudent ordering of one's life in regard to salvation. The farmer certainly made serious mental and moral misjudgment about the priorities of life.

a.

His life centered in himself. Twelve times in five verses, I, My and Mine appear in this tiny tragedy, The Greek text translated literally would stress his self-centered ego even more.

b.

He thought to feed his soul on things. He exchanged truth, generosity, conscience, love and helpfulness for things. He made earth and its riches his business so completely, heaven and spirituality would have bored him.

c.

In seeking a way to deal with his prosperity he reasoned with his natural inclinations and did not seek God's word on the subject. Even the Old Testament could have given him divine guidance in proper use of his wealth.

Someone has rightly observed, This parable shows an honest man in the act of being executed by his own estate. It was where he thought it came from and what he did with it that made him forfeit his life for it. Jesus did not say that the possession of wealth was wrong; it was the wrong use of it that He condemned. It is all right for a man to possess thingsbut not right for things to possess a man.

Covetousness is the desire for the wrong things. Men are not to covet their neighbor's possessions (Exodus 20:17). Christians are to seek and to rejoice at the gain of a neighbor like we would at our own gain (Romans 12:15; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 10:33; 2 Corinthians 12:15). Men are not to desire worldly possessions for their own sake to the neglect of higher things. Men are not to desire worldly possessions for their own use only, for ... those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9). The love of money is the root of all evils. (1 Timothy 6:10):

a.

It caused Judas to betray Christ, lose his life, his self-respect and his eternal soul (John 12:4-6; Matthew 26:14-16).

b.

It caused Ananias and Sapphira to lie to God and receive sudden death (Acts 5:1-11).

c.

It caused Achan to steal at Jericho and all Israel to be defeated at Ai, and for it he and his family were destroyed (Joshua 7:1 ff.).

d.

It caused a young man to reject Christ and to go away sorrowful (Mark 10:17-22).

e.

It caused some to teach things they ought not (Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

f.

It caused some to turn God's house into a house of merchandise (John 2:14-15) and a den of robbers (Matthew 21:12-13).

g.

It caused Elisha's servant to lie, and to be made a leper (2 Kings 5:22-27).

h.

It caused Saul to disobey God who gave him victory in war (1 Samuel 15:9-23), and for it Saul was rejected.

i.

It is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10); including murder (Ezekiel 22:12), and many foolish and hurtful lusts (1 Timothy 6:9).

j.

It is the cause of domestic troubles (Proverbs 15:27).

k.

It causes some to be led astray from the faith (1 Timothy 6:10).

l.

It causes some to be pierced through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).

There is great gain in godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6). The man of God (every Christian) must shun all covetousness (1 Timothy 6:11), because covetousness:

a.

Chokes the word of God in many hearts and causes the life to be unfruitful (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19).

b.

Robs God (Malachi 3:7-10).

c.

Neglects the needy (1 John 3:17).

d.

Leaves many unevangelized, to die without God and without hope; it defies the great commission.

e.

Will drive the love of God out of our hearts (Luke 16:13).

f.

Makes a man unfit to be an overseer in the church (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).

g.

Is not to be tolerated and overlooked in one that is named a brother, but to be rebuked and corrected (1 Corinthians 5:10-13).

h.

It is mentioned in the N.T. as among the worst of sins (Ephesians 5:3; 2 Timothy 3:2).

i.

Is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

j.

Will damn the soul (1 Corinthians 6:10; Luke 16:19-31).

k.

Is certainly unnecessary and unfitting for a follower of Christ (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:5-6; Philippians 4:11-19).

1.

Consider: Balaam (Numbers 22:1-41; Numbers 23:1-30; Numbers 24:1-25; Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14; Jude 1:11); and Ahab (2 Kings 21:1-26).

As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God. (1 Timothy 6:17). Covetousness or the desire to be rich with this world's goods is foolishness in the light of eternity. Every man and woman fares the certainty of death. Of course, if there is no life after death, then we should eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32). However, the certainty of life after death has been established historically and empirically by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Therefore, we ought to come to our right mind and sin no more (1 Corinthians 15:34), realizing that sooner or later, our soul will be required of us. We brought nothing into this world, neither can we carry anything out of this world (1 Timothy 6:7). What then is the point in devoting all our time, energy and capabilities to accumulating things of this world? This world's goods certainly are not an end in themselves. The only reason for worldly possessions is that through them a man might serve the Lord by serving his fellow man! To accumulate worldly possessions for any other reason is foolishness!

We may even covet (be greedy for more) time. Christians must use time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5; John 9:4). We are not to covet the past (Luke 9:62); we are not to covet the future (Matthew 6:34); now is the time with which we are to be concerned (2 Corinthians 6:2). How we invest our time in the bank of eternity will determine the dividends of the future. Every person has the same twenty-four hours, Time comes indiscriminately and simultaneously to every inhabitant of earth. We may covet time by spending it mostly on ourselves, or we may be rich toward God with it by spending it in His service by serving others. Time is a possessiontime is a stewardship!

Being rich is never condemned by the Lordnor even growing richer. Poverty does not necessarily insure righteousness. The man is a fool who is not rich toward God whatever his financial situation in this life may be. How is one to conquer covetousness and be rich toward God?

a.

Believe that what God's word says about it is right and to be obeyed!

b.

Pray that you enter not into temptation.

c.

Give generously, cheerfully and systematically to the Lord's church (2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; 1 Chronicles 29:6-19; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, etc.).

d.

Invest your time and money in people by helping their needs (Luke 16:9; James 1:27; James 2:1-26; 1 John 4:7-21; Hebrews 13:1-6).

e.

Be content with what you have (Luke 3:14; Philippians 4:11 ff.; 1 Timothy 6:7; Hebrews 13:5).

Luke 12:22-34 Faithfulness: The Greek word for anxious is merimna and is probably connected with merizo which means, to draw in different directions, to be distracted. The anxious person is one who is mentally tossed to and fro like a leaf in the wind. The anxious person is one who rides an emotional roller-coasterup and down, up and down. Anxiety is a result of divided loyalty. Covetousness is really at the bottom of all avarice and anxiety. The covetous rich man is filled with avarice; the covetous poor man is overcome with anxiety. It is only a matter of circumstances whether covetousness shows itself as greed or worry. A survey taken in a national periodical found that seventy percent of all our worries are about money! A Gallup poll indicated that most people believe they would have no more financial worries if they could increase their income by only ten percent. Some physicians believe that anxiety causes or contributes to a myriad of physical illnesses such as ulcers, colitis, asthma, migraine, stroke, paralysis, arthritis, fatigue, hypertension, diabetes. Researchers have stated that more than half our hospital beds are occupied by anxiety-ridden patients. Doctors think that one out of every twenty Americans now living will spend part of his life in an institution for the mentally-ill because of anxiety. Covetousness, greed, and anxiety are causes for much of our social evil such as theft, embezzlement, robbery, murder, suicide, marital problems, even war (James 4:1-3).

When Jesus says, Be not anxious. He is not advocating financial dereliction. The disciple of Jesus is not permitted to be shiftless, reckless or thoughtless. Believers are admonished to work, if physically able, to provide their own living (cf. Proverbs 6:6-8; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12; Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 6:5-9, etc.). They are also taught by Jesus to be wise stewards of their material possessions (Luke 16:1-13). Jesus and His apostles taught that honest labor deserves honest wages (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7-8). But the lust for accumulating things which would distract the believer's mind and heart from his first prioritythe revealed will of Godis the anxiety Jesus forbids. It is significant that the Greek word merimnate is in the imperative mood and means that Jesus is commanding us, Be not anxious! If we say we know Him and we are anxious, we are not being truthful (1 John 2:4) because we are not keeping His commandment. What Jesus says to His disciples about anxiety is more than just suggestionit is an order!

Anxiety is unnecessary. Jesus appeals to our reason to tell us so. Any honest-minded meditation will tell us that Life is more than the body. The psyche is more than soma (flesh). The spirit of man is sustained without anxiety over food and clothing. Jesus proved that in His incarnation. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Jesus points to nature to demonstrate that anxiety is unnecessary. Birds and flowers do not worry, and God sustains them. They function according to their God-given capacities and He provides their needs. Men are of more value than these. Finally, the Lord says experience should teach man that anxiety is unnecessary. In all our fretting and fuming and worrying we do not add one cubit to the length of our lives. As a matter of fact, worrying probably shortens life!

Anxiety is unworthy. It is unacceptable for a Christian to be distracted. The disciple who is anxious about worldly affairs is not fit for the kingdom (cf. Luke 9:57-62). Anxiety is a display of faithlessness and disobeys the specific commandment of Christ prohibiting it. It is shameful for a Christian to worry because it is pagan. The heathen are tossed about by their anxiety over sustaining the flesh. The Greek word meteorizesthe is translated anxious mind. This word is used nowhere else in the N.T. In classical Greek it is used to mean, tossed up and down, or suspended, like a boat in a stormy sea. Christians must not be in suspense about life. Anxiety is characteristic of heathen unbelief. Ceremonial orthodoxy and evangelistic zeal are only hypocrisy if in the financial affairs of life we do not trust God completely. The Christian is a citizen of God's kingdom. His King is absolutely beneficent. The heavenly Father is infallibly aware of His children's needs, He has infinite power to equip every individual with everything needed. He promises to do so. If the Christian will seek the kingdom of God as his first (cf. Matthew 6:33) priority, God promises to make possible all the physical necessities for such seeking. The cure for anxiety is simplybelieve God keeps His promises!

Why would Jesus say Fear not little flock? Because there will be few who will ever take seriously His admonitions about worldliness and anxiety! Does Jesus intend His command, Sell your possessions. to be taken literally? Yes! That should be qualified, however, by a consideration of other scriptures. The Lord does expect us to earn our own living (2 Thessalonians 3:12). He does expect us to work at our jobs with our best craftsmanship (cf. Colossians 3:22-23). The Lord expects us, if we are able, to earn our own food, our clothing and our shelter. He will provide health and opportunities to do so. And whatever is necessary (a house, tools, transportation, etc.) to earn our living we should not feel compelled to sell. Should we have more than this, more than we may use for our living, we should sell and give to the poor, or to the work of the kingdom. Anything above what we need is riches. Jesus counsels every would-be follower of His to sell his riches and give them as alms, so the poor may be fed both; physical and spiritual food. We certainly cannot hoard riches in order to buy our way into His kingdom. It is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom. All of His kingdom we shall ever have shall be that which is given as a gift.

The Christian is to have a purse that does not grow old. In other words, he is to wear his purse out rapidly from continually opening it to give alms or dispense his riches to others, The Christian is to provide himself with a treasure in heaven that never depreciates, is never lost, never stolen and lasts forever. The only way the Christian can do that is to invest his riches (everything he has left from his basic living) in people (cf. Luke 16:9), because people are all that shall survive this world. The rich man who died and went to torments realized too late that he should have invested his riches in the salvation of others (cf. Luke 16:27-31), rather than squander them on himself. It is a fundamental principle that man gives his life to that which he values most. If one values spiritual things most, his whole heart will be devoted to acquiring spirituality. If a man values the same things heaven values, he will invest his life in things, and heaven is where his desires will focus. We must look to Jesus, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). Let us set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-4). As one commentator has said, ... it is the Master's will that his followers should sit loose to all earthly possessions, possessing them as though they possessed not. The Christian will pray that the Lord give him neither poverty nor riches (Proverbs 30:8-9)!