Luke and the Lost
Most of us want IT and we want IT now. IT is usually what we do not have at the moment, see that others want and get IT so we want IT, too. We work hard to get IT, then when we get IT we see that a new upgrade has come out for IT. So, we work more hours, spend more time away from our family instead of enjoying IT with our family so we can upgrade IT. See the cycle of wanting more and more. IT has a hold on us. IT controls our lives. IT sometimes cause us to rack up more debt to the point where we will spend even more getting IT. AND get this…When we die from working so hard to get IT, we learn that IT does not go with us. IT is passed down to someone who didn’t work for IT, but probably now works hard to upgrade IT, too. Yikes.
What does Jesus say about seeking IT?
Luke 12, The Message
The Story of the Greedy Farmer
13 Someone out of the crowd said, “Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance.”
14 He replied, “Mister, what makes you think it’s any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?”
15 Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.”
16-19 Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’
20 “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’
21 “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.”
Owning IT impresses others so that make us feel good for owning IT. Self seems to be the real problem here. So, Jesus finishes the lesson with a dose of God-reality…
22-24 He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.
25-28 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
33-34 “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
IT is not what we should seek but WHO. Where is our heart, Who is the treasure that we seek? Self or God? Time to evaluate and meditate and make some more changes from the inside out today.
Dear Heavenly Father, We want all YOU want for us. We seek You and Your heart. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen and act on Your guidance. Forgive us when self seeks it instead of Who in our lives. Thank you for this lesson that jerks our worldly thinking into focus on Your thinking. Thank you for caring for us like you do. Thank you for salvation. Thank you for Who You are. Thank you that You can be found every time we seek You. In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.
