Thesis: To teach the hearers to use the physical things of life for heavenly rewards, and of the deadly spiritual repercussions if one does not.
Text: Luke 12:13-34
Introduction,
As we continue our look into the Lord’s teachings on “warnings” (Luke 12) we will see that in v 13 the subject matter shifts to that of a more physical nature, note that He first (in v 1-12) dealt with what would be considered strictly spiritual matters (hypocrisy; fearing man over God; courage concerning confession of Christ and His doctrine; and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit), and now it seems “by chance” that the warnings shift to that concerning riches, and how they (riches) do cross over into the things of God, and the dangers involved therein.
Many people (especially those that live in the western world) forget man’s beginning in the Garden of Eden, and tend to shift the standards of their needs to this present modern world and all its various conveniences, as if God didn’t do right by man in creating him a paradise with no cell phones, microwaves, nor flat screen TVs, it must have been barbaric some may think, yet it is described as paradise, and something that we long for, yet cannot attain while in this earthly realm.
Yet it wasn’t so much the “things” which God created for humanity that made it a paradise, but rather the fact that they were in constant fellowship with Him, and had faith in Him as a loving Father caring for His children, trusting Him blindly and fully, for their every need.
And (as always) God set in place rules (law) in order that His children would not hurt themselves, and ultimately be separated from Him, yet they let the 3 avenues through which sin propagates itself (the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life; 1 John 2:16) control them, instead of their Father, and you basically know the rest of the story, they let their desires lead them astray, instead of using those God given desires for that which God had designed them, and it cost them paradise, fellowship with God was broken . . . And that is the purpose of the church, the kingdom of Christ and God, to reunite that which was severed (Luke 19:10; 2 Cor 6:17-18).
Therefore in this portion of the Lord’s sermon He “warns” (remember the definition of “warning” “cautioning against danger”), He warns the multitudes concerning their following their God given desires, beyond their God given limits, and attempts to teach them “the way, the truth, and one’s life” in view of the material things of this world, and the having a proper attitude concerning them, and how to exhibit faith in God with such “things,” which are provided in order that we may be sustained in this world, and, give glory to God in the highest fashion possible (Isa 43:7; 1 Cor 1:31; 10:31)
Therefore we will break this lesson into 3 sections . . .
1) Take heed to the “Teacher” (v 13-21)
2) Be not “Troubled” (v 22-30)
3) Trust in the true “Treasure” (v 31-34)
I. TAKE HEED TO THE “TEACHER” (Luke 12:13-21)
A. (v 13-14)
Luk 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
Luk 12:14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"
The first thing to note here is that this man refers to Jesus as “Teacher” and indeed He is the Master Teacher, and because of this question He proceeds into a discourse concerning this problem area, the dangers concerning riches is one of the most frequently discussed topics upon the pages of inspiration, and are very applicable in every age, the Bible is not a dead letter, it is living, active (Heb 4:12), and imparts life (John 6:63).
1. It has been much speculated what exactly the problem was in this case, under Jewish law the older brother would have received 2/3 of the father’s estate (this was in part to enable him to care for the parents), and the younger brother received 1/3 of said property; whether the older was withholding more than his legal share, or the younger was wanting more than was customary really doesn’t matter in this case, the specific problem is not that which the Lord brings to the forefront.
a. The first thing that this teaches them and us is that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), He does not meddle in civil affairs, but rather in the hearts of men (Luke 17:21), give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s (Mt 22:21), in other words “money has its place, so do you, and you are the property of the Almighty.”
b. Christ would fix the problem, but not by a giving a binding legal decision (which He was not authorized to do, He was not a civil judge), but by exposing the root of the problem in order that “it” may be cut out.
B. (v 15)
Luk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take (heed) care, and be on your guard against all covetousness (greed), for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
“Covetousness”(“greed”; NASB) is not only the desire to acquire other’s things, but also the desire to have more of one’s own things, it is basically a want, a desire, that is never filled, one is not satisfied, content with what one has, for it is written (1 Tim 6:7-8, Heb 13:5) . . .
Ti 6:7 for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;
1Ti 6:8 but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.
Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
1. Covetousness is defined as idolatry in Col 3:5 . . .
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
2. It is directly linked to mammon, the god of materialism or money-god, it puts “things” in the place of the heart that is to be reserved for God alone, Jesus warned of the danger of attempting to serve this evil and the true God simultaneously in Mt 6:24 . . .
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
3. Contrary to worldly thinking, life is not about the acquisition of wealth (physical things); a bumper sticker depicting the world’s view on such says thus “He who dies with all the toys is the winner” wherein a true bumper sticker would state “He who dies with all the toys is still dead!” I would assert that the one whose life is about “things” is dead (spiritually), even though they may be alive physically.
4. Living only to obtain material things is a waste of one’s life, the life of Solomon can attest to such; you name it, he had it, and in the end, it cost him his fellowship with God, the wisdom God gave him wrote thus (Eccl 12:13) . . .
Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter; all has been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
5. The desires that people have, which they attempt to fill with sex, drugs, money, entertainment, spills, thrills and other worldly things, is a void that is meant for “God,” only “He” can fill it, only “He” can sufficiently quench that seemingly never ending thirst, those that are in constant fellowship (those that walk) with God, know this to be true (Ps 107:9) . . .
Psa 107:9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And the hungry soul He fills with good.
6. Therefore the “Teacher” proceeds to lay out a parable in order that this lesson may be better ingrained in the minds and hearts of those hearing . . .
C. (v 16-19)
Luk 12:16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully,
Luk 12:17 and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'
Luk 12:18 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.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax (take your ease), eat, drink, be merry."'
The first thing we should note is the number of 1st person pronouns here, 12 times in just a few sentences, this person is very self-centered, and is a perfect picture of the average American, and sad to say, the average American child also, with this in mind, we can easily see why it is so hard to teach God’s truth’s in such a world as this, they just cant believe this type of attitude is not right in the sight of God. People need to be changed according to the gospel, not the gospel changed to fit the people.
1. This person exhibited 6 basic mistakes concerning his situation, he exhibited . . .
1) Blindness – He failed to recognize real the source of his wealth, which is God (MY crops, MY grain, MY goods).
2) Indecision – He stated “what shall I do?” with hungry humanity around him he didn’t know what to do with his surplus?
3) Selfishness – And when he did reach a decision, it was in favor of self, he decided to hoard his wealth instead of sharing.
4) Indolence (the habitual love of ease) – He said “I will say to my soul . . . relax (take your ease)” he intended to live without work; “idleness is the devil’s workshop” it promotes sin, man was created and intended to work, to tend the Garden.
5) Sensuality – He was going to “eat, drink, and be merry” instead of walking after spiritual things (faith, hope and love), he followed the flesh, he put himself on the level of the brute beasts of the field, instead of one made in the image of God.
6) Pridefulness – He boasted of the future, saying he would have “goods laid up for many years”, he said “I will” 5 times in the context, instead of “if the Lord wills I will live and do this and that.”
2. This is the picture of the average person of our day, without God, and without hope (Eph 2:12), we can be thankful unto God that He sent His Son, His Spirit, and the gospel, which is the power (Rom 1:16), to change all this (Rom 12:2; Tit 3:5) . . .
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
D. (v 20-21)
Luk 12:20 But God said to him, '( you) Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
Luk 12:21 So (this) is (how it will be for) the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
A mindset like this is extremely foolish in the sight of God, not only did he “not” renounce all that he had (Luke 14:33), considering it to be God’s (Ps 24:1), and he was merely the wise steward thereof (Gen 1:26), but also he failed to recognize the sovereign rule of God over all His creation, even down to the very souls of individuals, they are His, they are in His hand, we need to respond like Job in all situations (Job 1:21) . . .
Job 1:21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of (let us always speak well of the sovereign rule of) the LORD."
1. One that lays us material things up for himself, with himself in mind, cannot be a true servant of God, He demands full allegiance, and nothing less (Mt 6:24).
a. Earthly possessions can give no comfort in the hour of death, yet they may the means of one’s eternal condemnation, James by inspiration wrote (Ja 5:1-3) . . .
Jas 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Jas 5:2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Jas 5:3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up (your) treasure in the last days.
b. Therefore let us not be likened unto this foolish man, but rather let us glory in the riches of God, things that are eternal in nature, like faith, hope, love, compassion, humility and mercy; to practice “these” things is to “take heed” to the one and only true “Teacher” our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Mt 23:8), the first fruits of those resurrected from the dead unto eternal life (1 Cor 15:23), this will help insure our following of Him in this respect also (John 5:28-29).
Joh 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
Joh 5:29 and come (forth) out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
II. BE NOT “TROUBLED” (Luke 12:22-30)
A. (v 22)
Luk 12:22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Therefore with the case of the coveting brothers, and the rich fool before us, we are to be not troubled about things that are temporal, for that mindset openly displays a lack of trust in God and His providence (Eph 4:6), one can live a life in line with God’s will, (without spending so much negative energy towards one’s self), and God will bless our lives and plans in order that we will have the necessities of life.
B. (v 23)
Luk 12:23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
All things were created by God and for God (Col 1:16; Ps 100:3; Heb 2:10; Rev 4:11), and His plans are to put our lives in line with His will, which will benefit Him, others, and us; food and clothes are necessary, but that is not man’s purpose in creation, God knows this, and we should be constantly aware of it. Man’s purpose in creation is clearly defined in Isa 43:7 (1 Cor 10:31) . . .
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
C. (v 24)
Luk 12:24 Consider 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!
Likened unto the comparison of sparrows to man, ravens are now brought out, these fowl don’t posses storehouses for their food, yet they show no anxiety about where their next meal will come from.
1. Jesus is not discouraging work and industry, for it is written “If any will not work, neither let
him eat” (2 Thess 3:10), but what He is discouraging is undue anxiety in regard to our temporal needs, again this points to trust, faith in God, Who built and supplies all things, instead of self.
D. (v 25)
Luk 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour (cubit; measure) to his span of life (stature)?
The rich fool could not add any length to his life, despite a hoarded abundance, and neither can we. The time of our physical deaths are determined by God (Heb 9:27; Eph 4:6), not by our striving apart from Him to maintain our existence in this realm, there is scriptural backing for being prepared (Mt 25:1-11, the parable of the wise and foolish oil seeking virgins) yet that is not why we are here.
E. (v 26)
Luk 12:26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
And if you are not able to prolong your days, nor add any height to your physical body (which could both be easily done by the Most High), why be overly concerned about all these other “things,” which God is also orchestrating (“helikia” translated “stature” or “life” v 25 is defined as “maturity [in years or size], age, stature”; Strong’s)
1. Anxiety, if anything will shorten a life, rather than lengthen it, this can be seen in our phrase “he worried himself to death” stress is proved to shorten one’s stay upon this earth.
F. (v 27)
Luk 12:27 Consider 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.
God expects his children to be clothed (Gen 3:21), and in a modest fashion (1 Tim 2:9), for the attention of all is to be diverted to God (Isa 43:7; 1 Cor 1:31; 10:31), not self, a person is not to be overcome with one’s apparel (1 Pet 3:4), but rather with God, being filled with His Spirit (Eph 5:18-20).
1. The lilies of the field don’t spend all their time working for and making clothes, and God makes them more stunning than the richest man of all time, therefore neither ought we to spend all our time about things of a temporal nature, Jesus also says (John 6:27) . . .
Joh 6:27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
G. (v 28)
Luk 12:28 But 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 you of little faith!
Therefore if God so clothes these temporal parts of His creation, what can we expect?
1. Certainly more than even a pure golden, diamond studded robe, more than anything that this physical world has to offer, we can be clothed with that which is part of the very Godhead Himself, (Gal 3:27, 29) . . .
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ . . .
Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
2. Which gives us the hope of our eternal inheritance (2 Cor 5:1-2), God’s promise of being clothed with eternal glory (Phili 3:20-21) . . .
2Co 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2Co 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Php 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
H. (v 29)
Luk 12:29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be (of a doubtful mind) worried.
While it is true that no person should make a god out of one’s belly, for that person’s end is perdition, and their pride will be their shame (Phili 3:19), but that is “exactly” what we do when we allow anxiety about what we are going to eat or drink get in the way of our faithfulness and service to God.
1. We need to recognize that there are going to be times of testing, God brings these about to refine us, to build us up, in order that when the times get “really” tough, we will be able, by the power of God, to stand (Ja 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7)
Jas 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Jas 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Jas 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1Pe 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pe 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2. Therefore let us not act like those in the wilderness, not being content with their manna, who were not allowed enter into their promised land. Or like Esau, who sold his birthright which included being a priest of God for a mere morsel of food, but rather let us endure, trusting in God, not going ahead of God, but waiting on the LORD, Who feeds and sustains the whole of His creation (Ps 66:8-12; Phili 4:11b; Ps 23:1).
Psa 66:8 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard,
Psa 66:9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.
Psa 66:10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.
Psa 66:11 You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
Psa 66:12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
a. Let us instead act like Paul and others rich in the faith of God, and demonstrate it with both words and deeds (Phili 4:11; Ps 23:1).
Phi 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
Psa 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
I. (v 30)
Luk 12:30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
The entire unbelieving world spends its pursuits on the seeking of these things, all you have to do is mention a million dollars, and watch one’s face light up, and then mention Christ and God, and watch their expression fall, and many of these expect to go to heaven, how could that be? Why would they want that to be there? Since they love the world and the things of the world so much?
1. God knows what His children need, He knows when they need exercise, and He knows when they need chastisement; He also knows that they need hope; we must trust God, and simply walk in the light of His word to the best of our God given ability, and leave the rest to Him.
a. Being not be overly “troubled” with the material things of this world, but rather going to God in prayer “casting all our anxiety upon Him, because He cares for us” as it is written (1 Pet 5:7; Phili 4:6-7).
Phi 4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
III. TRUST IN THE TRUE “TREASURE” (Luke 12:31-34)
A. (v 31)
Luk 12:31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
God’s kingdom is to be the top priority of all followers of Christ, realizing that all the physical creation, including the earth, is temporary, (2 Pet 3:10-11; Mt 24:35) . . .
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy living and godliness,
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
1. We must come to grips with the fact that we, the children of God, while living in this world, that our true citizenship is in heaven (Phili 3:20), and here we are merely pilgrims (field crossers), sojourners, we cannot live “for” this world, but rather “for God and others” in this world.
a. This is either true, or it is not, and one should be able to read the Scriptures and know whether one has eternal life (1 John 5:13; 3:4-10), and our lives also should openly testify to this fact to others (Mt 5:13-15).
b. The Lord’s servants need not be anxious for the necessities of life, but rather they should be anxious for the pleasing of God, and others, the “things” will come according to God’s sovereign will and rule over His creation (Eph 4:6).
B. (v 32)
Luk 12:32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
And they in the 1st century, nor are we to approach the seeking and service of the kingdom with fear of the world, because they (the world) are so many, and the redeemed so few in comparison (Mt 7:13-14), but rather we are to seek it by faith, faith which is from and based upon God and His word (Rom 10:17), which ensures us of God’s promises and motives (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18).
1. And it is God’s will that all people be saved (1 Tim 2:4), yet it is not the will of most to forsake the worldly pleasures that will keep them out of heaven, they cannot break the bondage that ties them to these things (Rom 8:7-8), only God can through Jesus, through the Spirit, through the gospel (Rom 8:1-4;1 Cor 15:57; 1 Jn 5:4), and that is the thrust of the message of this section of Christ’s teachings.
a. God’s faithful have always been a “remnant” throughout time, and the case is still true to this day, and here they are referred to as “little” and a “flock” and of course Christ is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), He himself stated in (John 10:27) . . .
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
C. (v 33)
Luk 12:33 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.
Here’s His voice, let all those that claim to be the sheep of the Good Shepherd dissolve their assets and follow Christ, let us make a line of people starting right here!
1. I am guessing, even if there were more people here, still the line wouldn’t be too awfully long, now this command cannot be stating that one must sell “everything” which they have, it does not state sell “all” ones possessions, for in this very context food and raiment (which could possibly refer to shelter, as in a humble home, or even a homeless shelter for those who are the poor of this nation) are promised to those that seek God’s kingdom as a first priority.
a. What this is talking about is one’s “surplus,” after God has supplied their “needs” likened unto the parable in the context (v 16-21). Let us look at these commands being actually carried out by the church; turn to Acts 4:32-35 . . .
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul (they were “one in Christ Jesus”; Gal 3:28): and not one of them said that any of the things which he possessed was his own (they renounced all that they had; Luke 14:33); but they had all things common (they shared; Heb 13:16).
Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (The miracles of the 1st century enabled them to spread the gospel, and as they did the will of the Lord His favor was upon them)
Act 4:34 For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
2. Those that had “lands” (plural), or “houses” (plural) sold them, and the funds were circulated among the poorer Christians as the “need” arised.
a. Communism as defined today was not practiced in the early church, communism is “coercive,” it is “forced” upon people, while Christian benevolence, communal sharing is done “willingly,” those who had, sold, and shared.
b. But Christians still continued to own property, as seen in the house of Mary where the church was praying (Acts 12:12), in fact Christians met exclusively in their own homes they owned until the 4th century when Romanism started to rear its ugly head, Prisca and Aquila (Rom 16:6; 1 Cor 16:19), Nympha (Col 4:15), and Philemon (Phile 1:2) all had houses in which the church gathered, house churches are according to the NT pattern (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 8:3; 20:20 Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 1:2), while meeting in church buildings are according to the precepts of men, not God we, Christians, are God’s building (1 Cor 3:9).
c. Those that had extra, the plurality (remember that nothing is hid from God; Acts 5:1-11), sold, and gave, to those in need, these that do such, were and are, showing their faith in God and His promises, and are laying up treasures that are everlasting (Mt 6:19-20).
Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
d. It has been wisely said, “you cant take it with you, but you can send it ahead,” and that is what we do when we give according to God’s will, helping the less fortunate, and giving monies to spread the gospel in order that others can hear, believe, obey and also have their hopes set on heavenly treasures instead on slowly but surely perishing things of the earth.
D. (v 34)
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Christ’s disciples are to know and openly acknowledge that they are but stewards of their God given possessions, our Lord states thus (Luke 14:33) . . .
Luk 14:33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
1. And what they “do” with “their” God given possessions gives evidence of where their hearts are, Christ stated concerning some (Mt 15:8) . . .
Mat 15:8 This people honors me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.
a. Our lips, our possessions, and therefore our hearts, are to be God’s.
b. Willingness to sacrifice one’s own property for the good of others demonstrates that one is not materialistic, that one isn’t focused upon the things of the flesh, but rather upon things of the Spirit, these are those that are led by the Spirit, and are the true “sons/children of God” (Rom 8:14).
c. If one’s treasures are of this world, their affections are fixed upon it; but if one lays up heavenly treasures, the heart becomes more drawn to heaven, and the things above.
d. Then as life goes on, one is constantly moving towards their treasure, not from it, and to do this, with this mindset, is to trust in the “true treasure” by faith in the commands and promises of God, Who cannot lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18), for it is written (Col 3:1-4) . . .
Col 3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ (through the obedience of faith in baptism; Col 2:12), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
Col 3:3 For you died (to self in the act of baptism; Rom 6:3-8), and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested (at His 2nd coming), then (if you indeed set your mind on the things above which will be manifested by your actions), shall you also with him be manifested in glory (being like Him; Phili 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2; in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells).
Conclusion . . .
1. First we looked how we should “take heed to the “Teacher” (v 13-21), which is Christ (Mt 23:8), Who teaches us to attack the root of a problem, one’s mind, the will, the biblical heart is that which God’s power to salvation, the gospel, is able to transform, to perform that metamorphosis within us, and make us think like God, and act like God, in order that we can be fitted to eternally be with God.
2. Then we looked at the things over which people have much anxiety, and the message is “be not “troubled” do not be overly concerned with such things, for they are needed, but our all knowing, caring, and providing God is able to care for those who do His will (v 22-30).
3. The finally we seen how to “trust in the true “treasures” (v 31-34), those that don’t rust, or fade away like earthly riches, and how to use them for the glory of God, to send them ahead, thusly setting our minds upon the things above by our actions on the earth below, showing forth our faith in God, Christ, and the eternal kingdom, thereby proving that this world is indeed not our home.
4. Yet we all must make that first move, and continue to move by faith, faith comes by hearing, and that of God’s word (Rom 10:17), we are to manifest the obedience of faith to that gospel call (2 Thess 2:14), which is put forth in the living and active word, it shows exactly what one is to “do” (Acts 2:37; 16:30) to be saved . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief (faith) is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but rather continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20).
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . . Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, “separated” “set-apart” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), doing, practicing the will of the Father, being “doers” of the word (Ja 1:22) in order that you won’t have your name blotted out the book of life (Rev 3:5), that we may enter into the eternal phase of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:10-11)
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2Pe 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.