Luke 12:13-34

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Warning against Greed and Materialism -- Provision is Promised

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Those who build bigger barns will be disappointed with temporal loss.

  2. Those who seek kingdom values will be delighted with eternal reward.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t use Luke 12:24 as your excuse for not working.

QUESTIONS

  1. What prompted the Lord to tell the Parable of the Rich Fool?

  2. The reasoning of the Rich Man in verses 17-19 sounds familiar, and even logical. So why did the Lord call him a fool?

  3. In what areas are you a materialist?

  4. What should the Rich Fool have done instead of building bigger barns?

  5. Is it wrong to need food, drink, and clothing?

ANSWERS

  1. Some man in the crowd called out about a family dispute regarding a will. The Lord used the occasion to warn his disciples and those listening about the dangers of greed, covetousness, and materialism.

  2. The man was presuming that he would live for many years. He also presumed he could control his wealth in the future. The man’s basic problem was that he left God out of the picture. The man was not rich toward God.

  3. Answers will vary.

  4. He should have given the money away, to the Lord (verse 33).

  5. No, God knows that you need these things (verse 30). And He will certainly provide these basic necessities if you are seeking His kingdom first (verse 31).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. You can think you have your life under control, but have you included God in the picture? Besides working for earthly riches, how are you working to become rich toward God?

  2. Are you a worrier? In Luke 12:22 the Lord commands us not to worry. Review the several reasons believers don’t have to worry.

CHALLENGE

  1. Be careful not to pull Scripture out of context to prove a certain point. Luke 12:24 in no way justifies laziness and not working. See 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

KEY VERSES

  • “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21

  • “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

  • “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12:31

Luke, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsLuke 12:13-34