Devotions on Luke 12:13-34–Parable of the Rich Fool

August 27-September 2, 20189

 

Monday, August 27, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15).

Greed is part of our DNA. The question that we should ask ourselves is not, “Are we greedy?” but rather, “How do we handle our greed?” The farmer in the story did not think of himself as greedy. He was making a wise business decision by expanding the storage capacity of his farm. If someone would have accused him of greed he would have (like we do) pointed to a farmer who was more prosperous and said, “I’m not greedy, he’s the one who is greedy!”

In order to be on our guard, we need to look at greed in our lives. We live in a world where billions of people are starving, yet obesity is a growing health problem in the industrialized world. Is it possible that our waist lines are a sign of our greed? With diminishing fossil fuels, could our automobiles’ gas mileage be an indicator of our greed?

A set of laws for everyone to obey is not the answer. A new legalism is not the path of life in God’s kingdom. God, however, who loves us dearly and wants the very best for us, will shine God’s light in to our lives and enable us to see our greed, if we ask God to do so. Thus enlightened, we can respond in faith and obedience.

Shine your light into our lives, O Lord, and let us see what both pleases you and displeases you. Give us then the ability to respond in faith. Amen.

 

Tuesday, August 28, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones” (Luke 12:18).

Susan Callahan came home with good news. She received a raise—a substantial raise to go along with her new title at work. Susan’s family was excited. Her raise would allow them to purchase a new car, or go on an exotic vacation or make major improvements to the family room. There was no end to what they could do with the money.

Most of us can understand the Callahan family’s excitement. We’ve received a windfall—an unexpected amount of money no matter how small. We’ve wondered what to do with it and we usually ended up spending it on ourselves. We did exactly what the foolish farmer did in Jesus’ story.

The farmer was not foolish because he decided to build larger barns. He was foolish—and so are we—because he thought only of the things of this world. The farmer moved to improve his lot in life. He never asked how his windfall could be used for the benefit of the community. The farmer lost sight of the truth that we are all blessed to be a blessing. The abundant life is not defined by what we accumulate, but rather by what we give away.

Teach us the joy of giving, Lord, so that all may have what they need and no one will have too much. Amen.

 

Wednesday, August 29, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“‘And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry’” (Luke 12:19)

The Villanova’s worried about their son, Miguel. He was adrift. Miguel had graduated from high school but didn’t really know what he wanted to do next. He was content to work at a low paying job, hang with his friends and have fun. The Villanova’s knew that Miguel was capable of so much more. He was a talented boy who could rise to great heights and touch the lives of many people.

Imagine the Lord’s disappointment when we settle for lives that are little more than relaxing, eating, drinking and being merry. Jesus said that he has set us free (John 8:36). We have been set free so that we can be all that we were created to be. Jesus also said that he came so that we could have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Freedom and abundance are not found in the self-centered activities of eating, drinking, relaxing and being merry.

Jesus set the example for us in his life, death and resurrection. Freedom and abundance are found in love, sacrifice, service and faithful obedience to God’s call.

Lord, forbid that we settle for anything less than your true freedom and abundance. Amen.

 

Thursday, August 30, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear” (Luke 12:22).

Worry is not controlled or conquered by mental strength and discipline. It does not lessen in proportion to increased wealth and has been known to increase with the accumulation of material items. Though worry does nothing except to increase our blood pressure, it doesn’t stop when we acknowledge this truth.

There is only one thing that is effective in ending worry. Love. Love casts out fear. Our worry ceases when we are embraced in God’s love and realize that God holds us in God’s hands. We are able to celebrate worry free lives when we live in the reality that there is absolutely nothing in all of creation that can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).

We are loved. There is nothing we need to worry about.

Hold us tight, Lord, and let us escape worry and find peace in your loving embrace. Amen.

 

Friday, August 31, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Luke 12:23).

When the Lord surveyed creation and proclaimed that it was good, there were no streets lined with restaurants nor closets crammed with clothes. In the Garden of Eden under God’s care, Adam and Eve were content to be unclothed and to enjoy the fruits of the trees that grew in the garden. Following the tradition of the prophets, John the Baptist wore a camel hair garment and leather girdle. He feasted on locusts and wild honey. Jesus may have enjoyed a few splendid meals, but usually he feasted on plainer fare. When he died, his only garment of value was a seamless robe, for which the soldiers cast lots.

Other treasures of life more than compensated for what they lacked in food and clothing. Adam and Eve walked with God and lived in the reality of God’s care. The prophets experienced firsthand what life is like when we love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus was the essence of love and sacrifice.

Our lives are empty if they merely consist of existing from day to day. We were created for love and relationships—with God and with others.

Lord, keep us from settling for anything less than the very best in life that you have for us. Amen.

 

Saturday, September 1, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin” (Luke 12:27).

The Psalmist writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork (Psalm 19:1). Beyond the survival of the fittest, there is a world of beauty and abundance. There is evidence not only of God’s greatness but also of God’s involvement. In creation we see God’s love and care.

While enjoying a mountain panorama, we are awed by God’s greatness, yet are also able to celebrate the truth that God knows us by name. Sitting on the shore of a lake whose waters are a mirror, we can sense the peace and comfort of God’s presence. Even in the middle of our morning and evening commutes, we can bear witness to God’s nearness, celebrate the gift of vocation, and be calm instead of stressed.

When we look beyond our pressing problems and gaze upon God’s creation. We realize that we have nothing to fear. God is with us.

Thank you, Lord, for your presence in our lives. Amen.

 

Sunday, September 2, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Even though we are followers of Jesus, we sometimes find ourselves fearing God. We feel that God is disappointed with us because we have not done all that God wanted us to do. Or, we fear that God is angry at us because of what we have done. When our hard work produces few results, we convince ourselves that God is holding back God’s blessings from us, and we are afraid that in reality God is a stingy God.

God’s Word seeks to take away our fears by reminding us that it is God’s will that we live in God’s kingdom. It is God’s pleasure that we experience all that God’s kingdom has to offer. God longs to pour down God’s love upon us and walk in a relationship with us. The Holy Spirit anxiously anticipates empowering our talents and abilities and, flowing through us, to touch the lives of the people around us with God’s love and grace.

God wants the very best for us. God does not give us second best, nor does God want us to settle for second best. It is God’s pleasure to give us God’s kingdom—to give us himself.

Lord, as we live in your kingdom, flow through us like a mighty river and fill the world with your love and grace. Amen.