Churning and Burning

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"Then he (Jesus) said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;  a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 (NIV)

 

Apparently I am not the only person predisposed to a "churning and burning" heart! After our last Bible Bits post, I received feedback from many of you who also admitted to frequently dealing with worry, fear, and anxiety. In light of that, I wanted to share a few more insights into our teaching session from Luke 12. Jesus warns the crowds who are listening to be on guard against all kinds of greed. To reinforce his point, He tells them the Parable of the Rich Fool, the man who selfishly lived for his possessions and failed to live in light of eternity. Jesus then turned to his disciples and commanded them not to worry, but to seek first God's kingdom. (Luke12:31)

 

Author Leon Morris summarizes this passage's teachings as follows: "Greed can never get enough; worry is afraid it may not have enough." To which my husband Bruce wisely adds, "Generosity can never give enough."

 

We usually believe that greed, worry, and generosity primarily deal with how we manage our money, but all three conditions are actually heart issues. Wealth is never evil in itself. It is amoral- not good or bad. But the question we must all ask ourselves is always, "Do I have wealth or does it have me?" It's never about the money; it's always about my heart. Jesus reminds us of this truth with his words, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)

 

So where's our treasure? More importantly, where is our heart? Luke 12 is ultimately about each of us being rich toward God. (Luke 12:21) We are rich toward God when we use our God given resources- our time, talent, and treasure- for the advancement of His Kingdom. We love God and love others, recognizing that we are not owners, but stewards, of God's rich gifts of grace.

 

Wherever we are today let's put our hearts under the lens of God's word and ask "Where's my heart and what resources do I have that can be used to love God and love others?" Remember:

 

  • Greed can never give enough

  • Worry is afraid it may not have enough

  • Love can never give enough

 

"Jesus gave it all; All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow." Elvina M. Hall, Jesus Paid It All lyrics, 1885

 

Amen and Amen!

Donna

stewardshipHolly Hollongenerosity, worry, anxiety, Christian living, love