August 1, 2010
I. The Earthly Perspective in Teaching this Text ( The Wrong Way)
A. “Your wealth, possessions, and elite economic status are inherently evil – so give all that you have away” (It is not about how much you make or bank)
B. “You can’t take it with you, so be generous with your assets – especially to the church” (It is not so much about tithing, pledging, investments and dividends)
II. The Heavenly Perspective in Teaching this Text (The Jesus Way): Luke 12:13-21
A. Distractions are completely determined by our attachments (Distractions are not the things themselves but the way our attention becomes absorbed in them, the way we are captured by them)
1. The Person focused on the inheritance he does not yet have but wants to gain! (A kind of greed)
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you? Then he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” – vv. 13-14
2. The Rich man focused on resources he does have but wants to enlarge! (A kind of greed)
Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And the thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ – vv. 15-19
Attachment to any desire adds a quality of drivenness (greedy, grasping, clinging, or clawing for it) to basic desire. The hallmark of attachment is the feeling that a given desire or fear is important. (Body reacts, relationship changes, self-definition is redefined)
B. Distractions block clear discernment and lead to choices and commitments that are tragically foolish! If our lives are designed for us to be rich toward God, then:
1. Our wealth must not be a distraction toward our calling
2. Careful discernment is needed to what is valuable in this life
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” – vv. 20-21
See also Matt. 23:17-19ff; Jeremiah 4:22 “For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.”
Attachment to any desire causes distorted perception. When we are so invested in our own feelings, we may totally misperceive and misinterpret the nature of things around us. Our behavior comes from preconceived notions. We see not what is, but what we crave or fear.
C. Distractions are eliminated or reduced by attention that is focused and sharpened toward the one thing (What is rich toward God?)
And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. . . . for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also – Luke 12:29-31, 34
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him – John 6:27
Distractions create an ‘Insanity’ Kind of Existence: What are the attachments that are distracting you from your calling and destiny?
Delight that it is Father’s pleasure to give you His kingdom (12:32) – so strive to live in the riches of God.
TABLE TALK:
• Discuss with your family one of your distractions that takes you away from your calling as a follower of Jesus. Make a covenant with them that you will remove this pattern for at least one week.
• Every decision has a trajectory in the future. If you continue with a certain attachment or entertain a certain thought about the attachment, what is the eventual trajectory? Have a family member choose a behavior or a thought and see where the trajectory takes you.
• Fools, in biblical language, are those who misuse true wisdom. Jesus calls certain religious leaders as “fools” in Matthew 23:17, 19, Luke 11:39-41, and “the rich man” in Luke 12:16-21. What is foolish about these groups of people in the eyes of Jesus? Discuss how it applies to us.
• Take a journey in the book of Psalms and see how the word, “fool” is used. Ps. 14:1; 38:4-10; 69:5; 74:18. What are the marks of foolishness? Relate this to your experience in the world today.
• Proverbs uses the word, “fool,” a great deal. Take a look at some of the passages and what does this tell you about foolish behaviors or attitudes: Prov. 10:23; 12:16; 14::9; 14:16; 18:6; 21:20; 28:16
The Way Christian Fellowship, Tony Baron, teaching. Meeting at Datron World Communications, Inc., 3030 Enterprise Court, Vista, California, 92081. The Way is a community of Christ followers who seek to worship God in the tradition of the early church. Fr. Tony Baron and Dc. Kirsten Gardner serve as teaching pastors. For more information, see our website, www.findtheway.org or contact us (tbaron@dtwc.com or mgarder600@roadrunner.com).
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