The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

The Rich Fool - Luke 12:13-21

The man in this story would be considered a success by almost any measure the world uses to determine success.  But that’s not how God viewed this man.  God’s analysis of this man’s life was direct, to the point, and brutally honest.  His entire life is summed up in the simple statement in verse 20, “You fool!”   That doesn’t mean the man was not intelligent or talented or motivated.  There a plenty of intelligent, talented, motivated fools in the world.  The word “fool” is not a description of this man’s mental capacity or natural abilities.  Instead, it is a commentary on his spiritual discernment.  He did not have the spiritual discernment to value those things in life that are really valuable.  I want to list five foolish things that we are constantly tempted to do in the culture in which we live.

I.    We are foolish to trade our health for possessions.

1.   It seems to me that the rich man in this story was a typical “Type A” personality.  He was hard-driving, hard-working, never satisfied with the status quo.  There is an interesting statement about him in verse 17.  The first part of that verse says, “And he began reasoning to himself...”  The word from which the word “reasoning” is translated is the Greek word from which our word dialogue comes.  In other words, he began to have a dialogue, a conversation with himself.  The blessing of the bumper crop made him start talking to himself!  What was he going to do with all that abundance?  The only solution this “Type A” person could see was to keep expanding—tear down the old barns and build bigger barns.

2.   Could it be that his hard driving personality, his insatiable desire for more is what caused him to die?  Was he so caught up in stuff that he worried and worked himself to death?  We can’t really say if that was the case for him or not.  But we certainly can say that it happens to many people in our culture.  They live under such stress and are so bent making a dollar, that the time comes when the stress catches up with them and their health begins to fail.

3.   There is a classic story about two men.  One was very wealthy but in poor health.  The other was very poor but in excellent health.  The wealthy man would give anything for a healthy body and the poor man would give anything to be wealthy.  In this story there was a world famous surgeon who was able to give them both what they wanted.  He had perfected a technique to do brain transplants.  The wealthy man gave the poor man all his wealth and the poor man gave the wealthy man his healthy body just by allowing this surgeon to switch their brains.  But that’s not the end of the story. 

·         The formerly poor man suddenly found himself surrounded by incredible wealth.  He didn’t know how to use it and quickly squandered to away.  However, the sickly body he had inherited became healthy again when he was not burden with the stress and anxiety of managing a large amount of possession. 

·         On the other hand, the formerly wealthy man who was given the healthy body of a poor man began to use his expertise to accumulate more money.  But the more the money piled up, the more his new found health began to deteriorate as dealt with the stress and anxiety of managing his new found wealth. 

The story ends with both men back where they started—one wealthy in a sick body and the other poor in a healthy body. [Eric Butterworth, Unity of Life, New York: Harper & Row, 1969]

4.   I don’t share that to imply our only options in life are to be wealthy and sick or poor and well.  But I share it to remind you it is foolish to be so driven with accumulating things that we destroy our health in the process.

II.  We are foolish to live only for ourselves.

1.   The man in this story was obviously a very self-centered person.  When he had that conversation with himself about what to do with the extra crops he had harvested, he focused on only one option—how to keep it for himself.  The thought of giving the extra away to other people never even crossed his mind.

2.   It is interesting that in three verses—verses 17, 18, & 19—this man uses the personal pronouns “I” or “my” not less than eleven (11) times.  In his eyes, life was all about him.  He did not care about anyone else.  One person described him as having “...full barns, but an empty heart.” [Brett Blair, “Building Barns, Postponing Life” esermons.com]  He was just the opposite of the woman described by St. Jerome in around 400 A.D. who, according to him, “...preferred to store her money in the stomachs of the needy than in her purse.” [Ibid]

3.   One of the very best things you can do for yourself is simply learn to be a giver rather than a hoarder.  You are missing one of the great blessings of life if you horde everything you have for yourself.  That’s why the God says so much to us in Scripture about giving.  We are to give, not because God needs our money, but because we need the experience.

III. We are foolish to measure our self-worth in terms of our net-worth.

1.   It is fairly obvious that the man in this story was feeling pretty good about himself.  After all, everything seemed to be going his way.  As his assets increased, his value in his own eyes increased as well.  No doubt there was a certain sense of pride in his financial success.  In his mind, who he was was all tied up in what he possessed.

2.   That is one of the most subtle and insidious temptations we face as we live in the affluence of 21^st century America.  We live under constant pressure to place excessive value on the accumulation of certain things.  It has been estimated that by the time a person in our culture graduates from high school, that person has been bombarded with more than 350,000 commercials designed to convince him or her that the way to be successful is to have certain material things.  And some people run themselves ragged to be able to wear the right clothes, drive the right car, live in the right house that says to others, “See, I am a successful, worthwhile, valuable person.”

3.   Philosopher Sidney J. Harris wrote:  “Men may be divided almost any way we please, but I have found the most useful distinction to be made is between those who devote their lives to conjugating the verb ‘to be’ and those who spend their lives conjugating the verb ‘to have.’”  In other words, some people devote their lives to being something and others devote their lives to having something.

4.   As Christians, we need to remember our self-worth does not come from—

·         What we have but from who we are!

·         What we have but from Who has us!

We belong to God.  We are His special possessions.  He made us and redeemed us.  We have dignity and value and worth not because of how many material possessions we may have but because of who we are in Jesus.

IV. We are foolish to confuse what we want with what we need.

1. The man in this story had some incredible wants.  He wanted to be able just to sit back and enjoy life.  As he put it, he wanted to take his “...ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” (verse 19)  That’s not necessarily what he needed, but it is what he wanted.
2. Probably none of us needs all that we think we do.  When you get right down to it, our needs are rather simple.

·         Physically, we need food for the day, clothes for our bodies, and shelter from the elements.

·         Emotionally, we need people to love us and a purpose for our lives.

·         Spiritually, we need to live in relationship with the God who created us.

Beyond those basic things, just about everything else falls into the category of wants.  And when we confuse what we really need with what we merely want, we tend to get our values all confused.

3.   Do you remember Leo Tolstoy’s, the Russian novelist, famous story?  The story is about a farmer who was not satisfied with his lot in life.  One day a farmer received a novel offer. For 1000 rubles, he could buy all the land he could walk around in a day. The only catch in the deal was that he had to be back at his starting point by sundown. Early the next morning he started out walking at a fast pace. By midday he was very tired, but he kept going, covering more and more ground. Well into the afternoon he realized that his greed had taken him far from the starting point. He quickened his pace and as the sun began to sink low in the sky, he began to run, knowing that if he did not make it back by sundown the opportunity to become an even bigger landholder would be lost. As the sun began to sink below the horizon he came within sight of the finish line. Gasping for breath, his heart pounding, he called upon every bit of strength left in his body and staggered across the line just before the sun disappeared. He immediately collapsed, blood streaming from his mouth. In a few minutes he was dead. Afterwards, his servants dug a grave. It was not much over six feet long and three feet wide. The title of Tolstoy's story was: How Much Land Does a Man Need? (Adapted from Bits & Pieces, November, 1991.)   

4.   Confusing our wants with or needs is foolish because it can be deadly.

V.  We are foolish to look to possessions for security.

1.   That, of course, is the main point of this story.  The rich man thought his abundance of possessions guaranteed him security.  He made the erroneous assumption that because his crop was big, his problems were over.  But, of course, that was not the case.  His possessions did him no good when death came knocking on his door.

2.   And his life is a graphic reminder of the foolishness of depending on material possessions for security.  The only real security in life is found in relationship with God.  Everything else is temporary, it is passing away.  Verse 21 makes it clear that anyone who looks to temporary material things for eternal security is a fool.  In that verse Jesus said that just as the rich man in this story was a fool, “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

3.   The only lasting security is found in the God.  Hebrews 13:5 says it so well:  “Make sure your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’”  If it is security you want, you will never find it in things, only in God.

Conclusion

1.   If someone were to write the obituary for this man in the first century world, I am certain his death would have been described as a tragedy.  After all, he seemed to have been in the very prime of his life.  Everything was going so well for him.  It had all come together.  And suddenly he dies.  But the truth is, it is not his death that was a tragedy; it was his life.  His life was a tragedy because he--

·         Traded his health for possessions

·         Lived only for himself

·         Measured his self-worth in terms of his net-worth

·         Confused what he wanted with what he needed

·         Looked to possession for security

May we have the wisdom to avoid making those mistakes in our lives!

The Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan

(Luke 10:25-37)

1.      Jesus was a master storyteller.  He often taught great spiritual truths by telling stories about the common, ordinary events of life. 

2.      All four gospels contain parables Jesus told, but they play an especially significant role in the Gospel of Luke.  About 1/3 of the Gospel of Luke is in parables.  In Luke’s Gospel are recorded more than 35 parables, and at least 11 of them are unique to Luke, not being recorded in Matthew, Mark, or John.  And it is interesting that some of the best known stories Jesus told—the good Samaritan, rich fool, the lost coin, the prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus, the Pharisee and the Publican, etc—are found only in the Gospel of Luke.

3.      Between now and the end of the year, we are going to focus on some of these great, well-known stories that are unique to Luke’s Gospel.  In this session, I want to direct you attention to Luke 10:25-37. (text)

T.S. - There are many things to be learned from this classic story.  I want to focus on the word “neighbor” which occurs three times in the verses I just read.  The lawyer who asked the questions which sparked the telling of this story wanted a definition of the word “neighbor.”  Instead of giving him his definition, Jesus gave an example of a man who acted in a neighborly way.  In effect Jesus was saying, “If you have to ask who your neighbor is, you are missing the whole point.  Let me show you how a good neighbor acts.”  And then He told the story.  I want to point out to you today some things we can learn from this story about being a good neighbor to others. 

I.    Good neighbors understand that life is all about relationships.

1.      The starting point to understanding this parable is understanding the question the lawyer asked in verse 25.  Look at the question:  “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  G. Campbell Morgan, one of my favorite New Testament scholars, says that there is no greater question in all of life than that, but not for the reason we may think. 

·         When we hear the phrase “eternal life” we immediately think of life which lasts forever.  While it is true that there is certainly is life beyond this life.  And while it is true that the question of where we will spend eternity is the most important question any of us will ever answer.  If we get the answer that question wrong, ultimately it does not matter what else we get right!  G. Campbell Morgan points out that the lawyer probably did not use the phrase “eternal life” to mean life which lasts forever.

·         Among the Jewish rabbis of the 1^st century, some of whom did not even believe in an afterlife, the phrase “eternal life” was used to mean full life, complete life, life with meaning.  That would have been the most natural way for this lawyer to use that phrase.  In effect he was asking Jesus, “How do I find meaning for my life? How can I move beyond mere existence to full, rich life?”

2.      As was so typical of Jesus, He did not answer the man directly.  Actually, He answered with a question. 

·         Basically Jesus said to him, “You are a lawyer, aren’t you? (Not in the secular sense, but in the religious sense.  He was an expert in the Torah, the first five books of the OT) What does the law say?” 

·         And to his credit, the man nailed it.  He gave precisely the right answer, the exact answer that Jesus gave to a similar question on another occasion.  He said, “The law says that we are to love God and to love our neighbor as our self.” 

·         In response to his answer Jesus said, “Right!  Do those two things and you will find the meaning in life you are seeking.”  But that did not satisfy this man.  In effect the man replied, “I know who God is, but who is my neighbor whom I am suppose to love?”  And in response to that exchange Jesus told the parable we call the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

3.      What is Jesus saying in this story?  Is He saying that the way to go to heaven is to show compassion to those in need?  No!  That would be contrary to all the New Testament teaches about gaining eternal salvation.  Eternal salvation is not something we achieve through our efforts; it is something we receive as a result of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus is not saying in this story that we earn eternal salvation by caring for people.  But, He is saying that the way to find meaningful, full, rich life in this world is by investing our lives in people. 

4.      Life is all about relationships.  If we would but learn and practice that simple truth, our lives would be immeasurably better.  The kind of relationships we have with other people—family, friends, neighbors, co-workers—is what gives meaning, depth, quality to our lives. 

·         No matter how much we may accumulate in this world, apart from meaningful relationships with others, possessions possess no real meaning.  . 

·         No matter what we may accomplish in this world, without people in our lives with whom we can share them, the greatest of accomplishments leave us empty. 

And when we understand that life is all about relationships and not just what we possess or what we accomplish, we will not make much better life decisions.  We will not use people, abuse people, manipulate people, be dishonest with people just to gain a few more dollars or a little more power.  Instead, we will do as Jesus did, and relate to people with kindness, compassion, honesty, and integrity.  We will not view people as merely a means to some other end; we will see our relationships with them as the very essence of meaningful life.

5.      I’ve forgotten who wrote it, but I remember reading a sermon sometime ago based on this parable about three ways to relate to people.  The writer of the sermon described these three ways of relating to people as—

·         Beat’em up (as practiced by the robbers)

·         Pass’em up (as practiced by the priest and Levite)

·         Pick’em up (as practiced by the Samaritan)

      And when we understand life is, indeed, all about relationships, instead of beating up on people, or passing up people in need, we will be picking up and helping and developing meaningful relationships with people. That’s one thing good neighbors do.

II.  Good neighbors focus on the things that unite rather than divide, bring together rather than separate.

1.   It is ironic that this story has become known as the Parable of the “Good” Samaritan.  To most Jews living in first century Palestine, the term “Good Samaritan” was an oxymoron.  To them, there was no such thing as a “Good Samaritan.”  The deep seated racial and religious animosity between Jews and Samaritans had reached a fever pitch by the 1^st century.  Jews would do all they could to avoid Samaritans and Samaritans would do all they could to avoid Jews.

2.   And that Jesus would tell a story to a 1^st century Jewish audience in which a Samaritan is portrayed as the hero was shocking.  As the story unfolded and Jesus said in verse 33, “But a Samaritan ... came upon him...” the people hearing this story probably thought, “Well, this poor guy has had it now.  At least the priest and the Levite (a person who assisted the priests) did not do the injured man further harm.  But there is no telling what this Samaritan will do to this helpless Jew!”

3.   And when the Samaritan turns out to be the good neighbor, no doubt those who heard the story were stunned.  And the point of all that is good neighbors don’t erect barriers between people, they break them down.

4.   When the lawyer asked in verse 29, “And who is my neighbor?” he certainly did not have in mind the Samaritans.  That question implies that there are some boundaries, some parameters on the people we are to love.  And by telling this incredible story, Jesus was saying, “There are no boundaries, no parameters.  The command to love your neighbor as yourself must extend to all people, even your most hated enemies!”

5.   The hero of Jesus’ story had learned that lesson well.  Here was a Samaritan who had a perfect opportunity to do harm to a Jew.  But he did not allow the racial and religious barriers of his culture to keep him from responding in compassion to a fellow human being in need.  In Christ, the barriers that separate us from others should come tumbling down.  As Paul so eloquently put it in Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  In other words, in Christ the barriers of race, social status, and gender come tumbling down.

6.   Christianity is not an elitist religion.  If you want a religion that—

·         Elevates you over others...

·         Gives you a sense of power and control over others...

·         Says some people are more valuable, more important than others...

It is not the religion of Jesus Christ.  Genuine Christianity does not erect barriers between people; it breaks them down!  Good neighbors understand that.

III. Good neighbors are more others-centered than self-centered.

1.      The story of a man being robbed on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho could have been taken from the front page of a 1^st century newspaper, if they would have had newspapers in the 1^st century.  Such crimes on that particular road were a common occurrence.

2.      The road which connected Jerusalem to Jericho in the first century was an especially treacherous road.  To this day, the remnants of the old Roman road can be seen.  Some of you have traveled that road with me and you know how dangerous it is.  The road runs along the southern edge of the Wadi Kelt, which is a very deep ravine.  In a little less than 20 miles the road drops from Jerusalem, which is about 3000’ above sea level to Jericho which is about 1000’ below sea level. Because of the steep drop and rugged, isolated terrain there are numerous blind hair-pin turns in the road.  The many hiding places made this road a favorite hang-out for thieves and robbers.    

3.      Now notice what happens in the story.  The priest and the Levite, two people you would naturally expect to have compassion on an injured man, passed the man by.  They were so self-centered, they were not about to risk themselves to help a stranger in need.  The Samaritan, by way of contrast, risked himself, interrupted his journey, and gave of his resources, to help a stranger in need.  And when Jesus asked the lawyer, “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” (verse 36), the lawyer was forced to admit that it was the Samaritan, even though he refused to use that word.  Instead, he just said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” (verse 37)

4.      What I want you to see in that is that Jesus calls us to a life of being more others-centered than self-centered.  The way of the world says, “Take care of yourself first.  The most important words in all of life are me, my, and mine.  If after taking care of yourself, you can do something for others as well, that is good.  But keep your priorities straight!”

5.      The way of Jesus is just the opposite.  It says, “Focus on others.  Just as Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many, so the way to find real life is to give your life away to others.”  Good neighbors understand that.                          Conclusion

1.   There is a wonderful account of Malcolm Muggeridge, the famous British intellectual, going to Calcutta, India, to visit with Mother Teresa.  On the first day he met Mother Teresa (a day that Muggeridge said changed his life forever) he found her working in a ghetto like he had never seen before.  There, amid the stench, filth, garbage, disease, and poverty, he found this internationally known woman.  And what struck Malcom Muggeridge about that scene was the look of perfect contentment on Mother Teresa’s face.  Here is the account of their initial conversation. (read interview)

2.   Be a good neighbor.  It will not only be good for others, but it will be good for you, as well!  How?  By—

·         Understanding that life is all about relationships

·         Focusing on the things that bring us together rather than drive us apart

·         Being others-centered instead of self-centered

3.   That’s what the Samaritan in this story did.  And at the end of the story, Jesus tells all who hear it to “Go and do the same.”