Scripture reading – Luke 12
Our chronological study of the Scriptures brings us to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12. Once again, we are considering a passage that believers have treasured for two millennia and one that provokes conviction in the hearts of sinners. The focus of this devotional is Luke 12:1-21.
Whom Should Believers Fear? (Luke 12:1-12)
In the opening verses of Luke 12, Christ cautioned His disciples regarding things men should fear. We are to fear the insidious nature of hypocrisy (i.e., “the leaven of the Pharisees,” Luke 12:1-3), but not fear those who persecute or threaten our life (Luke 12:4). We are to fear the LORD, for He has the authority “to cast into hell” (Luke 12:5) and knows all things: “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7).
Believers are to confess Christ openly, knowing He has promised to “confess” and identify us “before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8). Reject Christ, and there is hope of forgiveness; however, for one who “blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost [and] it shall not be forgiven” (Luke 12:10). What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Ghost? It is to reject the Spirit’s revelation of Christ as the Savior, the Son of God (Hebrews 10:29-31).
A Warning Concerning Covetousness (Luke 12:13-15)
Beginning with Luke 12:13, the LORD addressed a sin that has plagued humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve—the sin of covetousness.
When Satan tempted Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-7), he proposed she consider the fruit of the tree God had forbidden, the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17). Initially, Eve resisted the temptation; however, the more she considered the forbidden fruit, the more she pondered what the serpent (Satan) suggested were its benefits. She observed the fruit God forbade was “good for food,” was “pleasant to the eyes,” and had the prospect “to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Tragically, she coveted what God forbade and “took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7And the eyes of them both were opened” (Genesis 3:6-7).
The sin of covetousness goes by many names and is expressed in many evil ways.
Greed, lust, discontentment, “love of money” (1 Timothy 6:10), hoarding, and stinginess are but a few words that define a sin that has driven men to self-destruction and eternal damnation. Consider a parable Jesus told that aptly defined covetousness’s enslaving, damnable nature. The appeal of a man at odds with his brother concerning an inheritance prompted the story of the rich fool. In the Jewish culture, the eldest brother had the right of inheritance, and the man who came to Jesus was most likely the younger brother seeking a portion of his father’s estate (Luke 12:13-15).
The Parable of the “Rich Fool” (Luke 12:16-21)
Jesus told the story of a rich man whose “passion for possessions” could not be satisfied. He was unhappy even when blessed, and his barns overflowed. So, the rich man determined to build larger barns and boasted within himself, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” (Luke 12:19).
Sadly, the sum of the parable has been repeated and condemned by the LORD since the fall of man: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”(Luke 12:20)
What prompted this enduring illustration of covetousness?
It was the request of a man whose “passion for possessions” had taken precedence over the natural affection one brother should have for another. The man came to Jesus demanding, “Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:13). The Law was clear regarding inheritance, yet this brother was discontented and demanded his inheritance out of greed.
Jesus knew that man’s heart and recognized an inordinate affection for wealth and possessions in the brother’s request. He rebuked the man for demanding that He act as a judge in a matter where the law had spoken. Jesus warned: “Take heed [be quiet; i.e., listen], and beware of covetousness [i.e., greed; a desire or craving to have more]: for a man’s life consisteth [i.e., is defined by] not in the abundance [surplus; affluence] of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
Closing lesson: A fool sets his affections on riches and eventually finds himself a slave to them.
Luke 12:21 – So is he [a fool] that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Where is your treasure?
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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