Prosperity is either a mirror in which we see ourselves or a window through which we see God. Consider how God has blessed your life and then ask yourself, “Do I see God or myself?” Many want Jesus to solve their problem but not to change their heart. Interrupted by a brother with an inheritance dispute (Luke 12:13), Jesus sidestepped the request and told a story illustrating a healthy perspective toward prosperity.
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest” Luke 12:16 NIV
In agribusiness circles, this man would be envied for his abundant harvest and might even be regarded as expressly blessed by God. The crop was exceptional, leaving him with more than enough. The farmers I knew when I was in high school would have described the situation as, “He had a good year!” Fertile fields produced a bumper crop; additional wealth fell into his lap; he had more than enough. Jesus does not condemn his success. Apparently, he came by his fortune honestly but such prosperity presented a problem.
“He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’” Luke 12:17 NIV
The man was faced with a completely natural dilemma, a storage problem. A fruitful harvest left him with an overflow. What do I do with the extra income? The man’s quandary is founded upon too much prosperity, too much wealth, too much harvest. Some of you are probably wishing, “Give me that problem!” The man wanted his wealth to last, but where to keep it?
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.” Luke 12:18 NIV
Surplus grain equates to extra income. He doesn’t want to waste this new found surplus. Pragmatically, he decides to enlarge his storage capacity. Bigger buildings are needed for the extra harvest. Jesus isn’t making an indictment against wealth, but this man talked of his own personal potential – he would demolish old barns, he would build the barns, he would store the grain.
“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” Luke 12:19 NIV
The man possessed much wealth, but he also possessed:
- a false sense of success (I regulate the seasons and cause fertile soil!),
- a false sense of security (I’ve got plenty of years!), and
- a false sense of satisfaction (I’ll enjoy an epicurean easy-road!).
Self-absorbed, he repeatedly speaks of what “I” will do, “my” crops, “my” barns, “my” surplus, and “myself”. Sensual self-indulgence was his hedonistic retirement goal. He selfishly wanted to enjoy his riches without thought for others’ needs or concern about God. His mistake was in how he viewed his prosperity.
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” Luke 12:20 NIV
The rich man of the story is representative of any person who misplaces the priority of prosperity. The man did not use his wealth wisely and God Himself called him “fool”. The Old Testament regularly uses the word “fool” for one who rejects God’s wisdom as the basis for life, but I think verse twenty is the only time in the Bible where God directly calls a person “fool”.
“Fool” underscored the man’s faulty logic and far-too-short-sided planning. The man stupidly assumed the future was in his control. The man was focused on temporal without dealing with eternity. He failed to recognize the temporary nature of prosperity. He would leave his riches behind. The crux of the parable was not prosperity, but the attitude toward prosperity.
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21 NIV
To be rich toward God, we must contribute to God’s Kingdom. As we tithe into a local congregation and invest in the lives of his people, our heavenly bank account grows. As we sacrificially sponsor (beyond just the tithe) Great Commission mission on the earth, the spiritual balance swells. With gifts to the poor, orphans, and widows, the interest increases.
We can enjoy and employ prosperity if we remember God’s purpose – He wants to bless us and He wants His Kingdom expanded. We are the Father’s children and He cares for us very much! Paul proclaims, “My God will meet all your needs!” (Philippians 4:19 NIV) God wants to prosper His kids, but He doesn’t want material possessions to distract us.
Warnings of Perils:
- “The worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Mattthew13:22b NIV
- “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV
- “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV
Too many folks make a living instead of making a life. Are you rich toward God? How are handling the prosperity God has given? Where are your investments? What is your heavenly portfolio? Where is your treasure? Is your prosperity a mirror in which you see yourself or a window through which you see God?
