Abundant Stuff

Abundant Stuff

Luke 12:13-21

Introduction-

Good morning everyone- Would you bow your head and open your heart as we ask to Lord to speak to us.

Prayer-

Turn to Luke 12

I want to talk about stuff- your stuff and my stuff.

I mostly want to talk about your stuff because I like my stuff and don’t want to get rid of it.

All my stuff is good stuff.

Stuff is another word for possessions.

We buy a house so we can store our stuff. We need a storage shed or storage lockers to keep our stuff.

We take stuff when we go to other people’s homes.

We take stuff when we go on vacation.

We take stuff to make life fun and we take stuff when life has been too much fun. Stuff… what to do with all our stuff.

What to do with all our stuff… I am glad you asked.

God does give us some words on what to do with our stuff and warns us to be careful that stuff doesn’t own us.

Matthew 16:26

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

After this life, none of our stuff will matter to us- we cannot take any of it with us.

The parable of the rich fool begins Luke 12:13-15

There is no name for the fool because if we are not careful, we can be the fool- it is a fictional parable about what could happen and what the consequences would be if it happens. It begins …someone.

“Someone in the crowd said to him, teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, Man, who appointed me a judge or arbiter between you? Then he said to them. Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his positions. (Stuff)

This is not a tithing message but we are going to talk about money. We are going to talk about where you put your treasures.

“Someone”, that could be you or I or someone we know- has a beef with their brother over how the inheritance is being divided.

Many families have been broken or destroyed because there is massive fighting over stuff.

Think of your money as a financial pie- 100% of the pie and what will you do with it?

God clearly tells us that 10%, the top 10% is His and it should be brought into the storehouse of the church so that ministry and needs can be met.

One preacher said that God has all the money He needs, he just has to get it out of our pockets.

The battle becomes wither you are going to tithe. Do you believe the Lord to provide for you after you give that 10% back to Him?

Can you live on the 90%?

Do you believe that the first 10% is not yours or do you believe it is all yours and you just give God an offering once in a while if you have extra?

Because the way you answer that question is probably how you will answer about your stuff.

Don’t touch my stuff.

I will not get rid of my stuff.

I will not share my stuff. I hoard my stuff and proud of it.

Jesus himself is confronted with two brothers who could not come to agreement on stuff.

It was not even their stuff. It was from their parents- an inheritance. Stuff that was going to be passed down to them.

Old Testament clearly says said that the eldest son gets the inheritance and that he does not have to divide it or share it.

It was done that way so that properties weren’t divided and farms and homes lost by dividing.

Jesus said “who appointed me to be arbiter” because it has already been decided.

The younger wanted Jesus to go against law.

Jesus addressed the brothers and then he said to them (those who were listening)

“Then he said to them. Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his positions. (Stuff)”

Where are we to draw the line? Where do we go from needs to greeds?

Illustration-

Does the name R.G. LeTourneau mean anything to you?

Most people do not recognize the name but maybe what he invented. He had a seventh grade education and he taught himself engineering. He held over 299 patents for manufacturing. His earth moving machines help win WWII and built modern roads in America. He was a believer that did something very unique- he gave away 90% of his income and stock in his company. It was a decision he made as a young man in his 30’s who was deeply in debt. He asked God to be his business partner.