Introduction. Who can tell me the top news story the past two weeks? (this was when the stimulus plan was being proposed) Sure it’s the Economic Stimulus plan. This has been the main item of discussion by congress, the president, and experts on all the networks. The premise is the economy needs help and we can fix it. Each side has issues they support, emotions run strong, and who knows what will come of it? The lesson here is economics is important – important to the success of businesses, governments, and individual families. Misguided or incorrect economic practices can bankrupt an individual and destroy an entire country. Look at Zimbabwe today. A once thriving agricultural economy, known as the bread-basket of Africa is seeing inflation percentages in the millions and mass starvation.
Economics impacts so much of life. I deal directly with economics at least twice each month when I sit down to balance my check book, adjust my budget, and pay the things I owe. I find I must often make decisions, sometimes hard, about how to handle my family’s economics. I’m not always sure what is the best. I venture to guess that you also wonder if you make right decisions and I am sure economics often adds stress to you life. One survey found the primary reason for 50% of divorces was economic pressure. Someone said, “I’m so broke, American Express tells me, ’Leave home without it.’”
Do you know Bible says plenty about economics? In fact, there are over 2,000 passages that deal with money and possessions. Jesus said more about this than any other topic (i.e. faith, love, heaven, etc.). Over half of His parables deal with greed, generosity, giving, etc. God gives so much time to economics because it’s the stuff of life and He does not want you to live under constant stress in this realm.
Today we start a new series: Heavenomics 101 or "God’s take on economics." He wrote the book! Principles of economics are found throughout God’s Word. He gave us these directions because they’re the best for us, they reflect His nature, the help us live free of bondage to things that can distort life. Today we will address the First principle of Heavenomics.
The First Principle of Heavenomics – It’s Not Yours!
(read Luke 12:13-21)
This parable is quite interesting since it redefines what is mine and concludes that actually nothing is. From what my parents leave, to what I go after and accumulate, to my body and soul, everything is God’s. That’s the assertion of the Psalmist in Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." This is good because if it’s not mine, that relieves me of a lot of the stress and misdirection I face in life. Listen, if it’s not mine greed doesn’t make any sense! Life becomes much simpler and decisions less complicated. If there’s anything we should get out of this passage today it’s that It’s Not Yours and if we get that we get benefits from getting it.
If It’s Not Yours It Can’t Distract You
(verse 13) "Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
Here’s a guy in the audience who gets to listen to Jesus teach profound and provocative lessons (i.e. hypocrisy, God’s judgment, hell, man’s value to God, empowering of Holy Spirit) but all he thinks about is the will, and I didn’t get my share, my brother cheated me, I want what’s mine. Instead of seeing Jesus as the Savior from sin, he thinks, "Here’s a guy who can help me get what’s mine!"
1. Possessions distract from what’s really important.
a. They distract us from Jesus. Matthew 13:22 "He who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word..." We get so wrapped up in getting and taking care of stuff that we can’t think of anything else, we have no time to really listen to spiritual issues because we think our stuff or lack thereof is the source or cure of all our problems.
1) External pressures to get what’s mine cause me to walk by sight rather than faith, to miss the internal presence of God and the voice of the Spirit tending to real issues of life (loving God & people).
2) We develop attitudes pursuing stuff that prompt wrong actions and damage relationships. Instead of relating to Jesus as Master and King, we approach Him as Fixer of problems.
b. They distract us from relationships. Possessions, wealth, stuff have a way of coming between even the closest family members. I’ve heard stories about rifts between siblings over what’s left by parents. Husbands and wives split due to disagreements over stuff.
When stuff becomes more important than those you love,
It’s time to realize – It’s Not Yours! If we get that we get benefits...
If It’s Not Yours It Can’t Dominate You
(verse 15) "Take heed and beware of covetousness"
Note: The Bible never says money, possessions, etc. are problems in themselves. Jesus exposed them as symptoms of the real problem – greed (covetousness). He warned us to guard against the tools Satan uses to control and manipulate this world. He warned more about materialism than any other sin. Satan uses what God gives us to enhance our lives and bring others to salvation, to bind us to his purposes. Ever wonder why with everything you have there’s always something more you want? Is it just me? Ever notice wanting too hard can dominate your life – too much work, mishandling finances, excess debt? When creditors own your productivity you limit your use to the kingdom of God.
1. Everyone struggles with greed to some extent. It means "thirst for more", an unreasonable craving, a lack of restraint. It’s our culture!
Money magazine declared money was the number one obsession of Americans. Newsweek reports there is a new plane of consciousness called “transcendental acquisition.” Its cover story of 8/27/01, tells of a woman saddled with debt who charged a diving trip to French East Indies. Instead of trying to break free, it’s as if she’s given up. She said, “I’ve spoiled myself and can’t change my habits.” Advertisers say if we buy more products, we’ll be happier, fulfilled, comfortable, popular, cooler. Yet they never warn of excess or hint that having things won’t make us happy. 34% of Americans in 2000, ranked shopping as their favorite activity! 70% visit malls at least once a week. That’s more than go to churches or synagogues! The average American shops 6 hours a week, but only plays with their children 40 minutes. By age 20, the average American has seen around 1 million commercials.
a. Greed can take many shapes and be camouflaged in many ways. It may be greed for money, influence, things, position, even spiritual things (i.e. a guy in Acts offered Peter money to be able to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit).
b. Greed makes us believe life is about what we have – get all you can, go after more. If we don’t admit this and guard against it, it will consume us (we begin to think if I have much, I feel I’m doing well; if I don’t have much, I feel I’m missing out and not really living).
c. Recognizing it’s not ours removes greed’s power. If what I have is only on loan from God and my job is to manage His stuff correctly, then greed makes no sense. What makes sense is aiming my affection towards the One who owns everything. Loving God and loving people makes sense.
Colossians 3:1-2 "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
I John 2:15 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
When greed dominates your pursuits, corrupts your decisions, keeps you from God, It’s time to declare – It’s Not Yours!
If we get that we get benefits...
If It’s Not Yours It Can’t Deceive You
(v. 17) "What shall I do?"
1. This man saw only himself, not God. He believed the lie that he was the owner of everything which is a huge detour from God’s best. When we see ourselves as the owner there are lies we believe.
a. He forgot he was only a steward. He missed the fact that God’s generosity made the ground produce the harvest and began to be self-assured.
1) He developed a serious "I" problem. Notice he says "I", "my" or "you" (to himself) 13 times in 3 verses. He focused only on what he sees, begins to feel good about himself, and inflates his own importance and expertise.
Illustrate: Success in business or career can actually be dangerous and deceive us to thinking we’re better than we really are or better off than we are. I feel like I’ve got it made and forget about God. With an earthly perspective rather than heavenly, he focused all his energy on this life. He was very likely considered to be very successful by his friends – maybe he was on the cover of Forbes magazine! We should admit it. We look up to people like this. Our culture honors those who make money. They write the books, lead the seminars, do the “Infomercials”.
b. We get a false sense of security. If I just get enough and hold on to it, I’m secure.
(verse 18) "I will do this: pull down my barns, build greater barns and store all my crops and goods.
1) If possessions here are what matter and I’m the owner then it makes sense to get as much as I can and hold on to it as tightly as I can. The problem is I don’t really own any of it. Just like greed dominates me, hoarding deceives me into thinking things bring peace and freedom when what I really get is worry and bondage.
Illustrate: You don’t really own your possessions, they own you. Dog lovers don’t take offense. Nobody owns a dog! Ever wonder why dog’s are man’s best friend? If someone waited on you hand and foot, gave you food and drink whenever you wanted it, played with you when you were energetic, walked you when you needed to be walked, followed you around cleaning up your little (big) offerings in the grass; wouldn’t you be their best friend? You don’t own a dog any more than you own a home, a car, a refrigerator, clothing, stock, etc. Everything we think we own just adds another level of responsibility to life – to clean, repair, monitor, maintain, or store – we need bigger barns!
2) Stuff has a way of growing wings. i.e. many people stored gobs of money in the stock market and lost their fortunes overnight.
(verse 20) "God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’"
c. False measure of satisfaction.
(verse 19) "I will say to my soul, ’Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’"
1) "Ahh, this is the life!" It doesn’t get any better than this! I can rest, I’ve got it all. What if it all suddenly disappears?
2. The big lie – short term gains surpass eternal rewards.
(verse 21) "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Matthew 6:20 "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
a. Jesus taught us to store up treasures in heaven, seek first God’s kingdom, learn to use God’s blessings, make wise eternal investments, and grow in generosity because it’s not ours!
b. Storing treasure in heaven is so liberating! I never have to decide whether to write the tithe check. First of all, it’s not mine, so I don’t have any say in whether or not I give it. Secondly, money loses its power over me when I’m faithful and generous in giving. Thirdly, when I invest in kingdom purposes, I deposit in the bank of heaven. It begins with tithes, offerings, and faith promises but goes further when I understand all of my possessions are God’s. The tiller in my shed is His so I have no problem letting others use it, the fishing poles in my garage are his, so I’ll loan them to anyone, etc.
Note: Scripture does not condemn wealth. One can be fabulously rich and also rich toward God. By the same token one can be dirt poor and focused only on oneself. It’s about the heart.
c. Three attitudes that yield riches toward God.
1) Gratitude.
2) Contentment.
3) Generosity.
When riches make you think that’s all there is,
It’s time to be certain – It’s Not Yours!
Conclusion. Let’s do a little self examination. Imagine you win $1 million from the Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes. What would you do with it? Be honest. Is your first thought all the great stuff you could buy, the fun stuff you could do, the nest egg for retirement, or a bigger house? Or would you first ask what God would want you to do with it, since He blessed you with it? It’s not that God doesn’t want us to enjoy life, but He provides so we can provide for others, He blesses so we can be a blessing. The man in the parable didn’t even stop to consider why he got such a bumper crop. He just assumed it was all for his benefit.
If we grasp the first principle of Heavenomics, we’ll be well on the way to eliminating so much economic stress from our lives. The best part of understanding it’s not yours is realizing that even we, ourselves, are not our own. We’ve been bought with a price paid in full by Jesus on the cross. This is wealth that will not be taken away. It comes when we recognize that sin separates us from God and we can’t correct that by our own effort. Then by faith we trust that Jesus will forgive our sin and accept us into His family. That is what it means to be rich toward God. Once I surrender my life to Him, I can begin to turn over everything else. Why not? It’s not mine! Does anyone want to surrender to Jesus today?
What one thing can you do this week to release your grip on the world’s wealth? I invite you to ask the Lord to show you what could change in your attitude this week. Are you working too much? Is shopping too prominent in your lifestyle? Do you give enough of yourself to your family, church, unsaved acquaintances or are you too distracted by the need for more? What if all of us turned loose of God’s stuff? How fast could we build this new building, how many missionaries could we send, how much freedom would we each experience in growing in the riches of our relationship with God and with each other?
