The Folly of Greed
March 15, 2009 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We can’t take it with us, so we better send some on ahead.
Focus Passage: Luke 12:13-21
Supplemental Passage: I Tim 6:6-10
Introduction: “AFFLUENZA” - Men who trap animals in Africa for zoos in America say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ringtailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it's simple. They've been catching this agile little animal with ease for years. The method the Zulus use is based on knowledge of the animal. Their trap is nothing more than a melon growing on a vine. The seeds of this melon are a favorite of the monkey. Knowing this, the Zulus simply cut a hole in the melon, just large enough for the monkey to insert his hand to reach the seeds inside. The monkey will stick his hand in, grab as many seeds as he can, then start to withdraw it. This he cannot do. His fist is now larger than the hole. The monkey will pull and tug, screech and fight the melon for hours. But he can't get free of the trap unless he gives up the seeds, which he refuses to do. Meanwhile, the Zulus sneak up and nab him.
I. Life is more than our possessions
II. The love of money will lead us to all sorts of evil
.
III. We don’t know when God will call us home
Invitation: The pastor was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area.
Pointing to the oil wells dotting the landscape, he boasted, "Twenty-five years ago I had nothing.
Now, as far as you can see, it’s all mine." Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling
fields of grain, he said, "That’s all mine." Turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged,
"They’re all mine." Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, "That too is
all mine." He paused, expecting the pastor to compliment him on his great success. The pastor, however,placing one hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing heavenward with the other, simply said,
"How much do you have in that direction?" The man stared blankly for a moment, then hung his
head and confessed, "I never thought of that."
