Someone once said:
Fred Allen said, "I don’t have to look up my family tree, because I know that I’m the sap!" He also said, "Some movie stars wear their sunglasses even in church. They’re afraid God might recognize them and ask for autographs."
On the other end of the self-confidence scale, Muhammad Ali said, "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." ALSO: "When you are as great as I am it is hard to be humble." ALSO: "I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest."
We live in a self-centered world. As far back as we can remember, we have heard, "You deserve a break today." And "This Bud’s for you." And don’t forget, "Have it your way."
Frank Sinatra summed up the attitude of the age in his big hit:
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and ev’ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.
Notice how many times the word "I" appears in those lyrics.
For the singer to admit, "Regrets, I’ve had a few" would be an understatement. When we make ourselves the center of things, it usually leads to regret and disappointment.
In retirement Ali has suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, a motor-skills illness which has slowed his movement and left him mostly unable to speak in public... imagine the disappointment.
For the time being, I think you would agree that, for the most part, people feel pretty good about themselves; especially in our society. In a recent study, a standardized math test was given to teenagers from six different nations. Besides the math questions, the test asked the youngsters to respond yes or no to the question, "I am good at mathematics." American students scored lowest on the math questions, far behind Korean students, who had the top scores. Ironically, more than three-fourths of the Korean students had answered no to the "I am good at math" question. In stark contrast, however, 68 percent of the American students believed their math skills were just fine. Our kids may be failing math, but they obviously feel pretty good about how they are doing.
Morally, our culture is in precisely the same boat. Cumulative evidence strongly suggests that society is at an all-time moral low. We might expect people¡¦s self-esteem to be suffering as well. But statistics show Americans are feeling better about themselves than ever. In a survey conducted in 1940, 11 percent of women and 20 percent of men agreed with the statement, "I am an important person." In the 1990s, those figures jumped to 66 percent of women and 62 percent of men. Ninety percent of people surveyed in a recent Gallup Poll say their own sense of self-esteem is robust and healthy. Incredibly, while the moral fabric of society is unraveling, self-esteem is thriving.
All the positive thinking about ourselves seems futile in elevating the culture or motivating people to live better lives.
The word ’esteem’ is defined - good opinion, regard; to have a high opinion of, value; to value something as being something.
The self-esteem movement teaches ¡§there are no bad people, just good people who feel badly about themselves." God’s Word tells us that "there is none good; no, not one."
Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy, chapter 3 and verses 1 and 4: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, more than lovers of God;"
Man has no difficulty loving self; the real problem is truly loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
The rich man in our text had a problem with self-esteem. He had too much. He failed to realize that while he was set for life, he was not prepared for death.
The crux of Jesus¡¦ message is found in verse 15. This is the teaching that Jesus wanted to apply. Verses 16-21 are an application of the lesson itself. Let’s take a look at what God’s Word has for us today:
I. First, we see the DILEMMA (v13-17) The harvest us so rich, that the rich man has no place to store his crops. Verse 15 states, "take heed," and "beware."
We see in verse 16 that he was blessed in life. "Brought forth plentifully." He obviously was away from God. This is in conflict with the "name-it-and-claim-it" teachings of today. Just as "bad things happen to good people" good comes to those who do not know Christ. The Lord "rains on the just and the unjust." Keep in mind that the "bad stuff" still falls under the "all things" promise of Romans 8:28 for the true child of God. It is not the experience itself that we are to find joy in. Rather, it is in the promised result - "works together for good to them that love the Lord."
I know, given I trust in Him to get me through the experience, that I will come out of it more tempered, more refined, better equipped for His good work.
In verse 17 we see the sin of man in full bloom - PRIDE. He thought within himself-= he was "puffed-up" at his accomplishments. "My fruits...bestow..." Bestow = store for my own use.
PRIDE is the fertilizer which lies at the root of every sin. Lucifer, Adam, the Rich Fool, etc.
II. Next, we see the DECISION. He will solve his problems by building new and bigger barns. In verse 18 we see the farmer had "I" problems. In fact, we see the first person 5 times in verse 17, 7 times in verse 18 and 3 times in verse 19. Never do we find the man considering God.
Edgar Allen Poesaid, "I have great faith in fools; My friends call it self-confidence."
III. In verse 19, we witness the DELUSION. The farmer now makes two (2) fatal errors:
1. He assumes he has many years to live.
2. He assumes material goods will satisfy the soul.
He says, "I will say to my soul..." Jeremiah 3:21 says, "A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God."
There is a fatal flaw in the attribute of self-confidence. This man trusted in self for living and failed to trust in the Lord for eternity. The dress rehearsal went well, but the drama of his life was truly a tragedy.
IV. Something we need to recognize here is the progression of the day. When facing the dilemma, we are faced with a decision. When we allow delusion to fog our focus, only DESTRUCTION can be the outcome. Verse 20 reminds us that judgment is usually nearer than we think; God takes his soul that night.
What a reminder, in the statement, "then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?" God’s judgment on selfishness is clear. What did the rich fool have for the next life? He could take his grain with him. What he had accumulated was worthless in eternity. This man lost everything that he had acquired and accumulated throughout his life, in one single day.
V. Now, in verse 21, we are reminded of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." So we see the DEFINITION: To be rich toward self without the greater priority of being rich toward God is to be a double loser.
Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 are twin verses. In these two verses we find the exact statement: "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." The significance of repetition...
Proverbs 12:15 states, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
Our need is not for greater "self-esteem" but for a realization of the need to esteem God. Not for a confident "self-sufficiency," but to understand that our sufficiency is in the Lord.
Deuteronomy 15:8, "But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth."
2 Corinthians 3:5, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"
2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Where this farmer displayed self-confidence, he should have exercised God-confidence.
Psalm 118:8, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man [SELF]."
Proverbs 14:26, "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge."
1 John 2:28, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
Conclusion: What is the source your sufficiency?
Where does your security lie?
What are you holding to that will make a difference in eternity?
ILLUSTRATION: The Monkey Trap...
Christian, are there areas of your life where you are counting on self more than you are the Lord?
Prayer & Invitation
