The Folly Of Greed

The Folly of Greed

March 8, 2026, Morning 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: Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.(1Co 6:9-10)

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

a. Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Vs 15

b. Earthly treasures are temporary and unreliable. Matthew 6:19 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Everything we cling to here is vulnerable—rust, decay, theft, loss. Nothing material is permanent.

c. True life is found in knowing God, not owning things. John 17:3 — “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life is relational, not material. What we know of Christ matters infinitely more than what we own.

II. The love of money will lead us to all sorts of evil

a. The love of money pulls the heart away from God. 1 Timothy 6:10 — “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…” When money becomes the master, God becomes the afterthought. Greed is not neutral—it is spiritually corrosive.

b. The desire to be rich becomes a spiritual trap. 1 Timothy 6:9 — “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” The problem is not money itself, but the craving for it. That craving blinds and destroys.

c. You cannot serve both God and wealth. Matthew 6:24 — “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and wealth.” Greed demands loyalty. God demands loyalty. Only one can truly rule the heart.

III. We don’t know when God will call us home

a. The rich fool planned for years of ease but died that very night. Luke 12:20 — “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you…” Death does not consult our calendar. God alone knows the number of our days.

b. We must live ready, because Christ will return unexpectedly. Matthew 24:44 — “For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” The uncertainty of His return calls for constant spiritual readiness, not complacency.

c. We must invest in eternity now, because only what is done for Christ will last. Matthew 6:20 — “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” Heavenly treasure is secure, eternal, and guaranteed by God Himself. What we give, serve, sacrifice, and sow for Christ is never lost.

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