To Have Or To Live

Luke 12:13-21

“To Have or to Live?”

“Life must not be evaluated on the basis of the abundance of possessions.”

Sunday Morning Sermon

02.25.07

Intro: (Start with title and text)

After a very long and boring sermon the church members filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons. “Preacher, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!" The pastor was thrilled. "No-one has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. Tell me why." "Well - it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding and the Love of God because it endured forever!"

Discussion:

We live in a society of more. Our world our society tells us – things are the most important in life – Somehow you are judged by the brand of shoes, the coat you have or don’t have – the house you have, the car that you drive. If someone doesn’t fit, or match up – then somehow they don’t belong.

And when we do that – when we believe that – we hurt our ourselves, our families, our friends and our church.

The society in that time wasn’t much different than today – they probably didn’t know what email was, but the people haven’t changed much. A lot of people will tell you we’ve changed – we haven’t changed. We can, if we look close enough see our lives and society as the same ones in Biblical times. They faced the same problems we have in our society.

Let me take a straw poll – feel free to answer – how many of you want to hear a sermon on Money? You don’t want to hear it any more than I want to preach it. I wasn’t asked to preach this, this is what God has laid on my heart for us. But listen, how you deal with this one topic is a reflection of the way you deal with other things in your life. Probably the reason we don’t like money sermons – is because there has been so much abuse by the church as a whole and preachers. I can promise you this – if you follow everything in this sermon to the last detail – My dog will NOT have an air conditioned dog house. I will not pull up in a Hummer next week because you followed this sermon. This is not a sermon to benefit me. I believe if this church is doing the things God wants us to do – he will supply all our needs – but he supplies through you and me. And if we aren’t on board God will work in spite of us – but we won’t receive the blessing he has intended.

I believe our text this Morning gives us three things – three principles – three ideals about money that if we apply them – they will bless us. Turn with me, if you have your Bibles to (Advance) Luke 12:13-21 (Read) Church, I believe God is waiting to bless you.

(Advance)

I. Watch out for Greed (13-15) (Advance)

Proverbs 28:25 – A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

a. Brother’s request

i. Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me

Who’s being greedy? The one who had the inheritance or the one who wanted more? Was it an issue of fairness or an issue of greed – because of the words that Jesus says – we can know it was an issue of greed.

Here is what the man was thinking –

b. In my possessions

i. I have my identity

ii. I have placed around me the things that determine who I am

iii. Therefore – I have a need for more

Jesus did not come to judge matters of possessions. He did not come to settle money disputes between two people – and let me suggest that is not the church’s job either. Speaking to the wider audience and I believe to us as well he says --

c. Watch Out!

i. Be on your guard against all kinds of greed

ii. The desire for more and more is a temptation for many

iii. The willingness to sacrifice

1. Friends

2. Family

3. Victories

All for the sake of more – is engrained in our society. So you have to ask yourself would I rather “have” or would I rather “live”. Listen, you will make a choice in your work – the hours and hours you spend away from your family. The time not spent with the kids and grandkids. There is nothing wrong with working hard so that you can provide for your family. There is something wholly evil about allowing it to take the place of and rob you of times with your kids. If you have done this in the past – that’s one thing – work to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future.