What problems do you ask Jesus to fix? Our problems might not be THE PROBLEM…

Luke 12:13 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Luke 12:14-15 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Guarding Against Covetousness Parable of The Rich Fool Understanding covetousness Dealing with covetousness

Understanding Covetousness Greek word (pleonexia) πλεονεξίa: a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things than other people have, all irrespective of need—‘greed, avarice, covetousness.’ Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 290–291). New York: United Bible Societies.

Understanding Covetousness Luke 12:16-18 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

Understanding Covetousness Luke 12:19-21 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Understanding Covetousness Effects of Covetousness Potential separation from God – Luke 12:20 Fear and anxiety – Luke 12:21-32 Strife and conflict – James 4

Dealing With Covetousness Know your heart Know your Father’s heart Live by faith

Know Your Heart What goes in your barn? What do you regularly say to your soul? “Soul, if you get ____________, then your life will be fulfilled.”

Know Your Heart What is the purpose of your barn’s contents? My stuff is my stuff and it exists to bring me pleasure. My stuff is God’s stuff and it exists to be used for His glory.

Know Your Father’s Heart 2 Corinthians 8:9 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Live by Faith (Luke 12:22-34) Luke 12:31–33 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.