Or, Luke 12:13-33 Or, “The Rich and Powerful Fool” Or, “Redeeming the American Dream”

The American Dream “This American system of ours... gives to each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it.” Al Capone (1899– 1947), U.S. gangster.

The American Dream America has been a land of dreams. A land where the aspirations of people from countries cluttered with rich, cumbersome, aristocratic, ideological pasts can reach for what once seemed unattainable. Here they have tried to make dreams come true…” Daniel J. Boorstin (US Historian, “The Image”, 1961) Million

Fool’s Gold Real Gold He said to them, "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." Luke 12:15

Can You Be Rich, Powerful AND a Fool?

Lk. 12:16-19 A rich and powerful man Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.”’

Can You Be Rich, Powerful AND a Fool? Lk. 12:16-19 A rich and powerful man… Lk. 12:20 Yet he was a fool!

Can You Be Rich, Powerful AND a Fool? Lk. 12:16-19 A rich and powerful man… Lk. 12:20 Yet he was a fool! Lk. 12:21 Because he ignored God. “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21

Can You Be Rich, Powerful AND a Fool? Lk. 12:16-19 A rich and powerful man… Lk. 12:20 Yet he was a fool! Lk. 12:21 Because he ignored God. His view of life was distorted… His Reality “I don’t have room for all my crops.” “I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.” “Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat…” I’ll say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come.” God’s Reality The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1 The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours—you created it all. Psalm 89:11

Can You Be Rich, Powerful AND a Fool? Lk. 12:16-19 A rich and powerful man… Lk. 12:20 Yet he was a fool! Lk. 12:21 Because he ignored God. His view of life was distorted… His Reality “I don’t have room for all my crops.” “I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.” “Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat…” I’ll say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come.” God’s Reality The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1 The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours—you created it all. Psalm 89:11 Insanity “My life, my things, my way…”“My life, my things, my way…”Sanity “The earth is the Lord’s,…”“The earth is the Lord’s,…”

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 iron pyrite – the most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust Pleonexia - greed, insatiableness, avarice, covetousness; pleon (earnest; more) & echo (to have; hold)

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, he is like a man building a house…and that house and could not be shaken, because it had been well built. Luke 6:47-48

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you!’ He must have known this was coming! Why would he fail to prepare for it? He was indifferent / oblivious towards God

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 Nothing Wrong Here “…take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' Luke 12:19 Practical Atheism This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God (Lk.2:21) Den’s Story

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes He Missed a Lot!

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 27 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” Who do you trust? The heart of the issue

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed…" Luke 12:15 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Who do you trust? The heart of the issue God Is Rich! …city was pure gold, like clear glass. Revelation 21:18

'I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come…"' Luke 12:19 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you…' Luke 12:20

Entitlement: the American Way For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks… Romans 1:21 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; Romans 1:26

"So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21

Hi-Value Relationship how much more valuable you are than the birds! Luke 12:24 Stop Worrying, Start Trusting! and do not keep worrying. Luke 12:29 Hi-Value Kingdom "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:31

How to Win Beyond Winning How to Win, No Matter How Great the Opposition. Listening to God before you screw it all up!

Grace Entitlements Grace offends the “entitlement” thinkers