Forbes: America’s 400 Richest A nine-figure fortune won’t get you much mention these days, at least not on these pages This year, for the first time, everyone in The Forbes 400 has at least $1 billionThis year, for the first time, everyone in The Forbes 400 has at least $1 billion The collective net worth of the nation’s wealthiest climbed $120 billion, to $1.25 trillion

after he diesWarren Buffet added 6 billion this year, but will give it and almost everything else he owns to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (after he dies) Husband-and-wife banking team Herbert and Marion Sandler dropped from the rankings after giving away more than $1 billion combined to charityHusband-and-wife banking team Herbert and Marion Sandler dropped from the rankings after giving away more than $1 billion combined to charity

Luke, Riches, and Rich Men Lk.1:53; 6:24; 8:14; 14:12; 16:1, 19; 19:2; 21:1… One of his most famous sections: Lk.12:13-21One of his most famous sections: Lk.12:13-21 “But I’m not rich!” greedtherefore –15, greed; 22, therefore –Not necessarily sinful; it is dangerous –It’s hard not to see ourselves in this story

The rich man’s commendable features 16: not wasteful (successful farmer)16: not wasteful (successful farmer) 16: hard worker (?)16: hard worker (?) 17: planned for his future17: planned for his future 18: spent money to make money18: spent money to make money 19: left the rat race19: left the rat race

I Attitude Determines Destiny, 15 CovetousCovetous (13) sore –A listener exposed a sore (greed) disease –Jesus uncovered a disease Covetousness: greediness, insatiableness, avariceCovetousness: greediness, insatiableness, avarice Col.3:5 –Mt.6:24; 1 Co.5:11

Careless 15, Careless (Beware!) Jesus, the Master Teacher Is life all about money? Consider: –Things do not last –Things do not last, 20 1 Jn.2:15-17 –“New” becomes old –Things do not satisfy –Things do not satisfy, 21 King Saul King Ahab RYR

Self-centered Self-centered, Imy“I” and “my”: –Mymymymy –My barns, my fruits, my goods, my soul Did he ever think of giving? Nabal –OT name Nabal How does a fool speak? –1 Sm. 25:11

Did his riches really matter? –Cotton –Cotton is as warm as silk mat –A mat may be as comfortable as a bed cottage –A cottage can be as cozy as a mansion He could have helped w/o sacrificing these things; did he even think about it?

II Financial Growth Often Stifles Spiritual Growth Me1970s: Me generation We1980s: We generation Some said the 1990s would correct selfishness of 1980s

Materialism – a threat to the soul Hag.1:1-4 –Ignored pursued –Ignored spiritual needs, but diligently pursued personal goals Rv.3:17 –Needed a spiritual mirror

The problem w. earthly plans – they often succeed –Anything –Anything that turns the mind from God is not success. Dt.8:…10-20 –True success –True success is dying right w. God, going to heaven Moses chose a nation of slaves... and poverty, Hb.11:25-26

III Staying Focused On Right Goal Is Difficult Easy to assemble, determine to do better, but then... –The tyranny of the urgent –The tyranny of the urgent takes over urgent important. –Most confuse the urgent for the important. Mt.13:22 cameleye of needleMt.19:23-24, camel... eye of needle –Why so difficult? Possessions may own us – Mt.6:21

IV Some Learn The Lesson Too Late Epicurean18-19, his plans sound Epicurean –Motto –Motto: “Let us eat and drink” –Motive –Motive: “for tomorrow we die” Rich man’s motive: quest for happiness for many years –20, his actual experience –21, purpose: to warn us

Too Late Lk.16 –Rich man must think often of his condition, after it is too late to change anything! –Lk.16:25 = 12:18 Hb.12:16-17 Ja.4:13-15

Mid-life crisis “Half-way through life you see that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall”“Half-way through life you see that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall” The regrets on a misspent life: –Spouse & Children –Career

What made him a fool (13) ? 1.Put body before soul, Lk.12: Sought comfort on thorny soil of wealth 3.Planned for long life in dying world 4.Looked for joy in wrong places