The Rich Fool (1 of 3)
Series: Rich Toward God
Jeff Strite
Luke 12:13-32
OPEN: The year was 1347. The Black Plague was raging across Europe and people by the 100s and by the 1000s in field and cities all across that part of the world. Some began to suspect the deaths were brought about because of the wrath of God and in one of the cities of Germany (Lubeck, Germany) they determined that they needed to do something to appeal to God for forgiveness. So they began to bring enormous amounts of money, jewels and other riches to churches and monasteries in the area. But there was one monastery that didn't want their offerings. The monks and priests of that monastery were convinced that the money was contaminated with whatever had spread the plague... and so they barred their gates and refused to allow the citizens to enter. But the people were frantic, and so they picked up their valuables - coins, gold, and jewels - and threw them over the walls. But the monks didn't want this wealth so they threw it all back. Then the citizens threw it back inside, and monks threw it back outside. And so it continued for hours - riches were tossed back and forth until the clerics finally gave up and allowed the riches to remain. Within hours, piles 3 to 4 feet high filled the monastery courtyard and for months following the incident - some say for years - the money remained untouched. (''More Fascinating Facts'' by David Louis p. 31)
The monks and priests at that monastery believed this wealth would harm them. They believed these great riches would destroy them. And that was pretty much what Jesus warned His disciples about. ''Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions'' Luke 12:15
This is a repeated theme in Scripture. Paul wrote to Timothy: ''... those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruc ...
Series: Rich Toward God
Jeff Strite
Luke 12:13-32
OPEN: The year was 1347. The Black Plague was raging across Europe and people by the 100s and by the 1000s in field and cities all across that part of the world. Some began to suspect the deaths were brought about because of the wrath of God and in one of the cities of Germany (Lubeck, Germany) they determined that they needed to do something to appeal to God for forgiveness. So they began to bring enormous amounts of money, jewels and other riches to churches and monasteries in the area. But there was one monastery that didn't want their offerings. The monks and priests of that monastery were convinced that the money was contaminated with whatever had spread the plague... and so they barred their gates and refused to allow the citizens to enter. But the people were frantic, and so they picked up their valuables - coins, gold, and jewels - and threw them over the walls. But the monks didn't want this wealth so they threw it all back. Then the citizens threw it back inside, and monks threw it back outside. And so it continued for hours - riches were tossed back and forth until the clerics finally gave up and allowed the riches to remain. Within hours, piles 3 to 4 feet high filled the monastery courtyard and for months following the incident - some say for years - the money remained untouched. (''More Fascinating Facts'' by David Louis p. 31)
The monks and priests at that monastery believed this wealth would harm them. They believed these great riches would destroy them. And that was pretty much what Jesus warned His disciples about. ''Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions'' Luke 12:15
This is a repeated theme in Scripture. Paul wrote to Timothy: ''... those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruc ...
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