A CERTAIN RICH MAN THAT WAS NOT AS RICH AS HE THOUGHT (7 OF 11)
by Ken Trivette
Scripture: LUKE 12:13-21
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A Certain Rich Man That Was Not As Rich As He Thought (7 of 11)
Ken D. Trivette
Luke 12:13-21
It is not unusual to find someone coming up to Jesus and seeking something from Him. On this occasion we find a brother approaching Jesus and asking him to settle a dispute he was having with a brother over a will. The law in Numbers and Dueteronomy had given specific instructions concerning the division of an inheritance. But, apparently these brothers, in spite of the instructions given were still having a problem about the division.
Rabbi's often settled these kinds of matters. But this brother thought, "I will get Jesus to take care of the problem." The answer he got from Jesus was not what he expected. Jesus said, "Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you" (Vs. 14)? Jesus was saying, "I am not your arbitrator in this case." As someone has suggested, Jesus was telling him that His mission in life was more important than settling disputes about wills. He had not come to settle problems but to save people.
Jesus continued by saying, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness" (Vs. 15). Jesus saw through his motives and warned him about greed and covetousness. The word "covetousness" describes the thirst for having more, always having more and more and still more. It is like a man trying to quench his thirst with salt water. The Romans had a proverb: "Money is like sea-water: the more a man drinks the thirstier he becomes." The words of Jesus seem to suggest that the dispute these brothers were having was because this brother wanted more than what he was given.
Then Jesus followed with one of the most powerful statements He ever made. Of course, all He said was powerful, but this particular statement touches the core of life. Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth" (Vs.15). Jesus was saying to him, "Life is more than wealth, things, and possessions."
There are many people that are rich, yet poor. They have ...
Ken D. Trivette
Luke 12:13-21
It is not unusual to find someone coming up to Jesus and seeking something from Him. On this occasion we find a brother approaching Jesus and asking him to settle a dispute he was having with a brother over a will. The law in Numbers and Dueteronomy had given specific instructions concerning the division of an inheritance. But, apparently these brothers, in spite of the instructions given were still having a problem about the division.
Rabbi's often settled these kinds of matters. But this brother thought, "I will get Jesus to take care of the problem." The answer he got from Jesus was not what he expected. Jesus said, "Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you" (Vs. 14)? Jesus was saying, "I am not your arbitrator in this case." As someone has suggested, Jesus was telling him that His mission in life was more important than settling disputes about wills. He had not come to settle problems but to save people.
Jesus continued by saying, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness" (Vs. 15). Jesus saw through his motives and warned him about greed and covetousness. The word "covetousness" describes the thirst for having more, always having more and more and still more. It is like a man trying to quench his thirst with salt water. The Romans had a proverb: "Money is like sea-water: the more a man drinks the thirstier he becomes." The words of Jesus seem to suggest that the dispute these brothers were having was because this brother wanted more than what he was given.
Then Jesus followed with one of the most powerful statements He ever made. Of course, all He said was powerful, but this particular statement touches the core of life. Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth" (Vs.15). Jesus was saying to him, "Life is more than wealth, things, and possessions."
There are many people that are rich, yet poor. They have ...
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