As I have stated several times before, I’m reading through the life of Jesus using John MacArthur’s book, One Perfect Life. Part of today’s reading from Luke 12:13-34 was on covetousness. Or maybe it was on God’s provision. Guess that depends on one’s perspective. 🙂
Covetousness is the desire to want more, to have more. Stretching it out, covetousness can lead to hoarding, selfishness, misplaced priorities and wrong thoughts and actions. After telling His listeners to beware of covetousness, He tells the parable of the rich fool who was so impressed with what he had that he decided to build more and bigger barns. Building bigger barns was not the issue; the heart of the man wanting them built was. That decision didn’t go so well with him.
But Jesus uses it as a teaching point to tell the people they needed to not pursue earthly things but to be rich toward God. He then gives the teaching about the birds of the air and grain in the field and to seek God’s kingdom first.
I love being a generous person. This covid thing has taught many valuable lessons to all of us if we will listen, but one big one is how quickly earthly things fly away. Covetousness says, “Hold. Gather. Grasp.” Generosity says, “Give. Scatter. Release.” I know it’s much more intricate than that, but the simple way says, “Don’t keep for yourself. Give it away.” I don’t want to be a selfish person, a keeper, a scoop-things-in-close kind of person. I want to be a generous person, a giver, one who sees who he can share with. I have resigned myself to the fact that unless God intervenes, the end of my life may not be (most probably definitely will not be) spent with a silver spoon, a huge RV (not that I would want one anyway), fancy vehicle, and unlimited spending and travel. But to know I gave away what I can’t take with me anyway will be satisfying.
“Father, help me to keep seeking Your kingdom first. Help me to be a giver, not a taker; a distributor, not a hoarder; generous, not covetous. And then leave the future up to You.”
Well spoken.
Thank you MS.
I already see you as this kind of man, Bill. Just keeping your blog going when you had wanted to shut it down shows that you are a man of God who gives, scatters, releases. You ARE a generous man. God bless you.
I’m humbled you would think that Diane. Thank you so much for that kind compliment.
I wonder if the rich young ruler could have possibly given everything away? The Gospel says he went away sad because he had many possessions. He could have at least tried, but his heart wanted heaven too. Jesus told him that he needed to give everything away, then he could follow him.
I once saw a short movie of a very successful business man. I don’t know if it was a true story, being a short movie I don’t think it was.. anyways he finished up his business day at the office, and said goodbye to his co-workers. They wished him luck. In the next scene he was see in a poor village, it looked like somewhere in Africa. The man was helping the people.
So many of us have that same calling. But so few have the courage to step away from their current places. We don’t need to be the rich man.. we can be just as poor with the door wide open, and yet… be unwilling.
With the words “he went away sad” I’m guessing he could not Ed. But you do bring out a good point. We all have that calling of giving ourselves away. i don’t want to be one who has so much and grasps so tightly that I can’t give it all away to follow Jesus.
I read Living in the Shadow every day.
Thanks Glynn. I do appreciate that.
Store up your treasures in heaven! Very encouraging words and timely as the safer at home orders have kicked off a great deal of focus on providing for one’s self.
You are right Allen. While it has made some more aware of others, it has also bred a “selfish bent” in others.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus at his gate; was Jesus condemning the rich man for being wealthy? Or for totally ignoring poverty at his doorstep?
God bless.
I believe the latter not the former. Plus his cold-heartedness toward Lazarus.
I do hope that I will leave a legacy of generosity when it’s my time to be called by God. May our riches be stored in Heaven.
Blessings, Bill!
I have this sneaking suspicion that what I know of you your hope will be true Martha.