(before you read: 1. according to Luke 12 “Rich man” are also known as “a covetous person”. 2. Never compare yourself to a characters in the bible, compare yourself to Jesus Christ, some stories in the bible are examples of how people are today, there is nothing new under the sun [Ecclesiastes 1:9].
(INTRO): Jesus Christ tells us what to do with our money, instead of being selfish and thinking about yourself, have a good heart and help people who NEED what you WANT( Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.) Be thankful and not greedy. Pride of life is of the world(1 John 2:16). There is people who NEED somewhere to stay, instead of you trying to look good and have nice things, help someone get something to eat and help people who NEED clothes. (Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.)
(RICH/COVETOUS MAN): If you read Luke 12, Jesus said a parable unto his disciples which is to teach a spiritual lesson, he talks about the Rich man/Covetous man refusing to give up the things, and he also told the rich man he will have treasures above if he did that. The man wanted to be double minded (James 1:8), he wanted to keep what he had at the same time while accepting what God had: [ Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: , 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. , 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.]
(PEOPLE EAGER TO GAIN IS A END TIME SIGN): If you read Job chapter 22, in history Job was a covetous man (biblical example): Job 22:2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? [ Also when ever you start to see people being greedy and unthankful for what they already have, it is an end time sign (2 Timothy 3 will tell you).
(THEIR COVETOUS HEARTS): Ezekiel 33:29 Then shall they know that I am the Lord, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. 30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
(SEEK THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTH): Colossians 3: 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(JESUS TALKS ABOUT RICH MAN[PEOPLE]): Mark 10: 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
sistercolleenwhitaker 