Sermon 

Series: The Stories Jesus Told #5

Sub-title: How does a rich man get to heaven?

Luke 12:13-34

Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."
14 Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" 15 Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."  16 Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.'
18 Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"'   20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'  21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

INTRO Facts and Quotes:

• 15% of everything that Jesus said had to do with money.  More than his teaching on Heaven and hell combined.  
• For God there is a fundamental and inseparable connection between your how we handle our money and our spiritual lives.  
• The average American spends 6 hours a week shopping while only 40 minutes with their children.
• By age twenty we’ve seen 1 million commercials
• In 90% of divorce cases money plays a dominant role.  
• Andrew Carnegie said “millionaires seldom smile.”
• John D. Rockefeller said “I have made millions but they have brought me no happiness.”
• Henry Ford said “I was happier when doing a mechanics job.”

I. Why don’t we like to hear sermons on Money.  (Why I don’t like to preach them)

• If Jesus teaching is correct it is the dearest thing to our heart. (So it’s painful)
• There is so much wrong teaching in the church.  

1. Prosperity Doctrine
2. Coercion (to trick) to give to the church.

• Today’s message for two reasons:

1. It’s in the series.
2. We all have money so we need to be warned about it.  

• What did the wisest man Solomon say about it?  Eccl 5:10-17
  

Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!  12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night's sleep.   13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.

II. There is a direct link between our relationship with God and our material possessions.

• What did John the Baptist tell people?  Luke 3:10-14 

10 The crowds asked, "What should we do?"  11 John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."  12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?"  13 He replied, "Collect no more taxes than the government requires."  14 "What should we do?" asked some soldiers. John replied, "Don't extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay."

• Many verses tell us the same thing.

• God is not happy by the fact that we may think about money more than about Him.
  

III. God is keeping track of what and maybe even how much you give.

• Not in terms of the amount but in terms of your heart.  

• We have to get away from the “as long as I make it attitude.” Or

• Because I’d rather take enjoy all my wealth now instead of later.

• If what the Bible tells us here is true then this may be exactly what we are saying.

IV. You cannot take it with you but you can send it on ahead.

• The interest in Heaven is 10,000%    Matt 19:29-30 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
• Inside tip.
• You don’t see a Container on the way to a grave yard.  
  

V. Don’t worry about money.

• On a percentage basis how much time do we think about money?  
• When I was in Cambodia.  
• Worry about money will not add a day to your life.
  

VI. How to work out the teachings of Jesus in the area of Possessions.

• Come to a place in your mind where everything you have belongs to God.
• If you haven’t started tithe your income joyfully.

1. Give to support your spiritual restaurant.
2. Give to expand the kingdom.
3. Give to the poor and needy.  

• Give according to how the Spirit of God leads you.

GO Question

1. How many times this week you worry about money or your future? Has this become a problem that bothers you?
2. Read Ecclesiastes 5:10 – 17 what do you think about this reading? What does it teach you about money?
3. Do you think it's hard for rich people to enter heaven? Why?
4. Read Luke 3:10-14.  what is your attitude towards your belongings? (especially money)
5. Have you invested in Wahana or Reksadana or any kind of investments? What do you think of the rate of return?
6. Read Matthew 19:29-30. What do you think of what Pastor Jeff said at the sermon? (interest in heaven is 10000 %, storing treasures up in heaven)
7. What can we do not to worry about money or our future? Believe in God's promise. Matthew 6:25-34 

GO Question by: Sinaga Pradjinata