When you travel or head out for a day trip, do you prefer to carry more things (in terms of weight/volume; number of items - bags, accessories, etc), or do you prefer to carry light and have just enough to deal with? If your answer is to carry light and just enough, then realize that this entire life in the flesh is just a longer version of your trip or day out. Towards the end of your life's journey, you'll be glad that you carried less or just enough. And when you have a bit more, it should feel good to have the means to share and give away some of the surplus.
If you were going on a short vacation, to a remote island somewhere, and you knew that you could freely use all of its resources and amenities, would you store more than you need? Knowing that you're there for a brief duration and you can't bring anything on the way back home, why would you hoard anything from your trip?
Matthew 8:20 "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the SON of man hath not where to lay His head."
Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth."
Christ has dominion over the Earth. He is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, and every knee shall bow to Him. Our FATHER owns everything and the Earth is His footstool. GOD is in control and He owns it all. Your very breath is from GOD, and every material, every possession, is from Him. He doesn't need man, but man needs Him.
Jesus bored the sins for all those that would believe on Him and repent, yet the Savior owned very little in material possessions. Jesus borne our griefs, carried our sorrows and was wounded for our transgressions (Isa 53:4-5). Through His stripes we are healed (Isa 53:6). Christ carried the heavy burden of our sins and shed His blood on the cross for us. He carried heavy, yet He carried light. Jesus was the perfect steward.
Instead of trying to accumulate as many material things as possible, try owning as little as you can. Be more minimalist and less of a hoarder.
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."
covetousness = G4124. pleonexia (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah); From G4123; avarice, that is, (by implication) fraudulency, extortion: - covetous (-ness) practices, greediness. G4123. pleonektēs (pleh-on-ek'-tace); From G4119 and G2192; holding (desiring) more, that is, eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder): - covetous (Strong's Concordance).
avarice = extreme greed for material wealth.
When wealth/material accumulation and worldly comfort is the end game, or main desire, for a man, he lives his life without purpose and meaning. Those material objects become his idols and his face is turned away from GOD. Thinking he doesn't need the CREATOR, the man turns his worship to the creation.
Luke 12:16 "And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:"
When Jesus speaks, we listen, absorb and meditate on His teachings. When your crops flourish from the former and latter rain, given by GOD, give Him the credit, honor and thanks.
Luke 12:17 "And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?"
This foolish, wealthy man "thought within himself" and never sought GOD for guidance and counsel. He doesn't understand stewardship and that man owns nothing, for if he did, he would be able to carry his possessions out of this world (death). Man is not an owner, but a trustee, because GOD is the inalienable Owner of all.
Luke 12:18 "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."
He has no room in his carnal mind for contentment, therefore, his barns (plural) weren't good enough for him. He didn't bother to find out if someone else was down on their luck and could use a little help. Take note, this parable doesn't say that the man had ill-gotten gains. Greed and the love of money are evil enough.
Luke 12:19 "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."
This man places his confidence, trust and security in himself and temporal things. So convinced of his worldly wisdom and the strength/security of his goods, he tells himself that he can take it "easy" from now on with a new retirement nest. Planning for the future and being financially responsible are good traits, but don't put yourself into bondage over material gain or have your life be controlled by greed. He plans his life according the ways of this world, as if he were a little god, knowing exactly what tomorrow brings. Yet, his planning is shortsighted and fallible.
Luke 12:20 "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?"
Luke 12:21 "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward GOD."
The rich man is actually poor. The world is backwards, supposing gain is godliness. Those folks around you that are arrogant and proud in their worldly riches... don't ever be envious of them. Put your trust and confidence in GOD. Jesus CHRIST is Lord and Savior.
Even with all the power and wealth in the world, you still have to eat, sleep, use the bathroom and move around just like everyone else. And unless you're a baby, sick, or the elderly, absolutely no one is going to wipe your butt for you. Your flesh body, just like your material possessions, will return to dust. There's only 16 hours in an average waking day, and even a billionaire is confined to the same number of hours to eat, play and do everyday stuff. He might have a toilet made of gold, and dead presidents to use as toilet paper, but his poop stinks just like everyone else on the planet. Not even a billion dollars can truly reverse aging or even cure a stomach flu. How powerful do you think you can be, when a simple flu or headache can put you out for the day, or even for a week? Money and material wealth cannot buy you salvation, peace of mind or good health.
Peace in CHRIST JESUS,
Spread-the-Truth
Mr baptist.
