What are Your Retirement Plans?
Luke 12:13-21
Why do material possessions have an adverse effect on God’s expectations of us? The laws of perspective are such that a small thing in front of our eyes shuts out the image of a larger thing off in the distance.
In Luke 12:13-21, we see a rich and successful farmer who makes retirement plans without taking God into consideration…
SOME HEARTS ARE INTERTWINED WITH THIS WORLD – 12:13:
This man was wanting Jesus to step into a sibling rivalry and take his side.
LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST OF POSSESSIONS – 12:14-15:
First, Jesus deflects the question. As Morris writes, “He came to bring people to God, not to bring property to people” (230).
The problem was one of greed. Greed can lead us to believe that our material possessions are proof that God approves of our behavior. It can also be the ultimate source of our confidence. Either position is wrong.
JESUS’ PARABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE POINT – 12:16-20:
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This farmer has not sinned in becoming a wealthy farmer. On the contrary, he seems to have been quite adept at using his resources wisely. In that regard, he is a model of practical thinking and forward vision.
But his problem comes in verse 17. Count the number of “I’s” and “my’s” in verses 17-19. I think of Jimmy Stewart’s character Charlie Anderson in the movie “Shenandoah” when he prays:
“Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvest it. We cook the harvest. It wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be eating it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we’re about to eat, amen.”
Does verse 19 describe your retirement plans? “Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” What could the farmer have done with his extra crops? What do we do with our extra time, resources, funds? This is a simple example of ungodliness (Rom. 1:18) – simply leaving God out of your plans.
JESUS’ CONCLUSION – 12:21:
So what is Jesus’ final conclusion? The selfish pursuit of wealth is pointless. When the end comes, the question will be: Are your treasures laid up in heaven?
Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth. Place your heart, your mind, your finances in the service of God. He’ll reward you richly.
–Paul Holland
