“Jesus and Money” (Part 2)

On Monday, we began our study of some of the parabolic teaching of Jesus on the topic of money. Today, we turn to the parable of the rich farmer and his bumper crop in Luke 12:13-34. It’s helpful to tap into the wisdom of Jesus when we’re engulfed in a full-blown recession.

Luke 12:13: In the middle of some heavy teaching from Jesus, a listener interrupts. He feels that the family inheritance has not been handled fairly and that he has been shortchanged. The Lord refuses to get involved in settling estates, but He does see that the real problem is the man’s attitude. Underneath his request for justice lies a struggle with greed. Jesus confronts this issue with a story.

Luke 12:14-15: He says to this brother and the crowd of listeners, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (NASB). We can come to Jesus with a problem and miss the opportunity to become His follower!

Luke 12:16-21: To address the underlying issue of greed, Jesus tells the familiar story of a farmer who was blessed at harvest time with a bumper crop. Faced with this abundance, he decides that the road to take is spelled expansion! He plans on bulldozing the old barns to make way for bigger and better facilities. At the same time, he senses that this is the season to retire. He will have plenty in the new barns to provide for a wonderful retirement. There is no mystery about how he will spend his time and money. He describes it as, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” (v.19, NKJV). In other words, let the good times begin! He is essentially a self-centered, materialistic individual, without a thought about God. The community may view him as a winner, but to God he’s a loser. He will lose his farm and barns and retirement and his very life! He completely missed the opportunity to be rich toward God.

Luke 12:22-34: What can we glean from this parable? Is there a word from Jesus for those who have not been guilty of greed and have been rich toward God? Followers who are not planning expansion but rather are struggling with downsizing—the loss of job or house or retirement dollars? Yes, Jesus has a word for us! With a flashback to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes us to school again. He speaks of birds that are fed and lilies clothed in spectacular “clothing.” We are invited to trust in our heavenly Father, who knows about all our personal needs (v.30). We are far more valuable to Him than birds and flowers. Jesus counsels us to stop worrying about our money and possessions. We are His beloved children. The word for today is “be confident in Him!”

On Friday, we will explore one final parable.