RICH TOWARD GOD

LUKE 12:16-21

This parable is about a man who had nothing spiritually and lost everything materially.

So many times we judge our success by the things we have in life.

God never views our success by the things we have but by our spiritual activity, e.g. Bible learning and living, prayer, faithfulness, etc.

This man had   ABUNDANCE – V.16,

                        AMBITION – V. 17

                        ARROGANCE – V. 18, 19

                        ABSENCE OF GOD – V. 20

Let’s focus on verse 21 – “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

How to be rich toward God;

I.                  RICH IN CHARACTER.

A.    Character defined - the set of qualities that make somebody or something distinctive, especially somebody’s qualities of mind and feeling

B.     Biblical character

1.                  FAITH - James 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

2.                  GOOD WORKS - 1 Timothy 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

3.                  BLAMELESS & HARMLESS - Philippians 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

4.                  HUMBLE - 1 Peter 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

II.              RICH IN CONTENTMENT.

A.    The lack of contentment of the rich man.

B.     With godliness is great gain.

1.                  1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

C.     Areas of contentment.

1.                  Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

2.                  1 Timothy 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

III.          RICH IN COMPASSION.

A.    Toward God

1.                  Mark 12:30-31  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

B.     Toward others

1.                  1 Corinthians 12:25-26  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.