Title: Lenten Words (5) Abandon greed...
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Abandon greed and live a self-sufficient life (Luke 12:13-23)
A person with social skills who can live with neighbors
I would like to hear some analogies through the created life. ① He is a vegetative person who only receives what he gives and does not act. It is a life lived with passive and childish thinking in everything. ② Parasite life is parasitic by attaching to others. It is a life that is dependent on others rather than trying to live independently. Furthermore, he is a human being who detoxifies others by sucking other people's blood. ③ Animals and humans that find food on their feet. He is a human being who knows only himself, even if he does not harm others. ④ It is a personal person created in the image of God. They are human beings with social skills who can live with their neighbors while obeying God's sovereignty and providence.
One day a pig came to the cow and complained. "Why am I not popular with people?" Why don't people praise you when they praise you so much? You only give me milk and butter, but I give you everything and even boil my pig's feet! But why don't people like me? why do i like you more than me Hearing this, the cow thought for a long time before replying: “Perhaps because I give while I am alive.” Yes. What will we do tomorrow? is important, but how you live now is even more important.
Someone said, "Why is everyone accusing me of being stingy? After I die, I want to donate all my fortune to a charitable fund." Obviously, he is not living a life like a cow. There is a saying in the world, "I'm not afraid of people who say I'll see you tomorrow". Like cows, we should live a life of giving while we are alive. If you do something wrong when you live with the wrong view of life, you will be troubled in illusions like a pig, and you will end up with a dull life without joy. We must take seriously the words of Jesus that point out the "wrong view of happiness" in the text.
A person's happiness does not necessarily lie in the abundance of possessions.
In verse 13, the younger brother, who had been deprived of his father's share of his inheritance, asked Jesus to retrieve it. Then Jesus pointed out, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). The word translated life here can be changed to "happiness" to say that "a man's happiness does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
It is said that the true life and the true life have nothing to do with how much wealth we have. After saying these words, the Lord immediately told the parable of "the foolish rich man." One of the biggest misconceptions about happiness, then and now, is that people try to find happiness in possessions. No I will do much more now than I did then. People have a strong desire to be happy, so they will do anything for happiness. Therefore, if a person has a wrong view of happiness, he is bound to do bad things without hesitation. Those who set the standard of happiness as possessions, if it is for possessions or for money, there is no recognition, no mercy, no betrayal or betrayal.
The rich man in the parable of the Lord is a man with a genius brain for collecting money, but the Lord called this rich man a fool. Because no one knew except him. The word “I or I” is repeated six times in the text. He had no neighbors, no society, and of course no God. He only knew how to collect, but not how to write. Even if the warehouse was full and overflowing, they did not know how to give to their neighbors. He was completely delusional. It was his effort to produce abundantly, and he thought that material peace of mind was sufficient, and that even life would be extended by the grain of the barn. Indeed, he was poor. Although he looked like a rich man physically, he was truly poor in the sight of God spiritually. You must not tolerate the foolishness of this rich man in your heart.
Greed is the most common sin of mankind. Greed is like a virus. It is a sin that causes us to forget God, the Lord of our lives. God does not teach that poverty is a virtue. Nor does he oppose the hard work of living for material wealth. Nevertheless, what God is wary of warns of the folly of greed, forgetting God, the owner of everything.
Greed is the most common sin of mankind.
Verse 13, the greed of the older brother: the greed of the rich, verse 14, the greed of the younger brother: the greed of the poor
His parents failed to properly inherit the property and he died suddenly. But the older brother also stole the younger brother's share. The younger brother, who thought it was unfair, came to Jesus and asked for the portion that was stolen from him. However, Jesus taught us about the essential problems of life, not about fair distribution. "Avoid all covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (verse 15). There are those who have more and those who have little, greed. But greed is a sin that harms people's lives.
A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
The Greek word for “life”, “zoe” (ζω?), does not simply mean biological life, but “quality life,” that is, a life full of meaning, reward, and joy. Therefore, Jesus’ words are “ A happy life is not simply about possession.”
Greed is a sin that fuels our selfishness by saying, “A little more!”
"A little more" Everyone says they'll quit when they have a little more, but the truth is, you have to die a little longer. A pathological egoist is like a car with a broken brake. is. Greed is a sin that causes severance from neighbors, saying, “If only I can live well.” The word that appears most in verses 16-19 is “I”.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were also rich. But it is a sin to live a good life "only me". The parable of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus teaches us the value of indifference toward our neighbors. The rich man in the Bible today has no neighbors. Greed is the sin of closing the door with one's neighbor. What are the "forgotten words" in the rich man's language? The meaning of my existence is you. I only have the meaning of existence in my relationship with you. There must have been a lot of people around him before he became rich. You cannot be rich alone. A lot of farmers helped. The idea that "it's enough to pay you" is wrong. I need to know that I am because of you.
To overcome greed, you must live as the tithing god. The spirit of tithing includes “tithing for offerings,” “tithing for dinner parties,” and “tithing for alms.” The spirit that emphasizes “sharing” is tithing. When the crops were harvested, some of the corners of the fields were reserved for the strangers and the poor. It was for the poor that the owner should not pick up the gleanings. Our ancestors in the old days plucked the fruit of the tree, leaving fresh rice. It is the very natural teaching of God that the modern church shares and serves with its neighbors. If you pay tithing, you must live the spirit of tithing.
Greed is a sin that causes us to forget God, the Lord of our lives. We are stewards, not masters. Both life and wealth belong to God. It is a life that is temporarily borrowed. Therefore, it must be managed well according to the will of the owner. Covetousness is self-worship and idolatry, living in oblivion to God, my master." Kill the members of the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil lust, and covetousness. Covetousness is idolatry. For these are the wrath of God. ” (Colossians 3:5-6). What do Christians eat? what to drink what to wear There is no point in worrying about it. It is the anxiety of Gentiles who do not have God (Matthew 6:25-33). Greed is a challenge to the Lord.
true rich man
“I am not saying this because I am in need, but in any circumstance I have learned to be content. . I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).
A true Christian is one who is content with Christ alone. Is Christ your only savior and hope? So what more do you need? What more do you need that Christ is my everything? Who is your owner and who is your CEO? Only God is your true owner. Christ is your CEO. I am just a steward of God. Do you agree here?
God doesn't say we don't need material things. But he told me to manage things properly. Man is the object of love, and material is the object of use. Love material things and don't use people. The idea of "As long as I live well" is the monologue of a foolish rich man. A life of tithing, not suffering from coveting possessions, but being free by sharing, and being content with Christ is the true wealth.
Gratitude opens the gates of heaven. Gratitude is the key that unlocks the gates of heaven. The bountiful harvest of the field is a great grace that God has bestowed upon us. The grain that is poured out so that there is no place to store it must be stored up in the heavenly storehouses. Our life and the rest of our souls are in the midst of God. If you only received the Lord's love and didn't know how to thank Him, or if you just listened to the Lord's words and failed to put them into practice, you should ask Heavenly Father for forgiveness and strive to live faithfully for the Lord.
antinomy
Sometimes we become more abundant because of our shortcomings. I wondered if I didn't ask a handicapped person for directions and then say, 'He's a bad guy,' when he passed by without saying a word, and I said, 'Nowadays, standing next to a young man with poor legs who sits on a bus with prosthetic legs. Young people, even adults don't know." I hope that it can be a Lenten season that you think deeply about again.