Rich Fools

Even if you manage to keep your stuff safe to the end of your life, you will certainly take it no further than the grave. That is why you will never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul or a casket with a trunk for all your junk! Death is the great equalizer that turns millionaires into paupers and paupers into millionaires.

No—you can’t take it with you; but you can send it on ahead. That is what Jesus is reminding us of here in this story of a very wealthy man who spent it all right here with no thought of over there! (Luke 12:13-21, NLT) The point Jesus is making is that those who are not rich toward the things of God in this life will be exposed as fools when they stand before the Great Judge. “Rich fools” now—that is what they really are; simply “fools” on the day of reckoning.

We need to lean into that truth, because that day will come sooner than we think.  The great preacher, G. Campbell Morgan said it so well:

“You are to remember with the passion burning in you that you are not a child of today. You are not of the earth, you are more than dust; you are the child of tomorrow, you are of the eternities, you are the offspring of Deity…You belong to the infinite. If you make your fortune on earth—poor, sorry, silly soul—you have made a fortune, and stored it in a place where you cannot hold it.  Make your fortune, but store it where it will greet you in the dawning of the new morning.”

That is what Jesus was teaching: To break the spell of that which holds our vision and our loyalties here on earth, we need send our investments in advance to heaven. According to Jesus, whatever we generously invest in God’s kingdom on earth will always produce treasure in heaven:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Luke 12:21-24, NLT)

Don’t be a rich fool!  Store up treasure in heaven by making investments in God’s work here on earth. That is what will break the spell of money, power and things in your life—and invest in that which will never lose its value—the eternal things of heaven.

“There is no such merchant as the charitable man; he gives trifles which he could not keep, to receive treasure which he cannot lose.” ~Francis Quarles

What If God Took Over?

John Calvin said, “where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost his authority.” What holds the dominion of your heart?  There is no more important question you will be asked today.