Jesus was teaching the people and Someone in the crowd said, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness (pleonexia: greedy desire to have more), for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:13, 15)
Then Jesus told them a story (parabolē: comparison, illustration): “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and BUILD BIGGER ONES. Then I’ll have room enough…And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But GOD SAID TO HIM, ‘You fool! YOU WILL DIE THIS VERY NIGHT. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person IS A FOOL to store up earthly wealth BUT NOT HAVE A RICH RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.” (Luke 12:16-21)
John said, “We proclaim to you what we have SEEN AND HEARD, so that you also may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3). To know God brings about sharing that knowledge with others. “We write this to make OUR JOY COMPLETE” (1 John 1:4). John goes on to say, “If we walk in the light…we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, PURIFIES US FROM EVERY SIN” (1 John 1:7) “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. HE WHO DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, for GOD IS LOVE. (Not just any kind of love but agapē: the highest form of love, the love that moved God to send His only son for the world’s redemption.) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON into the world, that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:7-9)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham