I have heard it said (and personally witnessed this statement to be true) that some of the happiest, most content people on this earth are those who do not have much, and some of the most unhappy, unsatisfied people are some of the wealthiest people here on earth. This is because those who do not have much understand that our money and the things we can buy with it cannot bring us value, true contentment, or life. True life, value, and contentment come from God and God alone.
Jesus warned against placing our value, contentment, and worth in our money and the things it can buy to a listening crowd in Luke 12. In this passage of Scripture, a man in the crowd of those listening to Jesus teach said, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me” (verse 13). Now, one might expect Jesus to agree with this man and do exactly what he asked, but instead, Jesus issued a warning. He said, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that…Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (verse 14-15). Jesus was teaching the man and the listening crowd that day that life cannot be measured by money or the things it can buy. Our value cannot be found in our wealth. These things are temporary. Our possessions will become antiques one day. The money we have saved up in our bank accounts will not matter to us in eternity. Our value can only be found in the eternal God, the one who created us and this world and everything in it. When we look for our worth in anything else but Him, we will find ourselves empty and dissatisfied. When we look to Him, we will find our value, our satisfaction, and our purpose.
The truth that our value cannot be found in our finances is not to be taken lightly. That’s why Jesus warned us to “guard” against greed. We do this by reminding ourselves that the things of this earth hold no eternal value and looking to God and God alone for our value and our lives. Will you guard against greed by letting go of your pursuit of worth and value in any place but Christ today?
How have you been looking to your finances for value and satisfaction? Confess that to God now. Acknowledge to Him that none of these things can truly add to your worth, value, and satisfaction. Commit to looking to Him and Him alone to define you.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, You alone satisfy. I confess…”
1 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell Yes, he’s the one to fear.
6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
