LUKE 12:13-21

Read: Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”


DISCUSS

  1. What stood out to you from the passage?

  2. What does Jesus mean when he says, “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”?

  3. Why is greed or covetousness often hard to see in ourselves? How might it take hold of us without us noticing?

  4. What is foolish about the rich man in the parable? What does he fail to consider?

  5. Why does death expose the limits of wealth?

  6. How should remembering eternity change the way we think about money, comfort, and security?

  7. What do you think it means to be “rich toward God”?

  8. How does the gospel reshape what we see as true riches?
    (Read 2 Corinthians 8:9)

  9. What would it look like to use money in a way that shows God is your treasure?

Apply

  1. Read over the following statements. To what extent do you resonate with them? Are any particularly descriptive of your heart?

  • “I find myself thinking my future happiness or contentment will be determined by my financial wellbeing.”

  • “I often find myself comparing myself to those who have more than me.”

  • “I make myself feel better through buying things or building wealth.”

  • “The thought of losing my money or possessions fills me with fear.”

  • “I don’t enjoy being generous.”

    2. What is one practical way you could loosen your grip on money or possessions this week?

    3. How can our group help each other resist the lie that life is found in having more?

Prayer

Pray that God would help you treasure Christ above wealth, hold possessions loosely, and use what he has given you for his kingdom and the good of others.