Luke 12:1-21
Q.1. What are key dangers in our spiritual welfare? Can we be confident that God will care for us? – (Lk.12:1-7)
Jesus had been scathingly critical of the Scribes and Pharisees. They re-emerge in every generation through those who offer a hope of salvation by the works of religion. Jesus’ treatment of the leaders did not discourage the crowds. Luke recorded that – under these circumstances, so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another (Lk.12:1). Jesus took the opportunity to warn the people – He began saying to His disciples first of all, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy’ (Lk.12:1). He then explained that in due time all lies and all truth will be exposed for all to see. He further warned them to understand that the stakes are very high and that our words and actions will have permanent and everlasting outcomes – 4 “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Lk.12:4-5). We must see all martyrdom in this light, in order to make sense of human injustices. Also, beyond all these things there is a heavenly Father Who tenderly cares for His own – not one of them is forgotten before God … do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows (Lk.12:6-7).
Q.2. Why is our confession of faith so important? How will God support us in our witness to Him? – (Lk.12:8-12)
Without confession of our faith there would be little spread of the Gospel. Worst of all, by our silence we insult the One Who gave His life for us. Everyone will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father on that final day (c.f. Phil.2:11). The believer’s confession will be reciprocated by Jesus before the angels in Heaven, whereas denying that we belong to Him will result in a denial that we are His children. We need to develop a sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to testify, and to understand that even when we are out of our depth – the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say (Lk.12:12).
Q.3. How did Jesus propose we should resolve inheritance problems? – (Lk.12:13-15)
With such authority on display, someone asked Jesus to resolve an ugly inheritance dispute. Jesus addressed the problem this way – Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions (Lk.12:15). Jesus did not actually focus on the specifics of the inheritance squabble but rather gave a warning. It is easy to cross the line from loss of money to a loss of relationship. Some have prioritised money over the value of a family relationship and others have forfeited both. Greed can destroy precious relationships.
Q.4. Is Jesus opposed to preparing for retirement? What point was Jesus making in the parable? – (Lk.12:16-21)
Not only can we lose out greatly in human and family relationships – we can lose out in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. In driving home the deceitfulness of riches Jesus told a parable about a rich man whom God had prospered greatly (Lk.12:16-21). He planned to store up his fortune, saying – Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry (Lk.12:19). However, the rich man had left God out of his calculations, which was a devastating mistake. As always, God had the final say. The lesson from Jesus is unmistakably clear – So is the man who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (Lk.12:21). Applying the lesson to retirement … We can plan for retirement, focusing on laying up treasures for ourselves, OR we can plan retirement, while keeping our main focus on pleasing God, and laying up treasure in Heaven. To be slothful about saving for retirement is not – being rich toward God. It is not about the amount of money we have, but rather our acknowledgement of the One Who gave it to us and to Whom it belongs.