Luke 12
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 12
Our passage today addresses four primary themes—fear, greed, stewardship, and imminency.
The Old Testament essentially equates the fear of the Lord with saving faith. Luke 12:1–12 gets at the heart of those who would deny Christ because of pressure, in this instance from the religious elite. Christ warns of the foolishness of those who can kill the body. Appropriate fear is toward the One who can throw that person to Hell (5).
Then, as Luke told it, someone shouted from the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” Jesus, of course, cuts to the quick and calls this guy out, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed.”
Jesus’ parable is a stiff warning against greed (16–21). Likewise, his teaching in verses 22–32, about God’s provision ends with this statement, “your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Wow! Think about that for a second, that’s a lot that God has given. We have to also ask ourselves, “Since God has given us so much, how should we respond?”
It’s clear that God hates greed—that is, when we love things more than the God who gave us those things. Instead of greed God calls us to steward those things that He has entrusted to us. Verses 33–34 encourages us to invest our resources in eternity, rather than temporary things.
God calls us to stewardship for two reasons: first, as stated above, God has given us so much! Second, Jesus is coming back (35–48). Although we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, I can tell you it’s a lot closer than it was yesterday. The fancy word for the fact that we don’t know when Christ is returning is called “imminency.” We don’t talk a lot about the doctrine of imminency, but we should. It is literally the doctrine that should put the fear of God in you to get you moving—investing in eternity with your finances, sharing Jesus with your neighbors, and basically living in such a way that you’d be happy for Jesus to “catch you” doing whatever it is you’re doing at any particular moment. Imminency is the doctrine that says Jesus could return at any second. Thus, in every second we must be more prepared for Jesus to return than the previous 60 seconds. “everyone who has been given much, much will be required.”
There are two difficult statements in this chapter that become much clearer when we understand these four elements—fear, greed, stewardship, & imminency. First, Jesus tells of the “unforgiveable sin,” which is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (10). This is denial of the Spirit’s work of convicting people that Jesus is the Messiah. In the context, people squelched the conviction and work of the Spirit because of fear of man. Correctly placed fear leads to boldness for Christ, such that when you stand accused the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say (12).
The second hard statement is in verse 51, “Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” You cannot love Christ and live in fear of people. You cannot love money and serve Christ. We must live as though Christ’s return is imminent. That imminency must drive our actions to live moment by moment for him—investing in eternity. So, ask yourself today, “What are you investing in?” and “Is anything holding you back from being a fully devoted follower of Christ?”
By: Tyler Short
Read: Luke 12
Our passage today addresses four primary themes—fear, greed, stewardship, and imminency.
The Old Testament essentially equates the fear of the Lord with saving faith. Luke 12:1–12 gets at the heart of those who would deny Christ because of pressure, in this instance from the religious elite. Christ warns of the foolishness of those who can kill the body. Appropriate fear is toward the One who can throw that person to Hell (5).
Then, as Luke told it, someone shouted from the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” Jesus, of course, cuts to the quick and calls this guy out, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed.”
Jesus’ parable is a stiff warning against greed (16–21). Likewise, his teaching in verses 22–32, about God’s provision ends with this statement, “your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Wow! Think about that for a second, that’s a lot that God has given. We have to also ask ourselves, “Since God has given us so much, how should we respond?”
It’s clear that God hates greed—that is, when we love things more than the God who gave us those things. Instead of greed God calls us to steward those things that He has entrusted to us. Verses 33–34 encourages us to invest our resources in eternity, rather than temporary things.
God calls us to stewardship for two reasons: first, as stated above, God has given us so much! Second, Jesus is coming back (35–48). Although we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, I can tell you it’s a lot closer than it was yesterday. The fancy word for the fact that we don’t know when Christ is returning is called “imminency.” We don’t talk a lot about the doctrine of imminency, but we should. It is literally the doctrine that should put the fear of God in you to get you moving—investing in eternity with your finances, sharing Jesus with your neighbors, and basically living in such a way that you’d be happy for Jesus to “catch you” doing whatever it is you’re doing at any particular moment. Imminency is the doctrine that says Jesus could return at any second. Thus, in every second we must be more prepared for Jesus to return than the previous 60 seconds. “everyone who has been given much, much will be required.”
There are two difficult statements in this chapter that become much clearer when we understand these four elements—fear, greed, stewardship, & imminency. First, Jesus tells of the “unforgiveable sin,” which is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (10). This is denial of the Spirit’s work of convicting people that Jesus is the Messiah. In the context, people squelched the conviction and work of the Spirit because of fear of man. Correctly placed fear leads to boldness for Christ, such that when you stand accused the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say (12).
The second hard statement is in verse 51, “Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” You cannot love Christ and live in fear of people. You cannot love money and serve Christ. We must live as though Christ’s return is imminent. That imminency must drive our actions to live moment by moment for him—investing in eternity. So, ask yourself today, “What are you investing in?” and “Is anything holding you back from being a fully devoted follower of Christ?”
By: Tyler Short
6 Comments
Spot on Tyler! This chapter leaves nothing out about what a true relationship with our Savior should be; in detail, specific as to content, motive, quality and time expectancy. The sad part is that many today do not live with imminency in mind. What a terrible deception for christian service, not because we have to but because we choose to. Choose Christ, live Christ, and expect Christ!
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.
When I was a kid growing up in the 60s and 70s, Billy Graham was the most well known evangelist in the world. Nearly every time his crusades were on television we would watch them as a family. Rev. Graham's dear friend, George Beverly Shea, would often sing His Eye Is On The Sparrow, which is taken from this passage of scripture. As a teenager I would roll my eyes and say, here we go again with GBS singing His Eye Is On The Sparrow. Now I can't read this passage without hearing the song. (it's on YouTube if you've never heard GBS sing it)
There are so many amazing things packed in Luke 12 but this is what speaks to me most today. Think about all the birds in the sky across the world. God has His eye on each one and knows when they fly and when they rest. If that is true, then how much more valued are we made in His image? Sometimes I think we forget how much God loves each one of His 7 billion children on Earth and wants to see all of them trust Jesus as Lord. Thanks for the good word today TS.
Mike, here's a fun fact for the day: CPC supports one of George Beverly Shea's nephews, a missionary who works in Africa with radio ELWA.
Tyler, great word. The whole thing about division always gets me. Truth can be difficult.
Does the Lord answer Peter's question? (v.41)
I think Jesus answered Peter by saying that He's speaking to anyone who will be a wise manager, who is working by faith in the Lord and doing what the Lord has instructed believers to do. "Whoever has ears let him hear." Matthew 11:15
Some convicting stuff here, if we're honest with ourselves. I've had to learn to not worry over the years. There have definitely been times where I have literally lost sleep worrying about things. It has taken time, prayer and scripture for me to fully rely on God, and the outcome of that is so much better. Verse 24 says "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!" Wow! Thankful that God knows our needs and takes care of them in His way and His timing. I can rely fully on Him to give what I need, and He will do it faithfully.