Day 14
Luke 12:15–21 (NET)
Then he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
He then told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.”
He then told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.”
In this parable, Jesus is challenging our ideas. We tend to take comfort in our financial wellbeing or we long for the security that wealth offers. And that is saying nothing of desiring the pleasure, comfort, ease, and influence that money and possessions tempt us with. But Jesus warns us that life isn’t about money or possessions.
Why?
Because an abundance of money can convince us that we, ourselves, provide our security, our comfort and our life. We can start to believe that we are our own provider and that our possessions are indicators of our status and achievement in life.
We can build a life on the foundation of our own self and our own achievement. We can forget that God is life, that He is the provider and that all that is in the earth belongs to Him! Our attention can be so caught up in gaining money, possessions and achievements, that we forget to gain what God counts as riches. We can be deluded into a false sense of security believing that our finances, our job or what we invest in can protect us from hardship and can provide us with comfort and pleasure. We begin to think that our work, our skills, our smarts, etc. are what got us to this place of plenty and we then depend on ourselves, think about ourselves and live a life centered around ourselves.
But Jesus warns us that our possessions and our money and the security, comfort, company and pleasure they bring is not what life is about. Earthly riches do not equal abundant life. The wealthy man in Jesus’ parable was self-centered and greedy. He thought his possessions and wealth brought him security. His money bought him comfort, company, and pleasure but it could not buy him life. His wealth did not buy him knowledge of God or riches in the kingdom of God.
The reality is that life is found only in God. God is life, brings life, and sustains life. God is our foundation, our security, our comfort and our provider. All of our abilities, our skills and our life comes from Him! If we build a life centered around ourselves, we miss the kingdom of God. God is calling us to lay down the false sense of security that comes from earthly wealth and instead find our security in him. Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, rather life is found in Jesus (John 14:6)! A secure life is found in knowing and obeying Jesus (Luke 6:46-49).
Why?
Because an abundance of money can convince us that we, ourselves, provide our security, our comfort and our life. We can start to believe that we are our own provider and that our possessions are indicators of our status and achievement in life.
We can build a life on the foundation of our own self and our own achievement. We can forget that God is life, that He is the provider and that all that is in the earth belongs to Him! Our attention can be so caught up in gaining money, possessions and achievements, that we forget to gain what God counts as riches. We can be deluded into a false sense of security believing that our finances, our job or what we invest in can protect us from hardship and can provide us with comfort and pleasure. We begin to think that our work, our skills, our smarts, etc. are what got us to this place of plenty and we then depend on ourselves, think about ourselves and live a life centered around ourselves.
But Jesus warns us that our possessions and our money and the security, comfort, company and pleasure they bring is not what life is about. Earthly riches do not equal abundant life. The wealthy man in Jesus’ parable was self-centered and greedy. He thought his possessions and wealth brought him security. His money bought him comfort, company, and pleasure but it could not buy him life. His wealth did not buy him knowledge of God or riches in the kingdom of God.
The reality is that life is found only in God. God is life, brings life, and sustains life. God is our foundation, our security, our comfort and our provider. All of our abilities, our skills and our life comes from Him! If we build a life centered around ourselves, we miss the kingdom of God. God is calling us to lay down the false sense of security that comes from earthly wealth and instead find our security in him. Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, rather life is found in Jesus (John 14:6)! A secure life is found in knowing and obeying Jesus (Luke 6:46-49).
Prayer Focus for today:
Where are you relying on yourself instead of on God? Write down those areas as a confession.
Ask God to teach you about his version of abundant life.
Where are you relying on yourself instead of on God? Write down those areas as a confession.
Ask God to teach you about his version of abundant life.
Posted in Month of Prayer 2026
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