The Parables of Jesus - Part 8 [Notes]

Jesus was a master storyteller, and He constantly used short stories or parables to communicate spiritual truths to the crowds that gathered to hear Him. When Jesus' disciples asked why He spoke in parables so often, His answer was profound. He said that the same stories that served to open the eyes of the spiritually hungry would have the effect of blinding the eyes of those who refused to believe. By telling parables, the secrets of the kingdom would be revealed to Jesus' disciples, but they would be hidden from His opponents.

Join us this week as we dive into some of Jesus's most memorable stories through our new summer series, "The Parables of Jesus."

Today's Takeaway // Store up treasures in heaven.

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
– 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (HCSB)

But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
– 1 Timothy 6:11 (HCSB)

Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” “Friend,” He said to him, “who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” Then He told them a parable:
– Luke 12:13-16a (HCSB)

...a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another.
– Luke 12:1b (HCSB)

Someone from the crowd said to Him ,“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”
– Luke 12:15b (HCSB)

Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
– Luke 12:16-21 (HCSB)

He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’
– Luke12:17-19 (HCSB)

Greed is an insatiable desire and lust for more and more.
– R.H. Stein

The heavens, indeed, the highest heavens, belong to the Lord yourGod, as does the earth and everything in it.
– Deuteronomy 10:14 (HCSB)

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
– Luke 12:20-21 (HCSB)

You may say to yourself, “My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,” but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth...
– Deuteronomy 8:17-18a (HCSB)

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.
– Psalm 90:12 (HCSB)

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’
– Luke 12:20 (HCSB)

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
– Luke 12:20-21 (HCSB)

“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
– Matthew 6:19-21 (HCSB)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
– Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)

“If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “Go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
– Matthew 19:21 (HCSB)

Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.
–1 Timothy 6:18-19 (HCSB)

Wealth cannot keep us alive when our time comes to die, nor can it buy back the opportunities we missed while we were thinking of ourselves and ignoring God and others.
– Wiersbe

1. Do you think there is anything wrong with being wealthy? Explain your answer. What are some of the pitfalls associated with having wealth?
2. Read Luke 12:13-21. What are some of the mistakes the rich man made when he was blessed with a "bumper crop?"
3. What do you think Jesus meant in Luke 12:15 when he said,“one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions?”How might you apply this parable to your life?
4. Read Matthew 6:19-20, 31 and1 Timothy 6:17-19.What do you think it means to “store up” or “collect” treasure on this earth? What are some practical ways we can store up treasure in heaven?
5. Do you agree with the statement, “If we view our wealth through the lens of eternity, it will lose its grip on us and we will lose our grip on it?” Explain your answer.

Your Love // Praise You Anywhere // Miracle in Me // Gratitude

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