This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Context: (Luke 12:13-15 NIV)
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool: (Luke 12:16-21 NIV)
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Let’s take a look at verse 21 in two more translations:
(Luke 12:21 NLT)
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
(Luke 12:21 MSG)
“That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.”
(Ephesians 4:28 TPT)
If any one of you has stolen from someone else, never do it again. Instead, be industrious, earning an honest living, and then you’ll have enough to bless those in need.
(Ephesians 4:28 NLT)
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. It is in God’s heart for His children to prosper.
— John said, “Beloved I wish above all things that you will prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2).
— God does want to see us prosper. For us to experience His best, however, we must prosper in our souls.
— You will never have life prosperity beyond your level of soul prosperity.
— With God, you must see it on the inside well before you are ready for it on the outside.
— Your legs will never take you where your soul has never been.
— The Bible says, “Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Psalm 35:27).
— This is not “the prosperity gospel.” The Gospel is the good news about the saving grace of Jesus the Christ. That Jesus died for everyone everywhere. So, I am not confusing the message of salvation. What I am saying is that it is the Lord’s will that His children succeed in doing whatever they were born to do!
2. The true essence of prosperity.
Yesterday, I shared something my Pastor (and Spiritual Father), Tony Brazelton, said about prosperity. He said, “In the world, people measure prosperity in what you HAVE. In the Kingdom of God, prosperity is measured in what you GIVE!” This point aligns well with the Parable of the Rich Fool.
— Godly prosperity goes well beyond material wealth. Prosperity isn’t just about money.
— With God, it is always about the matters of the heart. It’s not about what we do but why we do it.
— God wants us to prosper in every area of our lives. I cover five areas in my book “Level Up Your Life.” These are the areas I cover: spiritually (our walk with Him), physically (health-wise), financially (so we can give in four areas: tithes, offerings, supporting ministries, and giving to the poor), internally (mental health and inner peace), and externally (the key relationships we need in our lives).
— God wants us to prosper in every area and to have an excess/overflow of love, peace, mercy, grace, knowledge, joy, and finances so we can minister to others out of our overflow.
— The purpose of prosperity is evangelism and the advancement of God’s Kingdom on this planet.
3. The misunderstanding of prosperity.
— Money has been vilified in the church, as if poverty equals piety. But nothing could be further from the truth.
— Money is just a tool, and if your heart is right towards God, God can bless you with resources so you can fund His projects in this world and advance His Kingdom’s plans and purposes.
— The danger comes when you accumulate money without purpose. God can give you money with a mission and prosperity with a purpose. But if all you want is to store up things for your own selfish desires, you are not in alignment with the heart of God.
— The Rich Fool was accumulating for the sake of accumulating. It was all about him. So, God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
— Just as long as your heart is right, there is no limit to the resources God will bless you to oversee, just as long as you can manage them.
— God does not give you what you pray for. God gives you what He knows you are capable of managing.
— If you can handle the overflow, without greed getting a hold of your heart, then God can release it.
— Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10AMPC)
Here are some quick things to do to keep your heart pure:
(1) Avoid the love of money.
(2) Avoid the danger of comparison.
(3) Check your heart daily to ensure you are doing what God wants you to do in every area.
(4) Learn to be content with your NOW while believing God for your NEXT!
4. The responsibility of prosperity – the heart of a giver!
— I often mention four categories of giving: Tithes, offerings, sowing into ministry, and giving to the poor. My wife and I participate in all four every month, and we have for over 20 years. You should pray about how God wants you to distribute what He places in your hands. Remember, you are a distribution center.
— Don’t forget that life consists of more than just things. In the parable, God said, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20). Don’t make your life about things.
— Embrace the JOY of giving. Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”
— Understand the principle of sowing and reaping: what we sow, we shall reap. So, just know that the more you give, the more God will give you to.
— Give out of love. Never give out of compulsion or because of manipulation. Always give out of love.
— Give as an act of worship to God, and know that God will multiply whatever you give.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I believe in Your divine will for my prosperity.
I align with Your will, unlocking the blessings You have for me.
Father, I understand that true prosperity goes beyond material wealth.
I embrace the responsibility that comes with Your blessings, using them to advance Your Kingdom.
I am a distribution center of Your love, peace, grace, mercy, and finances.
I commit to being a conduit of Kingdom finance and Your divine plans.
I will give with a heart of generosity, knowing You multiply whatever I sow.
I seek to serve, understanding that true greatness comes from serving others.
I give as an act of worship, honoring You with my first fruits.
I am blessed to be a blessing, and I will leave a legacy of generosity for generations to come.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
