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.”
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
Setting the stage.
Today, we’re diving deep into a topic close to my heart and, I believe, close to God’s heart as well. There’s a misconception in the world, and even in some parts of the church, that accumulating wealth or being blessed with possessions is somehow wrong or ungodly. But if you study the Bible, I believe you will come to a different conclusion.
The Bible is clear that God wants to bless us, and He wants to do it richly. The Parable of the Rich Fool isn’t a message against wealth; it’s a message against misplaced priorities. It’s not about the wealth you have but where your heart is concerning that wealth. So today, we’re going to unpack “What It Looks Like To Be Blessed” and how we can ensure our hearts remain aligned with God’s purpose, even in abundance. Let’s dive into Deuteronomy 28 and see the blueprint God has laid out for us.
1. God’s Desire to Bless Us.
— God’s blessings cover every aspect of our lives, from personal to professional realms.
— God emphasizes His commitment to meeting our daily needs (i.e. our daily bread).
— The Blessing of the Lord includes protection against enemies. God promises protection against adversaries, ensuring they will be defeated and their attacks will be unsuccessful.
— The Blessing includes continuous favor. Every moment, whether entering or exiting, the favor of God will go before us.
— The Blessing covers every aspect of our lives. God’s Blessing ensures favor in all daily endeavors.
2. Our Heart Must Be Aligned with God.
— The Blessing is not just about material possessions but the positive outcomes of God’s favor, where His glory can be manifested in and through our lives.
— In Deuteronomy 28, under The Law, there was a strong emphasis on obedience. Commitment to God’s Word and obedience were the keys to unlocking these blessings. For us today, it is the grace of God.
— The importance of giving. Being blessed is also about being a channel of blessing to others.
— You must guard your heart against misplaced priorities. The danger isn’t in having, but in hoarding without a heart for God.
3. The True Meaning of Being “Blessed.”
— The word “blessed” in the Old Testament means empowered to prosper. It signifies God’s divine empowerment to succeed. It can also be coupled with the word peace, which means nothing mission, nothing lacking, and nothing broken.
— The Blessing, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28, is on YOU, and it goes with you everywhere you go (blessed going out, blessed coming in, blessed in the city, blessed in the field, etc.). God’s blessing transcends physical location or circumstance.
— God’s Blessing involves a steady stream of His favor. The Blessing is not limited to specific moments but is a continuous assurance God is with you, and His presence brings with it a supernatural empowerment to be successful in all your endeavors.
4. The Role of Generosity in Blessing.
— Blessed to Be a Blessing! God’s intent is for us to be conduits of His blessings to others. The Blessing comes TO US, but God’s intent is for it to flow THROUGH US!
— The joy of giving. There’s a unique joy and fulfillment in giving, especially when led by God. This is what the Rich Fool missed out on. He was in a position to spend the rest of His life BEING A BLESSING to other people, but instead, he chose to HOARD the blessing for himself. As a result, his soul was required of him, and he lost it all!
— There is a Cycle of Blessing in God’s Kingdom. When we give, God gives us more. The more we give, the more He gives. Large seeds lead to large harvests. This is another thing the Rich Fool missed out on. Learn from him. Don’t miss out on your harvest; SOW YOUR SEED!
— Heart Check! Regularly examining our hearts ensures we remain sensitive to God’s leading in giving. Spirit-led giving should be the goal!
5. God Wants Us To Live The Good Life with a Good Heart!
— God wants us to prosper. God wants us to enjoy our time here on earth and live the Good Life. He does not want us to be saved but miserably saved. He wants us to go to heaven and also to ENJOY THE RIDE!
— Maintain a heart for God! In all our prosperity, our hearts should remain fixed on God and His purposes.
— Being a Blessing on the earth. Earthly prosperity isn’t just for us; it’s for us to impact the world around us. God wants us to fund His projects, advance His Kingdom, and affect our sphere of influence (no matter how big it is) in the process. That should be our goal!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I am enveloped in Your Blessing! It touches every aspect of my life.
You provide my daily bread!
You are my protector, ensuring every adversary against me is defeated. No weapon formed against me shall prosper!
Your continuous favor surrounds me, GOING OUT and COMING IN!
Father, You’ve blessed me to be a blessing, and I will be a channel of Your favor to others.
I find joy and fulfillment in giving, especially when led by Your Spirit.
I position myself in the cycle of Your blessings, knowing that as I give, I receive even more from You.
My heart remains fixed on You, Father, and Your purposes, even in my prosperity.
I am living the Good Life with a Good Heart, all because of Your love and favor upon me.
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!
