Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." (vs13-15)
If we're not rich towards God in faith, love, good works, and everlasting life, then we are fools (Luke 12:13-21). Our Lord says, “But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God”. To live in this world for the TEMPORARY, when the eternal is to be gained... and hell is to be avoided... is the most foolish thing you and I could do.
Here is Christ, speaking of eternal life, righteousness, peace with God, and here this man interrupts with carnal logic and ambition. He's hearing the eternal, but he only hears the temporary because Satan has blinded him from seeing the value of his soul, and thereby the value of the Lord Jesus Christ. He looks at money, children growing up fed and clothed, and he sees no glory in eternal life. He is concerned for the here and now and forgets that man's eternal home is more important to be prepared for than anything imaginable. If we are right with God, then all is well, forever. But, if we miss Christ, then torments await us eternally. We must be wise. Store up riches towards God. Believe on Christ, get heaven, walk humbly with God.
Don't let “today” drown the pursuit of God, obedience to Christ, and the spread of His message. Don't let making a living cost you everlasting life.
Secondly, the problem is “little faith” (vs22-31). We think that He won't provide, so we take matters into our own hands, forgetting God to achieve what He would have given us anyway. He says, “If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?” He is not going to die for us, create the world, promise us heaven... and then not feed us on earth and be ignorant of our needs. Everything needed to do His will shall be given, and if we seek God's hand to provide, then we'll be happy in Christ, delighted in God, and honoring Him with our substance. In thankfulness to God, we'll enjoy what He gives us, rather than using His gospel to excuse our vain pursuit of self.
Do not forget God. Remember that He remembers you.
Always be ready (vs32-40). Never say, “I'll get ready, after this”, because that proves you're unprepared now. Our Lord says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”. And, to die unprepared is eternally ruinous. It is better to love God now, endure the heat of the battle, and be faithful unto the end, than to play soul games and gamble away eternity for pleasure. You may have Christ and grace, and He will see you to the end, being good to you undeservedly, but you are unwise to be unprepared. You don't have the promise of another day. Today if you hear His voice. Don't resist.
Finally, this warning is for us all (vs41-48). Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more”. We are not to say, “I do more than someone else” and be satisfied with that. We are each to do what we can, serving God from the heart. If you know to love and obey Christ, then you're guiltier than those who don't know. Live DEPENDENT on Him. Trust His grace and power. Walk by faith, and receive the promises. Stay active in God's kingdom.
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