How many of you have heard of the Rich Young Ruler?
It’s not the newest reality show this season so don’t get excited. We are going way back for this one, waaaayyyy back. This was in a parable that Jesus told the crowd that had gathered around Him, and it goes like this:
“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry’.
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.” Luke 12:16-21 NKJV.
Do you see what I see here?
My barns, my crops, my goods…
He had it all figured out for himself. He had so much, too much, he just kept piling up more STUFF, and more STUFF, and even more STUFF! He wasn’t concerned about anything or anyone around him, he was totally independent.
But God said he was a fool, he couldn’t take all of his stuff with him! Who was going to get all of those things when he died?
The New Living Translation says, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Relationship is the key.
If we have no relationship with Him all the wealth in the world will not buy us entrance into that heavenly city. We must know Him!
Burger King used to have a slogan that was so effective that people still sing it to this day, “Have it Your Way…” I can even recall the jingle, this will be dating me, but here it goes: “Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders won’t upset us, all we ask is that you let us serve it your way! Have it your way…”
Having things our way is a big deal in our society. We want it now and we want it our own way…or else.
Jesus wasn’t saying there was anything wrong with having wealth or nice things. He was saying that getting, just to get, and ignoring the needs of the poor and the outcast was another matter altogether. Jesus was a Master Teacher and the point He was trying to get across was that “tearing down your barns to build bigger ones” was laying up for yourself treasure here on this earth, not in heaven above.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34 NKJV.
So back to the quote…there were two kinds of people…One that wanted his own way. We have seen what happens to him. But what about the first guy, he said, “Thy will be done!”
So simple, so easy, and his life is blessed, not necessarily with material wealth, but with that relationship. He knows the Lord Jesus Christ and Jesus knows him. They walk in sweet communion.
He loves us in spite of our faults and regardless of our failures and our inadequacies. He knows better than anyone all of the mistakes and shortcomings in our past and loves us anyway.
Let’s lay down our “stuff”…
Reach for the relationship…
And lay up treasures that matter for eternity.
Thy Will Be Done.
So true Audrey! Thank you for sharing such a powerful thought. Blessings!
We all just keep striving Ceil…that’s what this walk is all about. We will not reach perfection here on this earth! But striving to be like Him is what He wants us to do. Our desire is what He is pleased with. I think if we work on our relationship everything else takes care of itself. You are a great woman of faith. Just take it one day at a time. Blessings friend! ♥
Thank you Pamela…it is my prayer too. God bless you friend. ♥
So true Mel, it is a consumer driven culture for sure! Thank you so much for Essential Fridays. I love your blog! Blessings friend!
Such great words here. This is one of the biggest challenges for us in our society today. There is a better way in our consumer-driven culture.
Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions & Connect With God
“Thy will be done.” My constant prayer. I love your challenge; “Lay down the stuff and reach for the relationship.”
Hi Nannette! I remember that jingle, and I sung along with you as I read it! It takes such spiritual maturity for me to agree to have it his way sometimes. It’s so dumb because it’s all his already, I just think I have some kind of control. Sheesh. Crazy.
I want to be counted as someone of great faith, but I have so far to go. I am thankful for bloggers who really help me to apply the lessons to my life. I can do that today with yours. So thank you so much 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ceil
I do believe that God created us in his image and gave us all the ability to have compassion for others. My parents used to call TV the one-eyed devil, and now I understand why. It’s the quickest delivery system for spreading the false message that living a hedonistic lifestyle is so glamorous and is what we all should be striving for. The visual image is the most powerful, and I just don’t see how the lessons from the parables can compete unless you follow these teachings in your everyday life and inspire others to do the same.
Dear Nannette
My late father had a saying that wasn’t just empty words in his life, but he lived its reality and taught his children to live this way as well! He used to say that wooden coffins do not have pockets. Your posts today about the parable Jesus taught of the rich, young ruler just confirms what my father so lovingly taught us. Great post, my friend.
Blessings XX
Mia