Luke 12 - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

Luke 12 - NIV 

Enduring Word Commentary - Luke 12

Warnings and Encouragements

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

The crowds swelled as news of Jesus' ministry spread, but Jesus took time to address only his disciples. He warned them against the hypocrisy. Although it wasn't noticeable at first, the Pharisees' hypocrisy was like yeast, just a little bit worked its way through the whole dough. Though they did not think it would be noticed, Jesus reminded them that though man may try to hide things from God, they will be revealed. 

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

As Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem, he also warned the disciples about the persecution they would soon face. Though this would cause them fear, the only one we truly need to fear is God. There is always the fear of death we all live with, but living without God for eternity is even a worse consequence than physical death. 

Jesus encourages them by telling them that God is intimately aware of the trials they are facing. If God is so concerned about sparrows, how much more will he care for those he has made in His own image, as his sons and daughters. Here is a verse worth remembering. "God even knows the number of hairs on your head!" 

How does knowing how much God cares for you help you to face the fears you have today? 

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Jesus makes it clear that if we we disown him publicly, we might be disowned before the angels of heaven. Of course, there are times we all disown Jesus indirectly, but I believe is talking about an outright refusal to admit Jesus is Your Lord publicly. 

Jesus also gives a stern warning to the person who denigrates or tries to manipulate the Holy Spirit. We have seen some public figures use the Holy Spirit for personal gain and/or to manipulate people. The Holy Spirit is just that ... Holy. The Holy Spirit is God. As we would give reverence to God the Father and  God the Son, we need to respect and not use person of the Holy Spirit in vain. 

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Jesus ends with an important promise. When we are brought out publicly to either profess our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will give us the courage and words to say. This goes for really anything we do as Christians. Whenever we go public to give witness make sure to ask for the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say! When you are going a conflictive situation make sure to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to bring peace. When you preach or teach make sure to ask the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide your words. 

The Parable of the Rich Fool

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.”

Jesus’ parables often dealt with the use of material possessions. This man’s question leads us to believe he was overly concerned with money, which probably why Jesus told the following parable  

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.”

The Bible never teaches that being rich in itself is bad, but it does teach the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. When God blesses a person with a lot of material possessions, they are expected to use it wisely, not just for themselves. In another parable Jesus teaches that we will be judged based on the amount we were given and what we have done with it. 

Jesus uses the example of a man who was blessed abundantly, but instead of putting his money to work, he hoarded it.  He was afraid to lose it, so he built a big barn to store it and then quit working. It sounds like he spent the rest of his life sitting around enjoying his wealth  

The problem with this man’s thinking was he thought this life was all there is. Jesus reminded the disciples that when he died, the amount of wealth he had on earth meant nothing.  The more important question was had he done anything to help others, or use it to further God's kingdom.  

Do you see yourself as the owner of your own wealth or are you managing what God has entrusted to you for his kingdom? 

Do Not Worry

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

These verses flow from the last verses. When you realize that God is truly in control of your finances, and He will provide for you, you don’t have to worry about money. Once again Jesus uses an analogy from nature. If God clothes the birds of the air and the flowers in the field will he not also provide for His sons and daugthers. The bottom line is that worry never changes the situation, and only leaves us stressed out. It is pointless.  

Do you worry a lot about money? What does that say about your relationship with God? How can knowing about God’s character help you to let go of your money fears  

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

The antidote to worrying about stuff is to put your primary focus and energy on building God’s kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven. As we focus on what God is doing in our church and community, we are less inclined to worry about the things in this world. The bottom line is God will provide for everything we need and usually more as we surrender our will and resources to him. 

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Martin Luther says, “The last thing to be converted is the pocket book.”  The world says, “Put your money where your mouth is!” Jesus says, “Where your treasure is there your heart is also!”  Money matters to the extent it takes up space in our hearts.  Looking at a man’s checkbook will usually show where his heart is.  

Would you say your use of money reflects your relationship with God? 

Watchfulness

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him

Jesus teaches similarly in regard to how we use our time. As Christians, we are servants of our Lord, Jesus.  Time is now said to be life’s most precious commodity.  Just like we can see how we use our money by looking into our checkbook, our calendar will show us how we prioritize our time. 

The question to ask is, "How does the use of our time and energy reflect our calling as Jesus' disciples?" 

Most of us work 40 to 50 hour work week, but how do we use the free time we have?  How do our relationships reflect a good use of your time? If you are single what kind of person do you want to spend time with? Is there heart in the same place as yours? Do you ever spend vacation time to go on a mission trip to share the gospel and help those in need  

If Jesus were to return night would you be using your time wisely? 

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

This teaching is similar to the previous one but it also adds an important twist. To those who have been faithful using their time to serve Jesus there will be a reward in heaven.  Those who have been faithful with the talent they were given when they were born with will be given more duties in heaven. 

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

The fact that God entrusts with money, time, and talents shows how important we are in his eyes. Jesus left the mission of reaching the whole world for him. Jesus says, “Much, much more will be asked of those who have been given a lot!”  In another passage he says, “To whom much has been given much is required.”

Not Peace but Division

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

We always think of Jesus as being “nice”. He is kind and compassionate, but he also taught some very challenging concepts like when he says, "I have come to bring bring on the earth".  The fact is have faith in Jesus might cause you to be judged.  

Though he brought peace through his death on the cross, he warned his followers they would likely encounter hostility from the world. Even families would be divided over him.  As a pastor, I have seen this happen unfortunately. 

The early church would suffer much persecution, and some would even die for their confession of Jesus as Lord.  In America, we do not face this type of persecution, as other areas in the world are facing right now.  Though we have relative peace in our country, increasingly Christians are being castigated in our society. As we move closer to Jesus' eventual return, persecution will likely increase not decrease for Christians.    

Interpreting the Times

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Many people knew how to see signs in the spiritual world, but they didn't see the signs the Bible points to as a prelude to Jesus’ second coming.  No one knows the day or time of Jesus' return, but we should be aware of what is happening in the world and not be unaware of the signs the bible predicts are birth pangs. i.e. wars, famines, earthquakes, and nation rising up against nation. 

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

We live in a litigation happy society, but Jesus teaches us to settle out of court. Settling out of court is always preferrable, is less stressful, and involves less legal fees. In another passage in 1 Corinthian 6, Paul tells the Corinthians to not have lawsuits against each other, but to work it out as brothers and sisters in Christ.