Next Level, Part 3 - Luke 12:16-21
Luke 12:16-21, 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.”
Jesus taught that fools live for prosperity that lasts temporarily, but the wise live for eternity which is why they give generously.
Proverbs 22:7, The borrower is servant to the lender.
The wise create margin financially, so they can live freely and give generously to kingdom priorities that last eternally. Margin is not created by making more money; it is created by spending less money.
Take back control of your money by giving up control to God. Remember, God is the Master, and you are the manager.
Three levels of Generosity…
- Tipper. The “tipper” generally only gives God what they think they can “afford.”
Our God deserves more than a “tip.” God deserves our worship! 2 Samuel 24:24, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.”
- Tither. The tithe is a biblical guide and means a “tenth” of our income.
God desires more than our tithe. God desires our trust!
Malachi 3:8-11, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field.”
- Giver. The giver understands God owns more than a tenth – He is the owner of 100%.
The giver does more than give God the tithe. They give God their treasure. Luke 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:20-21, 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.”
Generosity is how you become “rich with God”—it’s by giving away what God gives you.