And Jesus said unto him, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" And He said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses." (Luke 12:13; I Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5)
Before continuing, remember here that Jesus came to seek that which was lost; to redeem us from our sin; to clothe us in His righteousness; and to give to those who believe in Him everlasting life. (Matthew 1:21-23; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) In fact, Jesus paid the purchase for our sins with His own precious blood. (Acts 20:28) For this cause, He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first [old] testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal life." (Hebrews 9:15)
"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon, neither the first testament was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:16-18)
In other words, and for clarity, a last will and testament only comes into force after one dies. This is the pattern which God fashioned His salvation plan wherein He declares peace and good will to all -- through the shedding of blood. Thus, as the scripture saith, "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:28)
So, after speaking about heavenly things, pinpointing the leaven of the Pharisees as hypocrisy in Luke 12, one of the company asks Jesus -- "Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me." (Luke 12:13) It is most certainly an interesting statement. At the time, the multitude of people who gathered together to listen to Jesus were innumerable. So much so, that they actually trode one upon another.
Nevertheless, Jesus is clearly speaking of the heavenly (spiritual) herein. Yet this man not only remains focused on earthly treasures, but desires that Jesus speak to his brother about dividing his inheritance with him. Perhaps, the man's question (statement?) was one of the tricks used by the scribes and Pharisees -- who were laying in wait for Him, seeking to catch something out of His mouth that they might accuse Him. (Luke 11:53-54) But it also suggests to me that this man did not hear or acknowledge any of the insights which Jesus spoke. (Luke 12:1-12)
Jesus responds, saying, "Man, who made Me a judge or divider over you? Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possess." (Luke 12:14-15) Thus, instead of conversing further. Jesus goes onto share a parable about a rich fool.
Jesus said, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, "What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?" And he said, "This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." But God said unto him, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:14-21)
Jesus then reveals a better way to live -- one that does not focus on things that are temporal (things of the earth) but instead the heavenly. Thus, to His disciples, Jesus said, "Therefore I say unto you -- take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?"
Jesus continues -- "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you -- O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding; that when He comes and knocks, they may open unto Him immediately.
Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he comes shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12:1-40)
Then Peter said unto [Him], "Lord, speak Thou this parable unto us, or even to all?" And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [His] Lord shall make ruler over His household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He comes shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that He will make him ruler over all that He hath.
But -- and if that servant say in his heart, "My Lord delays His coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for Him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
And that servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And He said also to the people, "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, "There comes a shower" -- and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, "There will be heat" -- and it comes to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?"
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as [thou art] in the way, give diligence that thou may be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite." (Luke 12:14-59)
Lots of insights to contemplate here. Stand in the offering plate.
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