Doesn’t God Want Me to Be Rich and Happy?
What Keeps You Up at Night?
In Luke 12, a man interrupts Jesus with a demand about money. Instead of settling the dispute, Christ tells a story – a warning, really – about the danger of misplaced trust. Money isn’t evil, but when it becomes ultimate, it wrecks us. It promises security but delivers anxiety. In this message, Student Pastor Caleb Adams invites us to wrestle with a hard question: What do you love most?
This isn’t just about finances. It’s about worship. It’s a push to examine our hearts. What we treasure reveals who we trust. And Christ wants more for us than fear-driven striving, He wants to give us a better treasure that can never be lost.
Remember: the goal isn’t merely to adjust our financial practices but to allow the Gospel to transform our hearts’ affections, leading us to treasure Christ above all earthly security.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus warns about the dangers of greed. (Luke 12:13-20)
- Jesus urges believers to be rich toward God. (Luke 12:21)
- Jesus says wealth is found in Kingdom pursuit. (Luke 12:22-34)
Further Study
- Jesus cuts straight to the heart in Luke 12:15: “Life is not about what you own.” Read this next to Paul’s secret of contentment in Philippians 4:11-13. If you struggle with contentment, prayerfully consider what might need to change so you can stop chasing things and start finding your joy in Christ.
- Luke 12:21 talks about being “rich toward God.” Read this with Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 6:18-19 about good works. Pull out your calendar and bank statement. What do they say about your priorities?
- “Don’t be afraid, little flock” (Luke 12:32). Now take a minute to read this with Matthew 6:25-34. When money worries hit, do you see God as your faithful Father? What would change if you did?
- Luke 18:18-22 shows someone who wanted eternal life but missed something big: Christ wants everything, including our money. Looking at Romans 10:9-10, does your spending show Jesus as Lord? Remember, this goes beyond budgets. It’s about loving Jesus more than money.
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outWhen God says, “Tonight your life is over” (Luke 12:20), earthly riches mean nothing.
Yet God offers an unshakeable hope. While we chase temporary treasures, He prepared an eternal one through Jesus Christ (Luke 12:33). As Pastor Caleb said, “If we don’t treasure God, it shows we don’t know how much He treasures us.” This love was plainly shown when God gave His Son; Jesus Christ became poor so we might become eternally rich.
Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we receive an inheritance that cannot perish (1 Peter 1:4). Trusting His finished work brings us into God’s family. This is the power that frees us from money’s grip, not because wealth is evil, but because in Christ we have something greater: reconciliation with God.
The Gospel transforms our view of wealth by giving us a new treasure – Christ Himself. When we grasp this truth, material possessions lose their power over us. We’re free to seek God’s kingdom first (Luke 12:31), knowing that in Christ we have everything needed for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). This enables us to hold earthly treasures loosely while holding firmly to Christ, our true wealth.