Someone's Fool

S - “And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “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. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “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?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” 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. … 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. 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! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:16-22, 32-37 NIV

O - Jesus' teaching on the practical necessities of life on earth (what one eats, wears and stores up) is given immediately following the story of the rich fool.  Both the story and the teaching rotate around the idea of no worry about provision for today or in the future.  The fool has no worry because of what he currently has and Jesus calls his followers to no worry because of whose they are (their heavenly Father loves them and will take care of them).  The rich guy is considered smart by the world and a fool by God. Those who believe Jesus about earth and daily bread necessities are considered wise by God and fools by the world. … “‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:13-15

A - The world (secular and religious) taught me that a good steward is very concerned (code word for worried) about daily bread issues. Worry is a virtue in earth's understanding of stewardship and motherhood (e.g. worry is one of the "signs" of a mother's love).  Jesus instructs me (and all who follow him) to NOT worry.  When it comes to what we eat, wear and store up he directly tells us to not run after it and to not take it (legally).  He wants me/us to trust, follow and let it be added.  The pagans worry, run after it and take it. The stewardship I was taught by religious leaders is considered wise by the world … but directly refutes and refuses the instructions of Jesus.  They can't both be right, both be wise.  I choose Jesus!  “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become ‘fools’ so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’” 1Corinthians 3:18-20

P - God of all,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify both your person and your purpose.  I gratefully accept his teaching on all matters and am thankful that you call us to live on earth with you as our Father; not a distant, uninterested deity.  I accept my part in trusting, following and receiving rather than worrying, running and taking.  I will believe Jesus about earth and not just about heaven (John 3:11-12).

Living in Jesus and his name,

Steve