The Lutheran Hour
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"Investing for Eternity"
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Text: Luke 12:15
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PRAYER Blessed Heavenly Father, the devil daily deceives thousands into believing money and material goods are the essence of life, the road to joy, and the foundation of spiritual peace and security. O, Lord, by Your Word and Spirit enable us to see Jesus, the One who never deceives us and the One who gives us all we need for a fulfilled life and a blessed eternity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Only two months ago USA TODAY ran a major cover story describing how nearly one million families have recently had their dreams dashed. These families took some of their hard-earned money and invested this money in high-risk stocks on Wall Street. Then, the market, especially the high tech stocks, came crashing down. Suddenly, every one of these million families lost nearly one million dollars each!
Now in the private lives of those who lost the money, there were surely tears, discouragement, depression, and even feelings of hopelessness. But let’s also ask the inevitable question: What lesson is there for you and me to learn when we hear about people losing so much money through such high risks? Well, for many observers the thought was probably, “You roll the dice-you pay the price.” Or, if you perhaps are one who “gambles” on the stock market, you will probably say this is what you can expect. The stock market is not where the average naïve person makes money. Wall Street is where the average man in the street loses money or throws it away.
Now, let’s add a few more details to show how tragic this is. Remember months ago how television and newspapers were saying that people were making so much money in the stock market? Well, just before the technology crash, half of all-American families- 50% of our population-put their hopes into the market. Then came the technology crash. Last March 18, The New York Times reported “Trillions of dollars in household wealth has vanished in the sickening stock market fall. College education funds have been pounded and plans for early retirement have probably been pushed back as a result.” The editorial went on to say, “My sense is that the ‘anguish’ people are feeling is kept to themselves because their losses are so big.”
Since so many people lost money and since this is such a big issue, let’s turn to the Bible, the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12 and consider Jesus’ words dealing with greed and the sinful lust for money. First we read one day someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
Doesn’t this sound familiar in the year 2001! Who has not experienced family fights over inheritance? Have you ever seen so much greed as when families try to divide up who gets Mom’s silverware or who should get Dad’s watch? Who should get the TV chairs or the new TV Mom and Dad had at the rest home? What about, who is entitled to Dad’s car or Mom’s wedding ring, etc., etc?
When the man said to Jesus, “Tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me,” Jesus turned to the man and said, “Beware. Be on your guard against every form of greed.” Jesus said, “Not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Here, Jesus stated the matter plainly. If anyone is looking for real meaning in life, then don’t for one minute think “being rich” and real living are the same thing.
Now, let’s read a bit further in this same section of the Bible and see how Jesus, by speaking a parable, raised an even greater warning about greed. The Bible says Jesus told a parable about the land of a rich man which was very productive. The owner of the land said, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” “Aha” he said. “This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones. Then I will use these larger barns to store all my grain and all my goods.”
Doesn’t this sound familiar, again? Many people today are paranoid about having enough to live on or enough to retire on. Do you know of anyone who has gone to great lengths to make absolutely sure they have the right 401K retirement plan and the CDs etc., etc. Well, this is what Jesus was talking about. He is not against sober planning, especially for retirement. Jesus was talking about greed, subtle greed, the greed that you and I often try to disguise!
Now of course, according to the Bible, the plot of the parable of the greedy man with the large barns, “begins to thicken” as we say. The Bible explains after this greedy man finished his plan for larger barns, he sat back fat and sassy and said, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come. Take it easy. Eat, drink and be merry.” This man “thought” yes. He was privately convinced he had life “all figured out” and “all sewed up,” as we sometimes say. But then, something unexpected happened. God entered the picture. To this arrogant and greedy man, God said, “You fool, you fool! This very night your soul is required of you.” “Who, who,” God asked this greedy man, “will now own all you have prepared?”
Then Jesus said, “So it is with the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Now as we consider Jesus’ words, let’s re-state what we already said. Jesus was not speaking against basic planning or retirement. Jesus was not putting down the idea of setting aside resources for lean times. What Jesus was talking about was the greed that so easily overtakes us and gets us to believe that having lots of money and possessions is going to give us a happy life and a joy-filled future even into eternity.
Not long ago, “Modern Maturity” magazine told about a businesswoman in California who is nearing 60 years of age. This lady confessed, “For my husband, peace of mind means working as long as he can and collecting the biggest possible pension.”
Of course, there are those who believe greed for material possessions is a minor and not a major factor in our society. Newspapers, however, have reported Americans are not inclined to turn away from their preoccupation with material possessions.
A consumer attitude survey recently conducted by a large advertising agency reveals that Americans will be even more self-indulgent as we move into this new millennium. This same survey noted that materialism will continue to be one of the driving forces in American society over the next decade.
The lust for money and material possessions is a horrible sin against the first of the Ten Commandments. In his explanation to the First Commandment, Martin Luther notes we should fear, love and trust in God above all things.
So, if you expect security and fulfillment from money or large investments instead of from God, you are sinning against the First Commandment. If you desire money so you can be happy, you are sinning against the First Commandment. Anything that draws your focus, your attention, or time away from the Lord, is a sin against Him. This is also why being a Christian in our society is so difficult. It means swimming up stream everyday against the current of greed for money and materialism.
Therefore, friends, now is the time to re-examine your life. You might begin with this question: “Is it my goal to be happy, fulfilled and secure by acquiring worldly things instead of God?” If this is the case, then know from the Bible that God knows your heart. And He knows every thought.
Therefore, in sincere repentance, ask your heavenly Father to cleanse your life from the sinful lust of money and material possession. In His mercy in Christ, God will not only cleanse you, He will heal you. He will enable you to experience a new peace and a genuine joy in life totally free from the trauma of devilish greed.
Every time the devil tempts you into believing God will not take care of you, then cling to the blessed words of St. Paul, “God spared not his own Son, but delivered the Lord Jesus Christ up to the bloody cross. Will He not therefore give you all the other things you need in life?” (Romans 8:32).
Friends, I can preach and admonish for hours how you need to be careful the devil does not tempt you to divert your eyes away from the warm love of your gracious God and redirect your attention to cold and lifeless materialism. But negative warnings of the Law, my friends, are not enough. You need to focus your eyes on the Good News of God’s gospel in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith. When God, through His Word and Spirit, directs your eyes to Jesus, you will then be able to see your blessed Savior hanging on the bloody cross suffering and dying for your sins. This includes all your sins of loving money and materialism and lusting after the lottery, and secretly wishing to be a millionaire so you can have security in life.
Oh my friends, look away from the devil’s deceptions. Turn your eyes unto God and say with the hymn writer:
What is the world to me with all its vaunted pleasure When Thou, and Thou alone, Lord Jesus, art my treasure! Thou only, dearest Lord, My soul’s delight shall be; Thou art my peace, my rest, what is the world to me! The world seeks after wealth and all that Mammon offers, Yet never is content tho’ gold should fill its coffers. I have a higher good, content with it I’ll be; My Jesus is my wealth, What is the world to me! Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, #430, vs. 1 and 4)
O Lord, we pray today that all those who have heard Your word would be cut deeply to sincere repentance; that they would turn in faith to Your Son the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved through His sin atoning blood. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for June 24, 2001
ANNOUNCER: Dr. Schulz, you expressed in your message today the great drive or paranoia in our society for getting rich, acquiring a lot of possessions, or even hopefully becoming a millionaire. Don’t people often quote the Bible and say that money is the root of all evil?
SCHULZ: Actually, that is a misquote.
ANNOUNCER: What does the work say, actually?
SCHULZ: Paul writes in 1 Timothy, “For the love of money is a source of evil.” In fact, it becomes more interesting if we read a little bit further and include more of the thought of Paul when he said, “For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and some, by longing for it, have wandered away from the faith.”
ANNOUNCER: This was written a number of centuries ago. Do you think it is applicable today?
SCHULZ: I certainly do. In fact, I would say I believe this emphatically. I’ve known any number of people over the years, who as a result of their striving to get the big house, the new car, and a lot of materials and money that they have slowly drifted away from the faith. Going to church, trusting God, bringing up their children in the church-all these things become secondary. Then after some time, they become no concern at all. You might say this fits the analogy of the boat slowly drifting away from shore. Initially, you don’t see it get away until it’s too far to be recaptured and brought back.
ANNOUNCER: I found The New York Times quote interesting which points out that even secular observers note the whole philosophy or drive to acquire money and possessions is now a large part of our fabric. In fact it’s even become part of our language.
SCHULZ: Indeed, it has. Of course, that’s why the British program about becoming a millionaire was such an instant success. People over here were ready for it. This program was immediately translated into numerous other languages and became a hit into other parts of the world.
ANNOUNCER: You seem to be saying this is a spiritual problem.
SCHULZ: Absolutely! The devil deals in illusions. He’s very sneaky and very clever. And he delights in deceiving people.
ANNOUNCER: So, what is the big deception here?
SCHULZ: I think this is very clear. If you go around retired people nearing the end of their life, they will often tell you the closer to the end they get, the more useless and worthless their money becomes regarding happiness and joy in life. Even though most of them would never think of letting go of any money, and not supporting missionaries and other good works throughout the world, they still realize money in itself does very little for bringing happiness. In fact, I think, if they were honest, some would openly admit the need to hang onto money, to keep it and retain it, creates a lot of anxiety.
ANNOUNCER: How are we going to advise people today? What kind of attitude should they have?
SCHULZ: I don’t want to sound redundant or superficial, but I do think the words Jesus gave are powerful and compelling. Jesus said to the people to look out at the creation. The trees. Jesus simply said, “Look at the birds. They don’t sow seeds nor do they harvest seeds. Plus, they have no other place to store up seeds.” Then, He said, “Look at the lilies. They don’t work. They don’t toil; neither do they spin. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not as beautiful as they are.” Then Jesus added, “If God so arrayed the grass and the field which is alive today, and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O, man of little faith!”
ANNOUNCER: You know, I really like how you finished the message today and pointed out that God does not only clothe us in a physical sense with a jacket, shirt, pants or dress and everything we need. He also clothes us with His righteousness of Christ.
SCHULZ: Absolutely! This is the Good News of God’s Gospel. He puts around our shoulders the clothes of Christ’s righteousness. Even though we are terrible sinners and fail often. Even when we are Christian, God, nevertheless puts Christ’s cloak of perfect righteousness over our shoulders. Then, instead of seeing us terrible sinners, He sees us as redeemed by Christ. He declares us justified and qualified to stand before God on the final Day of Judgment.
ANNOUNCER: So, Dr. Schulz, what is the bottom line?
SCHULZ: The bottom line is simply: Don’t get caught up in the fever and paranoia that money and possessions can bring you any lasting happiness or meaning in life. Thousands have tried this before you. They have all failed. Turn your concern instead to your merciful, heavenly Father who gave His only Son to die for you on the cross, and to save you from the curse of your sins. If God has done this, He will certainly give you all the other things you need in life.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you. With that, we come to the end of our broadcast for another week.