Photo by Peter Leong
What kind of riches are you storing? What makes you happy and successful?
In His introduction to the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-21, Jesus warns that the quality of a man's life is not measured by the abundance of his possessions. There is nothing wrong with being materially blessed by God (1 Timothy 6:17); Jesus is simply dispelling the idea that a life consumed by the pursuit of wealth would bring about true success and satisfaction.
In the parable, Jesus calls the rich farmer a fool. He was a fool not because he was rich, but because he had pegged his worth and personal values to his growing wealth. He allowed his abundance of possessions to define his success (“more and bigger barns”) and it led him towards a hedonistic lifestyle (“take life easy – eat, drink and be merry”). His thoughts were focused on himself and on wealth accumulation.
The foolish farmer presumed that he would continue to have many more years to live. Unbeknownst to him, “this very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (v.20). The parable reminds us that, no matter what we do, we cannot add days to our lives, or take our earthly riches into eternity.
Jesus contrasts this rich fool with one who is rich towards God. What then, does it mean to be rich towards God?
We acknowledge and give thanks that everything we have comes from Him. Being rich means we have been entrusted to steward these earthly resources on behalf of our Master. Material blessings are either a mirror in which we see ourselves or a window through which we catch a glimpse of God. When we look at our blessings, do we instinctively think of God, or of ourselves?
We honour God by doing good and extending His Kingdom (1 Timothy 6:17-19). As faithful stewards, we can use our material wealth to help improve the lives of the broken or needy, or support those who are called to be full-time labourers for Him. Are we generous to bless and to give towards Kingdom ministries and expansion?
We glorify and serve God with what He has blessed us with. Our sense of security lies not in material wealth and status, but in a steadfast and growing relationship with Him. How we live out our Christian values matters more to God than our ability to accumulate wealth. Does our posture reflect the Kingdom values of faith, love, obedience, and service?
Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). The eyes see what the heart loves. If we love God and put Him first in our lives, whatever material blessings we receive will only draw us closer to Him. Wealth will be our servant, not our master, and we will invest in things of eternal value.
What riches will you pursue?
Blessings,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
您在积存哪些财宝呢？有什么能叫您开心又得意呢？
路加福音十二章13-21节里，主耶稣藉着无知富翁的比喻警惕众人：“人的生命并不在于家道丰富”。 神赐各样美物给世人享受(提摩太前书6:17)，固然无可厚非的；耶稣要破除一种思想，即人活着就是要极力追求富裕以为成功及满足的迷思。
耶稣在比喻里称农场主为无知的人。那人无知，无关贫富，而是误把自己的一生成就和价值观，与家业增长混为一谈；他把资产增多当作成功之道(“拆掉这些仓房，建造更大的”)，也喜爱安逸享乐(“足够多年享用，只管安安逸逸地吃喝快乐吧”)。富翁的心思意念无时无刻不围绕自己、为积累更多财富而盘算。
无知的富翁以为自己将健康长寿，却被告知“今天晚上，你的灵魂必被取去，你所预备的要归给极尽人之能事谁呢？”(20节)这比喻提醒我们，极尽人之能事，人尚且无法增添自己的寿数，或把今生的财富带入永生。
耶稣对比无知的富翁以及在 神面前富足的人。然而，何谓在 神面前富足呢？
我们承认并为一切从 神所领受的感谢 神。我们当中富有的，不过是暂作管家，被主委托管理世上的资源。物质的富足就好像是一体两面。它好像一面镜子，让我们看见自己；又或是一扇玻璃窗，让我们瞥见 神！因此，每当领受物质上的祝福时，我们首先想到的是关乎 神，还是只看到自己呢？
我们行善，是尊荣厚赐百物给我们的 神，也是积攒财宝在天上(提摩太前书6:17-19)。谁是信实的管家？当把自己的富足分给贫苦人，以及蒙召到主的工场服事的兄弟姊妹。您有否为天国的各样事工和拓展慷慨解囊呢？
我们当把从 神所领受的归于 神，服事祂、荣耀祂。 神留下平安给属祂的人，是出于 神的信实，不在乎人的贫富尊卑。神的眼目眷顾义人，就是遵行祂道的人，胜过有才能的。我们的生活有否体现信、望、爱、顺服、和服侍等天国的价值呢？
主耶稣说：“因为你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在哪里”(路加福音12:34)。人的目光随着心里爱慕的人事物流转。如果我们爱 神、常把祂摆在生命的首位，那么我们所领受的一切福分只能叫我们更亲近祂。富裕不能反客为主辖制我们，而是被投入永恒的果效。
您所追逐的财宝在哪里呢？
愿 神祝福您。
蓝国贤
会务导师
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