Luke 12 is a chapter mostly about money. Beware, it says. Don’t be greedy about what you don’t have, because real life is not measured by how much we own. In today’s society, this is difficult because people measure you and themselves by what they own. In this chapter, Jesus gives a parable about a guy who had everything, but wouldn’t give God his heart. God took away everything he had.

We have to retrain our thinking about what is important in this world and in this life. God wants us to have material things, but he wants us to be willing to give things up too. He wants us to put him first. If we give our things and our lives up to Him, he will add all things back to us.

Verse 22 tells us to trust God in all things, not worrying about provision. Look at the lilies and how they grow – they are not worried that they will be provided for. Verse 32 says do not be afraid for what you have or need. Sell what you have and give it to those who are in need. Store up your treasures in heaven because the purses in heaven have no holes in them. We have to keep our priorities and perspectives straight when it comes to wealth and possessions.

Haggai 1:6 – Haggai was sent to Israel at a time when the country was very wealthy. He asked the people why are you living in luxurious houses while God’s house lies in ruin? You have planted much but harvested little. We can have lots of material wealth and possessions, but they will never content or satisfy us. When people try to fill the holes in their life with material things, the holes are never filled. You can never get things that are big enough or nice enough to fill a hole in your heart.

We need to always put God and His house first. Let’s build the temple. Then God will take care of our house. God says “When you build my house, and I will build yours.” He isn’t just talking about our physical house, but our entire lives.

Giving is one of the most powerful intimate moments you will share with God. The apostle Paul calls it pure worship. There is no closer heart to heart contact with God then when we are giving Him something – serving, worshipping, tithing. Materials are fleeting – they just come and go. It’s just life. Things happen. What God is looking at is how we interpret these circumstances in our heart. Do we trust in His divine provision?