12 Jun, 2007
Mine! Mine!
No more "Super Mario Bros"
Have you ever bought something that you thought you would love forever and never throw away? You probably think, “I have to have that. I need it!”
When I was six years old (in 1985) my uncle bought me a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas. I remember playing the first game made for NES called “Super Mario Bros” and saying, “I will never get tired of this game. It’s so fun I can play this forever.” About a month later after beating it hundreds of times I couldn’t stand it anymore and wanted a new game which then became the next game that I would “never get tired of.”
picture courtesy images.google.com & DAILYBIDE by James Leon, Long Island Youth for Christ - thanks!
Luke 12:13-21
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (ESV)
What does today’s God's Story scripture teach us?
Jesus tells this story of a rich man who thinks only about how much more he can get. This man was like you and me. Instead of putting Jesus first and thinking of others, he thought only of himself and the more things he could get. Look at the Scripture verses and count the number of times he says “I will”. The problem with this man wasn’t the fact that he had so much, but that all his stuff was the first and most constant thought in his mind. God calls him a “fool” because he put his main focus on what wasn’t going to last.
How can you connect today’s God’s Story scripture to your life?
There is something in all of us that wants more. We always want the newest gadget or relationship because we think that we will finally be satisfied, but we find that we’re not.
Instead of thinking about things that leave you empty, focus on getting to know Jesus more. Your relationship to him is the most important part of your life and it will last forever. You can do this by first starting your day (every day) by praying and talking to Him.
And second, ask Jesus to help you make good choices throughout your day. Even if they are small choices, ask for God’s opinion and guidance. Don’t be a fool. Seek to get more of him and less of your old desires and the influences of this world.
How can you connect today’s God’s Story and your story to others?
- Spend more time today praying for your friends, reading God’s Word and talking with your friends than you spend playing games or watching TV. Do what is more important.
- Think of others and their needs. Look for ways to share with your friends what God has given to you.
- Sharpen your social and spiritual senses. Listen and watch carefully when you are with your friends. When your friends are going through tough times, be there for them and share the good news of Jesus with them.
- May 2008 [9]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [21]
- December 2007 [20]
- November 2007 [18]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [20]
- July 2007 [18]
- June 2007 [19]
- May 2007 [18]
- April 2007 [13]
- March 2007 [17]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [9]
- December 2006 [6]
- November 2006 [15]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [14]
- June 2006 [4]
