To Have Or To Live?
Carrying Faith Forward
October 28, 2018
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Using Luke 12, the sermon urges Christians to guard against covetousness by treating Jesus as first and handling abundance rightly—sharing time and possessions, giving to God's work (tithing), and investing for spiritual benefit rather than hoarding wealth as if it were life itself.
Summary
In the context of a stewardship series and current economic instability, the sermon draws on Luke 12 to teach that money and possessions must be handled in a way that strengthens the soul. Jesus warns against covetousness (Luke 12:13–15), which substitutes abundance for life and becomes idolatry; therefore we must treat Jesus properly (put him first and resist greed) and treat abundance properly (use time, money, and possessions to meet needs and advance God's kingdom). The parable in Luke exposes the danger of trusting in wealth, reminding us that possessions are temporary and meant to be stewarded for others. Practically, faithful giving—such as tithing—is recommended not as a financial guarantee but as a means of spiritual growth and kingdom investment.
Key Points
- Context: Part of a stewardship series; current market volatility highlights the transient nature of wealth
- Key text: Luke 12:13–15 — be on guard against all covetousness; life does not consist in abundance of possessions
- Two central calls: 1) Treat Jesus properly (put him first; resist greed); 2) Treat abundance properly (use it for God's purposes)
- Covetousness defined: pursuing life in anything other than Jesus; Paul calls it idolatry
- The parable in Luke (the rich fool) shows that hoarded possessions cannot be taken with us and that the 'gospel of abundance' is false
- Practical application: share time and resources, meet others' needs, and invest in God's kingdom
- Spiritual discipline: tithing (give back 10%) as a way to guarantee spiritual blessing and to entrust resources to God
- Pastoral reminder: God may call back our lives at any time; use abundance to strengthen souls and advance the kingdom rather than to secure your life
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