Life More Than Possession
Sermon August 3, 2025 Luke 12:13-21
Life More Than Possession
Reverend Fred Okello
Today’s story is about complaining! And let’s be honest: it’s never nice to complain. Sure, there are instances when we want to say what’s bothering us or what we think is unjust or hurtful. But have you ever observed that whining doesn’t always make things better? In reality, it frequently achieves the opposite: it makes us restless, tired, and spiritually dry.
In Luke 12, a man interrupts Jesus and asks him to convince his brother to share the inheritance with him. It seems like a legitimate request on the surface, yet Jesus doesn’t get involved in the argument. Instead, He deals with the real problem: the man’s heart condition, his greed, and his twisted outlook of life.
The rich man’s problem wasn’t that he was affluent; it was that he thought his belongings made him safe and gave him an identity. He felt he had made it when his property yielded a lot of crops. He thought, “You have a lot of grain stored up for a long time.” “Don’t worry about life; just eat, drink, and be happy.” (v. 19)
He thought his future was safe because his barns were full. He trusted things more than God. He didn’t pray about what to do with the surplus, he didn’t think about what other people’s need might be or even thank God for the harvest. “I” and “my” were at the core of every choice he made. He had plans for a long time, but not for the rest of his life.
He thought he was safe because he was rich, but it was a dangerous illusion. He thought his wealth could regulate time, bring happiness, and guarantee life. Jesus didn’t call him a fool because he was rich; he called him a fool because he lived as if God didn’t exist. He had room for more barns, but not for God in his heart.
People typically judge success by how much they have in today’s environment. Your house size, car brand, bank account balance, or number of social media followers are all examples of modern trophies of success. People tell us that the more we have, the more we are.
We learn from a young age that the most important things in life are to be rich and comfortable. “You deserve more” or “Upgrade your life” is a message that ads always send. Because of this, a lot of individuals work very hard, not just to meet their needs, but also to establish an image of success based on money and power.
But in Luke 12, Jesus tells us that life is not about having a lot of things. What we own doesn’t matter; what matters is who owns our heart. At the end of the story of the rich fool, Jesus makes it plain that this is how it will be for anybody who saves things for themselves but is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:21)
So, what does it mean to be rich in God’s eyes?
The first step to becoming rich toward God is to love Him more than anything else. It requires praying, worshiping, and reading His Word every day to find Him. We love God not because of what God provides us, but because of who God is.
“But first seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33
Be generous. Being generous is one of the best ways to show that our wealth is in heaven. We glorify God when we give to the church, the needy, and anybody else who needs it. It's not about what we lose when we give; it’s about putting money into things that last.
“It is better to give than to get.” — Acts 20:35
Live with a purpose that lasts forever. Living with the end in mind is what it means to be rich toward God. We don’t build bigger barns; we build people. We put our time, money, and energy into things that will last forever, like creating disciples, displaying love, and serving the Kingdom.
“Don’t keep treasures on earth for yourself; instead, keep treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:19–20
Be humble and obedient as you walk. A life that follows God’s will shows richness toward God. We don’t live by pride or relying on ourselves; we live by trusting God’s voice and following his plans, even when it means giving up our comfort or plans.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
Be grateful and happy. A heart that is rich toward God doesn’t want more; it learns to be happy and thankful. Being happy keeps us from being greedy and helps us see the good things we already have.
It’s not about how much we have in life, but who we live for!