Reading: Luke 12:13-30

I have a lot of stuff.

Why?

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (15).

I don’t think my life is wrapped up in stuff. Neither do I think that the purpose of my life is to get more stuff.

Then what is the purpose of my life?

And what is the purpose of the stuff in my life?

I can tell you this: I want to be “rich toward God” (21).

Whatever that means, whatever that includes — that’s what I want!

If my stuff gets in the way, what should I do with it — and me?

from Luke 12:24

A little bit more from Luke 12: Don’t Trust in Yourself!

Reading: Luke 12:1-12

Confess — “to declare openly”

I automatically think of this as something to be done with my mouth. And of course that’s true.

This morning, though, I’m reminded that my life also declares many things openly.

Just what do my choices, my attitudes, and my values declare?

What do I declare with my face? With my driving? With my purchases? With my entertainment? (And on and on and on the questions go!)

“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God” (8).

I want my whole life to be an open declaration of Jesus!

In the marketplace, yes. On the highway, yes. At my computer, yes. At church and work and school, yes. At home, yes. Especially at home!

Here’s the same truth, this time recorded by John:

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also” (1 John 2:23).

Acknowledgeth here translates the same Greek word as shall confess does in Luke 12:8.

Declare Him openly, Mark!

from Luke 12:2

A little bit more from Luke 12: Of More Value Than