Be Sowers not Barnbuilders

Sowers Not Barnbuilders

Jesus, James, and Paul gave stark warnings to the rich about how difficult it would be for them to enter the Kingdom. Why is it when we read the Scriptures, we do not think of ourselves as being rich?

In biblical times, a rich person was one who had more than he needed. By these standards the vast majority of the people in the United States are rich. Therefore, it would be beneficial for most of us to seriously study and then meditate on the things that are said to the rich. 

Jesus in Luke 12:15 said, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Most of the time we think that being greedy means being totally out of control. But greed is a subtle thing. Greed can exist in us when we think more of ourselves that we think of others. The measurement of greed should be based on Philippians 2:4, “each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” To be anything other than a servant constitutes a form of greed.

During this Christmas season, I am reminded of the Christmas story in the second chapter of Matthew where we have a great contrast of giving and greed. According to Matthew, the Magi found Jesus by following a star; on finding him, they gave him three symbolic gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Upon meeting Jesus, the Magi are described as handing over the gifts and "falling down" in joyous praise. The use of the term "falling down" more properly means lying prostrate on the ground. They worshipped!

The Magi traveled to worship the one born King of Jews. They brought gifts. Herod in contrast intended to kill the child. He was concerned about his kingdom. The Magi did not tell Herod where the babe was located and in his rage he killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem two years and younger.

The Magi and Herod are truly a contrast but not one you would normally think of during Christmas. I am sure no one reading this would even think about being caught up in the ways of the world like Herod. Yet how many of us are more concerned about the economy, the stock market and what is happening to our kingdoms rather than asking God what we should do with what we have received from the King. Will we, like the Magi, “fall down” in joyous praise and worship? In Luke 12, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man “who had no place to store his crops.” His life was marked with greed and bigger barns, and as Herod, he was more focused on his kingdom. 

May we seek God’s face in humility and inquire of Him if there are any “visions of little kingdoms” in our life that are blocking our view from seeing ourselves as He sees us. May the Lord free us from all forms of greed? May He free us to be continually sowers rather than hoarders and barn builders? As you pray about your end-of-year giving, Mid-America is a great way to be a sower and support the purpose of the Christ child and expand the Kingdom of God.