February 24 The Heart Issue

Luke 12:13-15 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
 
FOR some time, Jesus has been speaking to smaller groups of the Pharisees and then his disciples. Others in a crowd have been listening. Now one interjects into Jesus’ teachings. It seems the man wants a fair settlement of his family’s inheritance.
    The man’s desire is certainly valid. God’s laws in Numbers 26-27, 33, 35 and in Deuteronomy 21:17 point to the transfer of the inheritance to the next generation. The man looked to Jesus to act as a judge. The religious authorities then were the legal judges as well in such matters.
    Here again, Jesus moved to put our eyes on eternal wealth. He refused the man’s inquiry because he had not come to settle such matters. The Son of Man was already overwhelmed with his work. People pressed at him from all directions. They wanted to learn from him, be healed in him and even denounce him. There was no time to be a civil judge.
    Instead, the eternal Savior spoke to protect us from his eternal judgment. He warns us to accumulate eternal wealth. What we have in this world has no effect on our eternal position. When your life is held to account by the Judge, he will not account for your balance sheet. Your worth will be in your faith.
    You’ve heard that before, haven’t you? What then do you do with this teaching? Are you willing to assess your priorities? Where is money in your heart? Where is Jesus? What does he want you to do about it?
 
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, I pray you are my treasure. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.