Central Truth

There are many things we can chase after in this life, but nothing is greater than knowing God.

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Reflections

It was on this day in 1931 that the Nevada state legislator legalized gambling. Since that time, millions of people have to Las Vegas to try their luck at games like poker, roulette and slot machines. And it’s not just in Vegas where people try to make some easy money. I was on a cruise one time and wanted to people watch in the casino (no, I don’t gamble). I stood there amazed as I saw men and women put down hundreds of dollars to gamble without even thinking about it. The allure of money is powerful for sure.

I had a friend who was a workaholic who used to say all the time “Gotta chase that dollar!” In our western mindset, money, possessions and “things” are so engrained in our sense of identity, we get depressed if can’t keep up with the Jones’. So we work…hard. We fall so easily into the bad idea of “He who dies with the most toys, wins.”

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who’s total focus was gaining wealth and living a life of luxury. The farmer comes up with a plan to increase his wealth (which was a bit of a gamble) and then sit back, sip iced tea and brag about how great he was. But reality slaps this farmer in the face when he is told he will die that very night.

Jesus is not against being wealthy. In fact, His point actually had less to do with possessions and more to do with priorities. He was making the point that we can amass a huge level of fame and fortune, but what good is it if we don’t know Jesus as savoir (and loose our soul). As Job said “"I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave.” (Job 1:21) So it’s really “He who dies with the most toys…still dies.” The greatest level of wealth a person can reach is being “rich” in God through Jesus. That kind of wealth never goes bankrupt! Can you say “cha-ching!”

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Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think people chase after money, possessions, titles, etc.?

2. Do you know of someone who lives like the farmer in the parable Jesus told? How about you? 
3. If your life was divided up into "bank accounts," where have you been depositing the most "money"? 
4. What priorities do you think you might need to change?

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