series artseries art

The Great Exchange

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” LUKE 12:16-21 NIV

THERE IS LOSS COMING IN MY FUTURE

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. JOB 1:21 NIV

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. ECCLESIASTES 15:5 NIV  

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.  From now on… those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:29-31 NIV

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-7 NIV

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. PROVERBS 22:3 NIV

I HAVE THIS LIFE TO STORE UP ETERNAL GAIN

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. MATTHEW 6:19-21 NIV  

HOW DO WE STORE UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN?

CHOOSE TO BUILD GOD’S WORK NOT JUST MINE 

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.  1 CORINTHIANS 3:11-15 ESV

CHOOSE FAITH OVER CULTURE

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  MATTHEW 5:11-12 NIV

CHOOSE TO BE GENEROUS WITH A WILLING HEART 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 NIV 

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take some time to get alone with God in a quiet place to further meditate on this weekend's message. What new challenges did you walk away with through the hearing of God’s word? Were there some old truths that took on new meaning? Our culture sells lies and we often buy them. The idea that we can be happy if we attain, or that we can appear successful if we store up earthly possessions, are examples of some lies that we can find ourselves stuck in. What does living for eternal riches look like to you? As you examine your own life, what investments are you making (or have you made) in heaven? Ask God to show you ways in which he has uniquely equipped you to build his kingdom. Perhaps take this question to a trusted friend or your community group this week, allowing others to speak into your own giftings and ways they see you contributing to building God’s kingdom. Who in your life is living a more heavenly-focused life that you could learn from? After hearing this feedback from God and others, is there anything in your life that needs to be reprioritized? What steps can you take this week to make any necessary changes? Close your time by asking God to give you the perspective and the motivation to live with eternity at the forefront of your thoughts and actions, and thank him for being a God who empowers and equips his people to build his kingdom.

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. Read Luke 12:16-21. What possessions or safety nets do you have (or are you yearning for) that bring you security, comfort or the ability to withstand a disaster?
  3. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-7. In what ways does the wanting of new stuff take an unhealthy place in your life and in what ways does that keep you from contentment?
  4. Read Matthew 6:19-21. When you think about the phrase “storing up treasures in heaven,” what specific actions or experiences qualify and why do you think so?
  5. Read 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. If God burned up everything in your life so that only the things that honored Jesus remained, what would be left?
  6. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Since God provides us with everything we need, what practical things can you do this week to do good and be generous to those in your world?