Word@Work Luke84 - Luke 6:24
Published: Mon, 04/19/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
WOE TO THE WEALTHY
Luke 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. (NIV)
Woe is a slightly old-fashioned English word. It means, 'grief is coming' which is a fair translation of the Greek word used here. It is both a prediction and a warning: definitely not a route to be recommended. This 'woe' is the other side of the coin to the 'blessing' in verse 20. There, the poor who seek God's kingdom are satisfied. Here, the rich seem to be self-satisfied; they have already reached the climax of contentment and there is nothing more for them. Like the rich fool (Luke 12:15-21), everybody leaves everything when they die: the more they have, the more they leave. And those who trust in their riches will have nothing but grief in eternity.
It is important to feel secure; but it matters how we go about achieving security. Surrounding ourselves with expensive possessions may give the illusion of safety and the power to control our destiny, but they are no way to God. Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters, either we serve money, possessions and all that they promise; or we serve God (Luke 16:13). Of course riches are not wrong in themselves; it is our attitude to them which exposes our hearts. Either we treat them like toys - to please us and make us feel good; or we use them like tools for the Glory of God and under His command (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
In a world where we are taught to want more and get more, Jesus' words have a cool chill about them. They are a serious warning about how to invest for eternity, although they are considered foolish by those who have no ambitions beyond the grave. But Jesus' words should also warm the hearts of those who seek God's Kingdom and righteousness: they know that He will provide for them (Matthew 6:33) sufficiently in this life, and abundantly in the next. So it may be time to take a personal stance against the greed of business, the financial power of professionalism and against business practices which are not clearly righteous. Your stand may help others who instinctively feel that greed is wrong and know they ought to be rich towards God (Luke 12:20-21), but do not know how to get out of the cycle of ambition or the lust for more. The answer is only found in Jesus, whose love and comfort completely satisfies in this life and the next. www.crosscheck.org.uk may give them the starting point they seek.
Prayer: Almighty God. I lay at Your feet my greedy lust for more and my anxious concern over my possessions. I know that they can never win Your favour, and that trusting in their power can never make me secure now or for eternity. Forgive my foolishness and help me to trust You alone - for my salvation, and for everything which You know I need to serve You on earth. Help me at work, not to be sucked into unrighteousness by greed, or to assume that I should have more than You provide for me. May my lifestyle be a good witness to the values set by Jesus as I live by Your grace and await my eternal inheritance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Woe is a slightly old-fashioned English word. It means, 'grief is coming' which is a fair translation of the Greek word used here. It is both a prediction and a warning: definitely not a route to be recommended. This 'woe' is the other side of the coin to the 'blessing' in verse 20. There, the poor who seek God's kingdom are satisfied. Here, the rich seem to be self-satisfied; they have already reached the climax of contentment and there is nothing more for them. Like the rich fool (Luke 12:15-21), everybody leaves everything when they die: the more they have, the more they leave. And those who trust in their riches will have nothing but grief in eternity.
It is important to feel secure; but it matters how we go about achieving security. Surrounding ourselves with expensive possessions may give the illusion of safety and the power to control our destiny, but they are no way to God. Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters, either we serve money, possessions and all that they promise; or we serve God (Luke 16:13). Of course riches are not wrong in themselves; it is our attitude to them which exposes our hearts. Either we treat them like toys - to please us and make us feel good; or we use them like tools for the Glory of God and under His command (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
In a world where we are taught to want more and get more, Jesus' words have a cool chill about them. They are a serious warning about how to invest for eternity, although they are considered foolish by those who have no ambitions beyond the grave. But Jesus' words should also warm the hearts of those who seek God's Kingdom and righteousness: they know that He will provide for them (Matthew 6:33) sufficiently in this life, and abundantly in the next. So it may be time to take a personal stance against the greed of business, the financial power of professionalism and against business practices which are not clearly righteous. Your stand may help others who instinctively feel that greed is wrong and know they ought to be rich towards God (Luke 12:20-21), but do not know how to get out of the cycle of ambition or the lust for more. The answer is only found in Jesus, whose love and comfort completely satisfies in this life and the next. www.crosscheck.org.uk may give them the starting point they seek.
Prayer: Almighty God. I lay at Your feet my greedy lust for more and my anxious concern over my possessions. I know that they can never win Your favour, and that trusting in their power can never make me secure now or for eternity. Forgive my foolishness and help me to trust You alone - for my salvation, and for everything which You know I need to serve You on earth. Help me at work, not to be sucked into unrighteousness by greed, or to assume that I should have more than You provide for me. May my lifestyle be a good witness to the values set by Jesus as I live by Your grace and await my eternal inheritance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WLuke84 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2010 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group