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Text: Luke 12.13-15

In the current series, Like the Christ, Pastor Jeff Manion has pointed out following Jesus forces us to choose: between anxiety or trust, conflict or reconciliation, and—this weekend—riches or God. Our God, in his wisdom, never forces us to do it his way, but allows us to choose. How we process our choices indicates how deep we’re letting Christ’s words into our hearts and lives.

The man in Luke 12 is a good example of making the wrong choice: demanding Jesus make his brother divide the family’s inheritance with him. Ironically, right before this, Jesus taught how God takes care of the sparrows (and how we’re more valuable to him than sparrows!) and that denying him before men means we’ll be denied before God.

The man is more worried about possessions than taking to heart what Jesus had just taught. His request shows we can deny Jesus by making the very choices he tells us not to, and seeking riches we think will make us content, over trusting God for what we need.

Jesus also tells us we can’t serve two masters, “Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6.24).

Today, as you welcome God into your week, consider the One Big Question: How would you process an unexpected windfall of money that suddenly came your way? Discuss this with your circle or a trusted friend.