Treasure in Heaven | Luke 12:32-34

Sermon Discussion | Luke 12:32-24

1. There will always be those searching for treasure; Jeremy made the comment that looking for treasure, looking for wealth, opportunities is part of the human condition. He quoted Matt 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". What are the things or parts of your life you treasure most? Is it sinful to treasure these things?...why or why not?

2. Because of the confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus leaves to the countryside with his disciples and thousands follow him wanting to learn and hear him teach. In vs 16-20 is the part of the story where we hear about the "Rich Fool". He had worked his whole life, accumulated and now he's dead; his children are unsure how to spit their inheritance. This man has left a "burden" to his children. They are fighting over the kingdom of their father. What did it benefit this man to accumulate only to die? How can something with such potential, like an inheritance, be such a burden? Has God revealed something to you, about you, from this part of the story?

3. Verse 32 reads, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." Dallas Williard says, "A king can exact his will in his kingdom". How would you explain what a kingdom is? Do you have a kingdom? What are the ways of your kingdom? What is it built on?

4. Jeremy shared a story about how you can lead, influence and find success at work but be a failure at home, unintended. He said, this price is very costly, the deception is found in the heartache that is "paid over time". We never set out for hurt/failure. Can you think about spaces in your life that were well intended but caused some sort of ruin or failure? How would you encourage someone struggling in this way? In light of this, read and discuss Mark 8:36.

5. If we are going to live into the Kingdom that has already been given, how do we do that? Vs. 33 says, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." He went on to explain that this "selling and giving to the poor" was a part of normal Israeli life instituted in the Torah. They gave beyond the normal tithe and tax to care for the poor and needy as thought they were family. Are there ways that you can do that today? How does this reshape your idea of caring for the poor and marginalized? Do you feel a burden or an obligation to care?

6. Jeremy quoted Joel Green “It has pleased God to give the kingdom to his disciples; hence, they are liberated from the peril of possessions and are enabled to reorder their lives in order to care for the needs of others.” The idea here is that is it actually dangerous to put our hope in earthly things. Jesus has not given us another option for hope but he has liberated us from earthly possessions! Have you ever considered this dangerous? What would be the dangers? How could you avoid this "peril of possessions"?

*Weekly Practice*

This week take time to meditate on Luke 12:34. Ask the Lord to show you places you might be storing treasure. I recommend going on a walk, no phone, no airpods - just you and God. Prayerfully ask him to search you and then quiet yourself and listen to what God might reveal to you.