Anxiety, Fear & Security—the Rich Fool
—Luke 12:4–34
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- Andrew Fountain – Dec 15, 2013
“Anxiety, Fear & Security – The Rich Fool”
- By looking at the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels, we are going back to the basics
- The rest of the New Testament is built on this
- Jesus said that the one who hears his words and does them is like a man who builds his house on the rock.
- Notice he does not say “Hear’s Andrew Fountain’s words”
- It is so important that you know what I am preaching is Jesus’s words, not mine
- I have no authority apart from Jesus
- That is why I always make sure the words I am preaching from are up on the screen
- Ideally you would all have your Bibles with you
- But even if you did, I would still do this, because it is a metaphor for what is happening
- I am not preaching, Jesus is!
- I am just the channel
- This is the preacher (the screen)
- There are many preachers that are more inspiring communicators than me!
- But that doesn’t bother me, because if you are convinced because my skill to inspire you, then you are building on me, not on the rock!
Fear and Anxiety
- “Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems.” Health Canada
- “Everyone feels anxious at certain times. Workplace pressure, planning a big event or writing an exam can cause feelings of wariness, or even fear…”
- “Anxiety… affects children as well as adults.”
- “Anxiety… affects behavior, thoughts, emotions and physical health.”
- “Those with anxiety… often suffer from depression, eating disorders or substance abuse as well.”
Luke 12
- 4–12 Don’t fear people!
- 13–21 Parable of the Rich Fool
- 22–34 Don’t be anxious about food or clothing!
- Most preachers avoid this parable—applying it is uncomfortable
- Those who do preach it, usually don’t take account of the setting, the context
12:4–12 Don’t fear people!
- Don’t fear physical harm
- God is the only one anybody should be afraid of
- God values you, so don’t fear!
- Be proud of Jesus—don’t be afraid to tell people you follow him
- Don’t be anxious—Jesus will give you the words to say
- The main application in Jesus’s day was persecution, but still very relevant
- You have nothing to fear from people
- They ultimately have no power—only God does
- So concentrate on your relationship with him!
- Are you afraid of anyone right now who has power to do you harm?
- Jesus says “don’t be!”
- v.7 The hairs of your head are numbered
- Now Christians have often been put in prison for what they believe, and some are right now
- Notice that Jesus does say he will get them out
- But most of the problem is fear
- The fear is worse than the actual suffering
- ex. of being at dentist (depends on your perspective)
- If you are not following Jesus, then actually your fear is justified!
- A much bigger problem in Canada is fear of what people think of us
- We can be more afraid of what others think that of what God thinks
- In fact that fear can control us
- Are you more worried about what others think of you than what God thinks of you?
- The solution to this is to set your mind on God’s valuation of you.
- Read v.6,7 again
Parable of the Rich Fool
- Received a gift of goods
- Problem of goods
- Present plan for goods
- Future plan for goods
- Goods have to be left behind
- The problem is that on the face of it, it seems like he is doing the right thing.
- Suppose your friend comes to you and says
- I have just had a massive inheritance from family I didn’t even know about
- What should I do with it?
- Then we might well advise them to invest it well, maybe invest in a new home
- So what is the problem??
- v.21 He is gathering for himself and not for God
- Behaving as if it belongs to him
- This is his security
- So why is this parable here in the middle of a section on fear and anxiety?
- If you ask people what would be the solution to their anxiety problems and bring security?
- Many would agree that a huge gift of wealth would go a long way.
- But actually the reverse is true!
- Wealth often brings more anxiety and does not give us the slightest bit of real security.
- The chapter gives two answers to security:
- Trust in massive wealth
- Day-by-day trust in a God who loves and values you
Don’t be anxious about food or clothing!
- Don’t be anxious about food or clothing (22–23)
- God feeds the birds (24)
- Can you even add a single hour to your life? (25)
- No, so why be anxious? (26)
- God clothes the lilies and grass (27–28)
- So Don’t be anxious about food or clothing (29–30)
- Instead, put the Kingdom first and everything else will be given to you (31–34)
- Does this mean we should not have possessions?
- Some have interpreted it this way
- Does this mean we should not have retirement savings?
- Proverbs 6:6 praises the ant who prepares in the summer for the winter
- My Grandfather’s investments
- Where are you investing?
- How do you do this?
- Sometimes it is financial, like he says
- Not a communist system
- Does not always help people to give (Paul says if they don’t work they shouldn’t eat)
- But nevertheless, giving to the kingdom is a good investment
Jesus’ Solution to Anxiety
- Don’t fear others, focus on pleasing him
- Don’t be anxious about possessions: invest your time and energy in the Kingdom