UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSES OF GREAT HARVEST
TEXT: LUKE 12:15-21
Luke: 12. 15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18. And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. – Bible Offline
Luke.12.15 Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (MSB)
Luke.12.16 Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. (MSB)
Luke.12.17 He talked to himself: “What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ (MSB)
Luke.12.18 Then he said, “Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, (MSB)
Luke.12.19 and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ (MSB)
Luke.12.20 “Just then God showed up and said, “Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods–who gets it?’ (MSB)
Luke.12.21 “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (MSB)
UNDERSTANDING IS THE ABILITY TO GRASP THE MEANING OF SOMETHING; THE ABILITY TO PERCEIVE AND EXPLAIN THE MEANING OR THE NATURE OF SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING.
PURPOSE IS THE REASON FOR WHICH SOMETHING EXISTS AND FOR WHICH IT HAS BEEN DONE OR MADE.
THE REASON OR PURPOSE WHY GOD IS RELEASING BUMPER HARVEST TO US NOW MUST BE WELL UNDERSTOOD IN ORDER FOR US NOT TO ABUSE IT OR MISUSE IT.
N.B. WHEN PURPOSE IS NOT KNOWN, ABUSE IS INEVITABLE.
LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL
GOD BLESSED THE GROUND OF THE RICH MAN WITH BUMPER HARVEST.
THE MAN THOUGHT HIS ACHIEVEMENT WAS BY HIS PERSONAL EFFORTS.
HE HAS A SELFISH TENDENCY BECAUSE HIS WORDS WERE FILLED WITH “I”, AND “MY”. HE DIDN’T MENTION ANY MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY.
THE MAN WAS LAYING UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF AND HE WAS NOT RICH TOWARDS GOD.
GOD DECLARED THE MAN FOOLISH AND HIS SOUL WAS REQUIRED OF HIM THAT SAME NIGHT.
THE PEOPLE HE NEVER KNEW EVENTUALLY ATE ALL HIS WEALTH AND INHERITANCE.
PURPOSES OF GREAT HARVEST
IT IS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. DEUT.8:17-18. Deuteronomy: 8. 17. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. – Bible Offline
BUMPER HARVEST IS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLDS TO ENJOY. DEUT.8:7-10
Deuteronomy: 8. 7. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8. A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9. A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
IT FOR YOU TO ALSO BE A BLESSING BOTH TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD AND TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. GEN. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:10. Genesis: 12. 1. Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Galatians: 6. 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
IT IS MEANT FOR YOU TO IMPACT YOUR SOCIETY AND YOUR GENERATION AND EVEN GENERATIONS YET UNBORN.
ABOVE ALL, BUMPER HARVEST IS FOR YOU TO GLORIFY GOD WHO HAS EMPOWERED YOU TO GET IT. Isa. 43:21; 1 Pet. 2:12. Isaiah: 43. 21. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. 1 Peter: 2. 12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.