Don’t Be Foolish About the Future

Joseph Stiglitz (2001 Nobel Prize in Economics) says that, "We developed a system without resilience in which we left large numbers of Americans extraordinarily vulnerable." How do we operate in the current crisis as Christians? In this video, we consider what the Parable of the Rich Fool has to say and how it relates to us in modern times.

Notes:

CBS Sunday Morning
The Economic Fallout of the Coronavirus Disease

Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize (2001), professor economics, Columbia

In the pre-virus economy too many were left exposed…
Families and businesses were at risk if conditions soured…
Before this event many households were living at the edge…
Businesses have been really foolish taking on debt as if no storms are ever going to hit… They’ve been really,really foolish…
We’ve developed a system without resilience in which we’ve left extraordinarily large numbers of Americans vulnerable…

Scripture:

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?”

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Luke 12:13-34 NLT

Psalm 73
Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Related Quotes:

Jesus Our Joy

Wherever we turn in the church of God, there is Jesus. He is the beginning, middle, and end of everything to us… There is nothing good, nothing holy, nothing beautiful, nothing joyous which He is not to His servants. No one need be poor, because, if he chooses, he can have Jesus for his own property and possession. No one need be downcast, for Jesus is the joy of heaven, and it is His joy to enter into sorrowful hearts. We can exaggerate about many things; but we can never exaggerate our obligation to Jesus, or the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus to us. All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to an end of the sweet things that might be said of Him. Eternity will not be long enough to learn all He is, or to worship Him for all He has done, but then, that matters not; for we shall be always with Him, and we desire nothing more.

Frederick Faber
Quoted in The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer, p. 34

Trusting God

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his audience not to worry and fret about how much they have, what they wear, or what they will eat. That’s what people of “little faith” do. Rather, the focus should be on seeking to live in harmony with God’s will and to trust God for the rest (Matthew 6:25–34)…

Jesus illustrates his point in what is, frankly, a ridiculously off-topic reference to the lilies of the field and the birds of the air: “See, they’re doing just fine because God takes care of them. So what are you so worried about?”

Seriously, Jesus? Are you taking questions?

(I raise my hand. Jesus nods in my direction.)

ME. I appreciate the effort, Jesus, but to state the obvious.., lilies don’t have brains and birds are skittish little things that fly into windows. I, on the other hand, am a human being. I have a brain, not to mention a house and family. I have to pay bills… So… when I hear you comparing me and my problems to plants and birds like they’re my role models. Birds are birds and plants are plants, Jesus. By definition, they don’t have the capacity for thought that even makes worrying possible. By definition, they literally have no worries! They are incapable of worry.

JESUS. You’re right more than you know. Yes, plants and birds by definition are incapable of worry… I am telling you to consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air because they are, like you said, by definition, incapable of worry… If you truly trust the Father, you too will be, by definition, incapable of worry… Worry will be as impossible for you as it is for insentient plants and clueless birds. When you trust, when you let go of your life and lean on God with your whole heart, worry will fade from your vocabulary. You will be as oblivious to the cares of this world as are plants and birds. And then you will be free—free of worry. Get it?
Peter Enns

The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our "Correct" Beliefs (pp. 108-109). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.