The Inheritance

By Mary Vee
Luke 12 

From Luke's Journal 

Outskirts of Jerusalem- Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. 

We walked with Jesus along a road where a crowd had gathered. They came to hear what Jesus had to say, to ask Him questions, and to bring their sick for healing. 

One man caught Jesus' attention. He said, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

Of course the man seemed angry. He apparently thought Jesus would take up his cause and help fight for him. Our culture holds that the oldest son receives a given portion of the inheritance and the other sibling receive their portion. 

Jesus answered the man saying, "Why do you think I am a judge or an arbitrator who can help set up new arrangements for your family's inheritance?"

Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. Money is not the answer to a good life. You see, life is only so long and it is not dependent up what all a man has earned or gained, or has to spend."

He paused then told this story, "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What should I do with the abundance? I have no place to store the extra crop I have reaped.'

"The man thought to himself and said, 'I know what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, there I will store all my grain and my goods. He felt very pleased with the idea and said to himself, "I have plenty of good things stored up for many years. I can take life easy. I can eat, drink, and be merry.'

"But God said to him, 'You are not as wise as you think. This very night you will die. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself and not shared with those in need?'

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up earthly things for himself, but doesn't store up riches in heaven."


Our goal should be to do the things God teaches in His Word. Those deeds will bring true and lasting riches.




I will share more of what Jesus taught next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.