18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Luke 12:18 New American Standard Bible
The other day, in the early hours of the morning, I decided to listen this portion of God’s word (quite a bit different experience than reading it!). And, as I reflected upon the verses, I was hard pressed NOT to see my plans for the day in a much more somber light.
Though it is not necessarily wrong to use our gifts for increased abundance -and, in fact we need to be good stewards of these gifts (Luke 19:12-27), we need to keep our priorities right or bear the consequences:
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’
Luke 12:19-20 New American Standard Bible [emphasis mine]
While knowing that God is gracious, saving us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10), I am thinking that we best not push the envelope of God’s mercy by not being mindful that one day we are going to give an account of all that we do.
Blessings in your journey!
-Michael