Fear God, Trust Him, and Don’t Be Fooled by Greed (Luke 12:1-21)
Have you ever felt pressure to look good on the outside even when things aren’t quite right on the inside? Or maybe you’ve worried about what others think more than what God thinks. Jesus speaks to these kinds of struggles in a powerful way in this part of the Gospel of Luke.
He had a massive crowd around Him—thousands of people—but He turned to His close followers and spoke honestly about what really matters in life.
Be Real—Not Just Impressive
Jesus warned His disciples about something sneaky: hypocrisy. It’s like yeast in bread—it starts small but quickly spreads. Hypocrisy is pretending to be something you’re not, especially when it comes to faith.
Jesus made it clear: one day, everything that’s hidden will be brought into the open. The things people whisper in secret will be shouted from the rooftops. That might sound scary, but it’s really an invitation to live honestly and openly—to let your life match your words.
Fear God, Not People
We often worry about what people think of us or what they might do to us. But Jesus told His followers not to fear people. At most, they can hurt the body, but that’s it. God, on the other hand, sees everything and has power over both life now and forever.
That might sound intense, but Jesus also said something beautiful: God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground, and He even knows how many hairs are on your head. In other words—you matter deeply to God. So don’t be afraid. If He cares about birds, He definitely cares about you.
Don’t Be Ashamed of Jesus
Jesus said that if we’re willing to speak up for Him—if we’re not ashamed to say we follow Him—He will do the same for us in heaven. But if we deny Him, He won’t pretend He knows us either.
Still, Jesus also understands our fears. He told His followers that when they’re in tough situations, like standing before powerful people, they don’t need to panic. God’s Spirit will give them the right words to say. They just need to trust Him.
Watch Out for Greed
In the middle of this teaching, someone in the crowd shouted out, asking Jesus to settle a money problem with his brother. Instead of getting involved in the argument, Jesus gave a warning:
“Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not about having lots of stuff.”
Then He told a story about a rich man. The man’s farm did really well, and he had more crops than he could store. So he built bigger barns and said to himself, “Now I can take it easy for years!”
But that very night, he died. And everything he saved up? It didn’t go with him.
Jesus called him a fool—not because he was rich, but because he spent his life storing up things for himself and forgot about God.
What Really Matters
Jesus’ message is clear and practical:
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Be real, not fake.
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Trust God more than you fear people.
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Stand up for your faith, even when it’s hard.
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Don’t live your life chasing after money and things.
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Focus on what matters to God.
Being “rich toward God” means loving Him, loving others, and living with generosity and purpose. That’s what lasts.
So, here’s a question to think about today:
Are you spending your life building bigger barns, or are you growing closer to God?
Luke 12:1-21 (WEB)
12:1 Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.6 “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.8 “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels. 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”13 One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly. 17 He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ 18 He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’20 “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”