Counting What Counts Devotional Guide
Prayer: Lord, draws us back to you and what really matters. May your poignant parable be a cautionary tale for all of us who can be tempted to equate possessions with happiness or self-worth. Remind us to “number our days” so that we will be moved to live our lives investing in what is eternal. Keep ever before us your greatest commandment, and may it serve as true north for us as we live each day.
Monday: Read Luke 12:13-15. Verse 15 is a key verse of scripture. When Jesus begins a statement with “Watch out” it is important that we pay attention! “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” This would be a good phrase to commit to memory because the culture tries to convince us that who we are is made up of what we have. Here is a good question to ask: At the end of your life who or what will be the most important to you?
Tuesday: Read Luke 12:16-17. Notice the mistake the man in the parable made. It was the ground that produced the good crop yet the man made it clear that it was his crop. We often make the mistake of forgetting the source of our blessings. None of us can be successful without the resources of God. The truth is everything we have is a gift from God. When we lose sight of the fact that all we own is really a gift from God, self- centeredness can infect our lives and cause a host of troubles. Take time today to thank God for all that you have.
Wednesday: Read Luke 12:17-19. Take a minute and count how many times the man in the parable says, “I” or “I’ll” and “My.” You will find he refers to himself 10 times in three verses (depending upon translation). Does this tell you anything? A life living only for yourself is no life at all. Jesus reminded us that true life can only be found by giving ourselves away. Generosity is the key to joy and happiness. Selfishness leads to emptiness and spiritual pain. Find an older person in the church you respect and ask them what life has taught them about being generous.
Thursday: Read Luke 12:20-21. Why was God so angry? Why did God call the man a fool? He was a fool because he failed to see one of the most important lesson about our money and possessions – we are blessed to be a blessing. Have you ever stopped to wonder why you have been given so much? Sure, God wants you to enjoy life, but God also wants you to share what you have so others can receive a blessing. When we fail to see this we have missed the point of life and God’s purposes for us.
Friday: Read Luke 12:21. Imagine your own funeral. What would you like for the minister and family to say about you? How would you like to be remembered as people are eating sandwiches at the reception? Would you like for them to remember you as someone who was rich toward God? Does your life reflect how you would like to be remembered?