Week of January 16

Lessons Learned from a Yucca Shrub

Read: Genesis 39-41; Luke 16
 
“And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Luke 16:30–31, ESV

Introduction

“There is an intimate connection between the life of the Christian here and the enjoyment and the glory in the day of Christ’s appearing” (George Müller of Bristol, 430). That man of faith, George Müller, certainly summed up a biblical worldview. This series of devotionals and this writer hold to the same way of seeing the world. We must not doubt that there is a coming day of reward for the faithful, nor that genuine faith here is essential to blessing in the coming life. There is a lesson for us today: We are guilty at times of judging the lost world for not following Christ’s gospel when we also are blind to our own disobedience. That truth hurts, but it is true, so let’s open our hearts to hear Christ’s word for our lives today.

Understanding the Bible Context

Let me sum up the theme of Luke 16 in a phrase—“the proper use of possessions and wealth” (NAC). Look carefully at the parables: the unjust steward (16:1-8), money (16:9-13), and the Pharisaic love of money (16:14-15). In my best Louis voice from the movie Casablanca, “Let’s just round up the usual suspects.”

I am not trying to be cute because we—more than we care to admit—are the usual suspects in Luke 16. We know these truths, but too often do not apply them to our lives. The first part of the chapter is addressed to Jesus’ disciples (16:1-13) and the latter part to religious leaders (16:14-31). We may be church members or church and/or denominational leaders, but the chapter is a must for us to apply, whoever we are.
The error of paying lip service to Christ
The overall series of encounters with the Pharisees must be considered when we interpret and apply Luke 16 to our daily lives (see 15:1-2; 16:14). We will see in the wider readings of this chapter that the religious leaders did not adhere to the teachings of the Law and Prophets (16:16), so they were in the same spiritual lost-ness as the rich man’s brothers (16:29).

We all know folks like this today, who know the Bible, but they have not submitted to its message. Let’s use the Pharisees as our example of what not to do. They professed belief in a life after death, but they did not live in conformity with that belief. They, instead, pursued earthly wealth (16:14; EBC). Theirs was a tragic investment. They placed their complete trust in earthly wealth, which left nothing but poverty for eternity! There are several lessons that we may learn from this case study in the idolatry of possessions.
Learning our lessons about possessions
The parable in 16:19-31 provides us with several significant life lessons. First, and in keeping with Jesus’ call to a radical reversal of worldly values, there will be a future reversal of the human condition (16:20-26; cf. EBC). We have two characters, but we cannot be sure who either of the people were in real life: Lazarus, whose name means “[whom] God has helped,” and Dives, the traditional name given to the anonymous, wealthy man, which means “rich.” Their lives and lifestyles represent the great reversal of fortunes (physical and spiritual) that begins following death. Lazarus is escorted by angels, while the wealthy man was merely buried (16:22). Are you still with me? Okay. Then read on.

Secondly, there will be a coming judgment based upon one’s decisions in this life. Lazarus is at a banquet feast with Abraham and the rich man is in torment (16:23). Jesus sums up the state of both lives in the “now” and “here” contrasting statement that shows the utter finality of their decision (16:25). The finality of verse 25 hits my heart like a ton of bricks (“but now”). Christ intends for you and me to pay close attention to the future, but there is more.

Finally, not even a resurrection will persuade those who “persist in rejecting God’s revealed word” (16:27-31; EBC). The Pharisees were hardened against Christ, and, surprisingly, even to “Moses and the Prophets” (16:29)! Not even some amazing sign, like a person returning from the dead, would change their hearts (16:27, 30). Are you shaking your head with sad disbelief? I am. We all know folks like this who simply refuse to release the control of their worldview to follow Christ’s Way. Pray for and plead with them! Let’s apply the parable to our lives.

Applying the Bible Passage to Our Lives

Do you have yucca plants in your yard? Yuccas are a type of perennial shrubs and trees that are “notable for their rosettes of evergreen, tough, sword-shaped leaves and large terminal panicles of white or whitish flowers.” They are native to our part of the world. We had a yucca plant at one of our homes that sprouted and grew in a part of our yard without invitation to do so!

Furthermore, that rascally yucca laid down its boundary line and told me, “Dude, I am going nowhere!” I tried to mow over it, and it grew even larger. I dug it up, or so I thought, but it grew back again and blossomed, just to show me who was boss. I upped my game and used eschatological language! I said, “There is a coming day when you will not stick and stay as you wish, but you will be uprooted and cast into the trash receptacle.”

OK, I am being overly dramatic, but I finally removed the entire shrub. Here is the spiritual point. Serious Christ-followers know the powerful allure of possessions and take whatever steps are necessary to center their whole affections on Christ and His kingdom (Matthew 6:19-24, 33). They take thoughtful care to root their lives in kingdom values where God is sovereign.

Here is my personal testimony, I hope that it encourages you. I recall that we saved a good sum of money early in our marriage. My goodness, we were a “dirt poor” preacher family, so when I looked at the family bank ledger, I found great security in our achievement and having that “emergency cash” fund at hand. But then Jehovah-Jireh spoke to my heart in a devotional time: “I want you to give it all to the church mission offering.” (Take a moment to read Genesis 22:1-15.) I admit that there was considerable, albeit respectful, discussion with the Lord! He was insistent, and I knew Him to be totally trustworthy, so we gave it.

God had to uproot my yucca-like attitude in order to grow a lifestyle that was responsive to His plan. Rather than becoming anxious that our savings were gone, our lives were flooded with peace and trust in God’s provision. Today, we know that God provides, and we make sure that nothing interferes with that relationship.

The purpose in the trial had been achieved. By the way, we received a check in the mail the next week for the entire amount plus several dollars more. It went back into that emergency need fund but now it was under God’s control. God knew that the next decades of ministry needed to be rooted (secured) in His value system and not ours. Here are some questions for you to ponder.

Reflecting Upon and Discussing the Passage

1. This passage may cause you and me to squirm a bit. We realize that we know and love the Lord, but His words often are not able to penetrate our hard hearts. Search your words and actions about possessions to see if they truly emerge from Christ’s worldview. Make changes where necessary.

2. I often say to churches that ask me about vision and mission, “Show me your budget, and I will show you your values, vision, and mission.” The same holds true for our homes! To whom and for what is the Lord’s money expended? Seek to plan and exercise Kingdom vision in the way that you plan your family and church family budgets.

3. For Families: Essential life lessons may be learned from babyhood regarding possessions. It may be time to reassess where your family stands regarding your children and the earning of money, or the giving of allowances, and the practice of returning a portion of what we have back to God. Children can learn how to work to earn, habitually save, and joyfully tithe, their money. These are all marks of good stewardship. Purchase your child a piggy bank, give them a task to earn some funds, and teach them how Jesus wants them to view their possessions.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock