I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL!

 

All preaching must be Bible-centered. The Bible is the word of God and shows us his will for our lives. Therefore, it is very important to study the Scriptures to preach. Through the message of the Bible, many lives are changed!

Well-founded preaching in the Bible is important to convey the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This biblical good news is the power of God to save everyone who believes. Preaching is a great responsibility. The preacher must prepare himself by searching the Scriptures to:

     • understand the biblical context,

     • interpret the message and

     • apprehend the practical application for our days.

Likewise, the listener must have discernment and wisdom. We must not unconditionally accept any preaching. We must always analyze and confirm that the preaching is in line with the Bible. Preaching that uses a biblical text as a pretext for a message that does not agree with the Bible is dangerous and must be rejected.

All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Wherever you go, preach this message: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:7

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, to proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness which from first to last is by faith, as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Romans 1:16-17

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

1 Corinthians 1:17

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in the one they haven't heard of? And how will they hear if there is no one to preach? And how will they preach if they are not sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" However, not all Israelites responded to the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:14-17

Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season, rebuke, correct, exhort with all patience and doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:2

Jews ask for miraculous signs, and Greeks seek wisdom; But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews and Gentiles a stumbling block, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord,

it's over me,

because the Lord anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to care for those who are

with a broken heart,

announce freedom to the captives

and deliverance from darkness to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn and give to all who mourn in Zion

a beautiful crown instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning

and a mantle of praise

instead of depressed spirit.

they will be called

oaks of justice,

planting of the Lord,

for the manifestation of his glory.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you by the grace of Christ, to follow another gospel, which is not the gospel at all. What happens is that some people are disturbing them, wanting to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be accursed! As we have already said, now I say it again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one you already received, let him be cursed!

Galatians 1:6-9

Then Philip, beginning with that passage of Scripture, told him the good news of Jesus.

Acts of the Apostles 8:35

For Ezra had decided to devote himself to studying the Law of the Lord and doing it, and teaching his decrees and commandments to the Israelites.

Ezra 7:10

According to his custom, Paul went to the synagogue and for three sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ must suffer and rise from the dead. And he said: "This Jesus I proclaim is the Christ".

Acts of the Apostles 17:2-3

Just like rain and snow

descend from the heavens

and do not return to them without watering the earth

and make it bud and blossom,

for it to produce seed

to the sower

and bread for the one who eats, so it is with the word

that comes out of my mouth:

she will not return to me empty,

but will do what i want

and it will accomplish the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

Since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know him through human wisdom, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching.

1 Corinthians 1:21

For whatever was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Then Jesus approached them and said, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, until the end of the age".

Matthew 28:18-20

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 ALL THE GODLY WILL EXPERIENCE SUFFERING...

Nobody likes to suffer. Suffering is the result of sin in the world. One day, when Jesus returns, all suffering will be over.

Not all suffering is caused by our own sin. We all go through suffering that we don't understand. But God promises never to forsake us. God helps those who trust in him to overcome suffering. God has power to deliver.

The Bible warns that we will suffer for following Jesus. But God can turn even our suffering into a blessing! Those who remain faithful to God and do not give up in suffering will be rewarded in eternity.

I consider that our present sufferings cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18

for our light and momentary sufferings are producing for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all.

2 Corinthians 4:17

This is my consolation in my suffering:

Your promise gives me life.

Psalms 119:50

Because it is commendable if, for the sake of his conscience toward God, someone endures afflictions by suffering unjustly. For what advantage is there in enduring scourges received for having committed evil? But if you endure suffering for doing good, that is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, so that you should follow in his steps. "He didn't commit

no sin,

and no mistake

was found in his mouth." When insulted, he did not retaliate; when suffering, he did not threaten, but handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die for the sins and live for righteousness; by his stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:19-24

Because, in view of what he himself suffered when tempted, he is able to succor those who are also being tempted.

Hebrews 2:18

But you have closely followed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, the persecutions and sufferings I endured, things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Stripe. How much persecution I endured! But from all these things the Lord delivered me!

2 Timothy 3:10-11

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same sufferings.

1 Peter 5:9

If your law were not my delight,

suffering would have already destroyed me. I will never forget your precepts,

because it is through them

that you preserve my life.

Psalms 119:92-93

It was good for me to be punished,

that I might learn your statutes.

Psalm 119:71

To the woman he declared:

"I will greatly multiply

her suffering in pregnancy;

in suffering you will bring forth children.

Your desire will be for your husband,

and he shall rule over it.” And to the man he said,

"Since you listened to your wife

and ate the fruit of the tree

which I ordered you

not to eat,

cursed is the ground because of you;

with suffering you

will feed on her

every day of your life.

Genesis 3:16-17

for the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, because they coveted money, have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many sufferings.

1 Timothy 6:10

who is careful what he says

it avoids a lot of suffering.

Proverbs 21:23

Turn to me and have mercy on me,

for I am alone and afflicted. The anguish of my heart multiplied;

deliver me from my affliction. Look at my tribulation

and my suffering,

and forgive all my sins.

Psalms 25:16-18

Mercy Lord!

See the suffering they cause me

those who hate me.

Save me from the gates of death, so that I may stand at the gates of the city of Zion

I sing praises to you

and there rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalms 9:13-14

Praise him, you who fear the Lord!

Glorify him, all of you,

descendants of Jacob!

Tremble before him, all of you,

descendants of Israel! Well, you didn't despise

nor did he repudiate the suffering of the afflicted;

did not hide her face from him,

but heard his cry for help.

Psalms 22:23-24

Why does the wicked insult God,

saying within himself:

"You won't ask me for anything!"? But you see suffering and pain;

watch them to take them in your hands.

Their victim surrenders to you;

thou art the protector of the orphan.

Psalms 10:13-14

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of pain

and experienced in suffering.

like someone from whom

men hide their faces,

he was despised

and we did not hold him in esteem. He certainly took it upon himself

our infirmities

and upon himself he took our diseases;

however we consider it

punished by God,

by God struck and afflicted. But he was pierced

because of our transgressions,

he was crushed because

of our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace

was on him, and by his wounds

we were healed.

Isaiah 53:3-5

Indeed, you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for, despite much suffering, you received the word with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

But rejoice as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed, you may also rejoice with great joy. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, rests on you. If any of you suffer, let it not be as a murderer, thief, criminal, or as a meddler in someone else's business. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God through that name.

1 Peter 4:13-16

I only know that, in every city, the Holy Spirit warns me that prisons and sufferings await me. However, I don't care, nor do I consider my life of any value to myself, if I can only finish the race and complete the ministry that the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts of the Apostles 20:23-24

For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our consolation overflows. If we are troubled, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which gives you patience to endure the same sufferings that we are suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:5-6

Bear with me my sufferings, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:3

I heard a strong voice from the throne saying, "Now the tabernacle of God is with men, with whom he will live. They will be his peoples; God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away from their eyes every tear. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the old order is passed away."

Revelation 21:3-4

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 ESPECIALLY ON WEEKENDS, ALCOHOL BRINGS A DECEIVED PROMISE OF “JOY”, OF FORGETTING PROBLEMS. BUT, IN ACTUALLY, IT TAKES AWAY FROM YOUR SOBRIETY AND YOUR COGNITIVE CAPACITY OF DISCERNMENT, YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS IS AFFECTED AND YOUR ACTS TOO… WATCH! DON'T DESTROY YOUR FAMILY!

Most of the time when an alcoholic beverage is referred to in the Bible, wine is alluded to.

Despite being
part of food, we have several situations in which God asks his servants to refrain from wine - or any strong drink - as a way of consecrating themselves to Him for a certain time.

The risk of addiction is present in every alcoholic drink. Despite being related to joy, the Bible shows us the sad consequences of a life that becomes dependent on alcohol and not on God.

Noah, who was a farmer, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank the wine, got drunk, and was naked inside his tent.

Genesis 9:20-21

wine is mocking

and the fermented drink provokes quarrels;

it is not wise to let yourself be dominated by them.

Proverbs 20:1

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 5:18

"Say this to the Israelites: If a man or woman takes a special vow, a vow of separation to the Lord as a Nazarite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drinks and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink You may not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.

Numbers 6:2-3

Woe to those who get up early

to get drunk,

and warm themselves with wine until the night!

Isaiah 5:11

The new wine goes away,

and the vine withers;

all who were having fun groan.

Isaiah 24:7

Don't destroy God's work because of food. All food is pure, but it is wrong to eat anything that stumbles others. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes your brother to fall.

Romans 14:20-21

This statement is trustworthy: If someone wants to be a bishop, he wants a noble office. A bishop therefore must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, moderate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach; he should not be fond of wine or violent, but kind, peaceful and not fond of money.

1 Timothy 3:1-3

Similarly, let him teach the older women to be reverent in their way of life, not to be slanderous or enslaved to too much wine, but to be able to teach what is good.

Titus 2:3

Deacons likewise must be dignified, men of their word, not fond of much wine or dishonest gain.

1 Timothy 3:8

"You and your children must not drink wine or other fermented drink before entering the Tent of Meeting, otherwise you will die. It is a perpetual decree for your generations.

Leviticus 10:9

don't go with those

are drenched in wine,

nor with those

gorge themselves on meat.

Proverbs 23:20

However, be careful, do not drink wine or other fermented drink, and do not eat anything unclean; and no razor will pass over the head of the child you are going to have, because the boy will be a Nazarite, consecrated to God from birth; he will initiate the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines."

Judges 13:4-5

Whose are the woes?

Whose sorrows?

And the fights, whose are they?

What about unnecessary injuries?

Whose are the red eyes? Of those who linger drinking wine,

of those who are looking

of mixed drink.

Proverbs 23:29-30

Absalom ordered his men, "Listen! When Amnon is drunk on wine and I say, 'Kill Amnon!' you will kill him. Do not be afraid; I will take responsibility. Be strong and courageous!"

2 Samuel 13:28

Give fermented drink to

who are about to die,

wine to those in distress;

Proverbs 31:6

"It is not fitting for kings, O Lemuel;

it is not fitting for kings to drink wine,

it does not suit the rulers

desire fermented drink,

Proverbs 31:4

Daniel, however, resolved not to make himself unclean with the king's food and wine, and he asked the chief of officials for permission to abstain from them.

Daniel 1:8

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 20 TIPS FOR A HUSBAND:

1. Don't yell at your wife.

2. Take care of her words, besides hurting, they have power.

3. Never compare your wife to another woman.

4. Your love, affection, nicknames and pranks are just for her.

5. Never share your sexual intimacy.

6. Be kind and affectionate with her.

7. Don't keep secrets from her. Now you are one, so see if it cooperates, right?

8. If you have something to resolve, do it on good terms and in the privacy of your room.

9. Be grateful to her for working hard with you, your home, business, or ministry.

10. Give thanks and praise for your meal. It's not easy to cook 365 days a year. But help too, she doesn't live in this house alone, so when possible cook too, clean and wash! And keep things as clean and tidy as you found them.

11. Never put her family members before her. She is your wife, she is one with you. She should always come first!

12. Intentionally invest in your spiritual growth.

13. Don't forget to make the family altar, pray with her, with her children. You will never be a spiritual foundation for them if you don't have a prayer life!

14. Take quality time, enjoy the company, play, laugh, get to know places.

15. Never use money to manipulate or control her. Everything that is yours is hers. She was joined to you by the grace of God.

16. Never speak ill of her to others, you will be speaking ill of yourself too. Be a shield around her.

17. Honor your parents and be kind to your family members.

18. Never stop telling her how much you love her. Do this everyday. Women never get tired of being loved and listening to you.

19. Never give her negative comments about her body, that's not cool.

20. And you, be more like Jesus, for Christ must be your head, there is nothing that gives a wife more security than having someone who loves God by her side.

SOURCE: SONGS OF SOLOMON

 Second marriage with first living spouse is adultery...

If a man divorces his first wife, he is not free to marry another woman unless his wife has died.

The Bible says and nothing can sanctify or make legal a "marriage" to a second wife, not the passage of time, not the conversion of one or both partners, not custom, not human law, not public or popular opinion. , nor the decree or "blessing" of the church can make lawful a second "marriage" while the first spouse still lives."

This is what the Bible says...

""Repent" and continue to live in the same adulterous and sinful relationship with a second or third "wife" is not repentance.

This the Bible also seems to teach.

If Jesus judges a relationship as adultery, then repent means that the adulterous relationship must cease. Continuing, claiming love, or any other reason, does not change the fact that it is adultery.

A BIBLICAL TRUTH that few Christians accept!

“Nevertheless, I command those who are married, not I, but the Lord, that the woman does not separate from her husband. If, however, she separates, let her remain unmarried, or let her be reconciled with her husband; and that the husband should not leave his wife (...). But if the unbeliever wants to depart, let him depart; in such (irreconcilable) cases, neither the brother (disputed) nor the sister (disputed) is subject to servitude; God has called you to peace.” 1st Corinthians 7:10,11,15

Paul's focus in 1 Corinthians 7 is the relationship between a man and a woman. The entire chapter is made up of a series of commandments and advice aimed at three different groups: (1) single or widowed people, (2) married people, and (3) believers who married unbelievers. The apostle talks about celibacy, marriage and believers who had married pagans. Now let's undo Satan's and false teachers' deception regarding divorce and remarriage.

Paul forbids divorce and does so on the basis that Jesus forbade it (Mark 10:9; Luke 16:18; Matt. 19:3-9). This is not the mere opinion of the apostle, but the direct revelation of Jesus Christ to him, since no apostle wrote under any influence other than that of the Holy Spirit. Paul says, "not I, but the Lord, command the married", in order to assure the Corinthian believers that Jesus had already taught all this in the Gospels, and that therefore he was not saying anything new there. In contemplating the possibility of a forced breakup, Paul expressly forbids remarriage. It may seem a severe doctrine for relativistic and pagan “Christians” of our era, but the fact is that in Corinth there was an unusual spiritual laxity, a characteristic that marked that church as being the most resistant to Christian discipline due to the customs of its ancient times. beliefs in pagan gods. Nothing belonging to this life was to occupy the attention of the Corinthian believers, and Paul did not give a damn about the sheep of that congregation. This explains why Paul's language is so stern in addressing a class of recent converts who once practiced orgies in devotion to all manner of gods in ancient Greece. Therefore, it was necessary that any kind of impure thinking be avoided among the Corinthians, especially in the sexual area. And Paulo didn't spare the belt. No divorce! Second marriage, except in case of widowhood, also not!

The four immutable rules for married couples in the Church of God prescribed in 1 Corinthians 7 are:

1. Don't separate from your spouse.

2. If you separate (forced separation), stay unmarried.

3. Or, reconcile with her husband.

4. Let the husband not leave his wife.

If there is betrayal within the marriage, forgiveness and prayer for the spouse to be transformed into a new creature in Christ is the correct option.

The only exception for new marriages is for widows, at the end of the letter:

“A married woman is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wants, as long as she is in the Lord.” 1st Corinthians 7.39

Whatever the justifications of divorce and “remarriage” advocates, no passage of Scripture can teach the contrary of what is emphatically commanded in 1 Corinthians 7:39. This passage is the logical conclusion of a whole backdrop that we have seen so far. All of Christ's teaching about marital relationship, separation or union with third parties is concluded here. A new marriage is only allowed in the event of death (physical death; grave).

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is aware that a possible forced separation is inevitable. When he writes to the Corinthians on the subject, he is considering in his mind the possibility of unrepentant adultery and such cases as desertion and domestic violence. In order to make it clear to the reader that divorce and remarriage of the divorced are both condemned by God, he addresses spouses who have suffered forced separation and warns them on the basis of the same words as the historical Jesus. These individuals abandoned in marriage must remain celibate, for God has called them to peace and they are not bound to force anyone to maintain ties with them.

Therefore, Luke 16:18, Mark 10:11-12 and Matthew 19:3-11 are the norms that the apostle Paul has in mind when he goes to deal with the Church of Christ in the dispensation of grace. It is for this reason that he says: "... I command the married, not I, but the Lord", alluding to what Jesus had already said in the Gospels, but which needed to be emphasized for a people difficult to understand.

References:

“WHOEVER DIVORCES HIS WIFE AND MARRIES ANOTHER IS IN ADULTERY, and the man who marries a divorced woman is also in adultery.” Luke 16:18

“Nevertheless, to those who are married, I command, NOT I, BUT THE LORD, that the woman must not separate from her husband.

If, however, she separates, that she STAYS WITHOUT MARRYING or that she reconciles with her husband; and let the husband not leave his wife.” 1st Corinthians 7:10-11

“A married woman is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wants, as long as it is in the Lord.” 1st Corinthians 7:39

“Therefore, as long as her husband lives, if she becomes another man's wife, she will be called an adulteress. However, when her husband dies, she is released from the law, so that, without becoming an adulteress, she can marry another man.” Romans 7:3

Did you understand?

“Therefore, if she MARRIES ANOTHER MAN WHILE HER HUSBAND IS STILL ALIVE, she will be considered an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she will be free from that law, and even if she were to marry another man, she would not be an adulteress.” (Romans 7:3)... THUS SAITH THE LORD!...

DO NOT MARRY before consulting the Scriptures: marriage is indissoluble until death (Rom 7:3), it is not for everyone (Mat 19:10,11), “God hates divorce” (Mal 2:16), vow ñ breaks (Eccles 5:4), if you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven (Mat 6:15), etc...

GOD'S ALERT WILL SAVE TRIBULATION AND MANY DIFFICULTIES IN LIFE, "because not everyone is able to accept such responsibility, BUT ONLY THE VOCATIONAL" (Mat 19:10,11)... character to assume the IRREVERSIBLE (Luke 16: 18), with adjustments, resignations, forgiveness, vocation to be a father or mother, husband or wife, for the rest of their lives, it will not be for someone moved by emotions, passions, intention to “legally prostitute themselves”, etc. ... entering the sacred without due reverence and fear is quite dangerous...

Getting married is not the only option for a full life and IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE (Mat 19:11)... "taking the garbage under the rug", to deliver "zero km"... and the result is a society infested with the divorce that God hates (Mal 2:16), a multitude of abandoned children, split in half, without the his family (a heinous crime)... MARRIAGE IS NO BACK! (Mar 6:17-19)...

“MARRIAGE IS FOR VOCATIONS!” (Mat 19:10,11)... and not for the irresponsible person who does not pay attention to THE GREATER LAW, considers what is sacred banal, marries “in his own fashion”, as in the times of the Flood when “a chosen few” were left ( Mat 24:37-39) and he has to endure until the end the holy commitment whether he wants it or not (Rom 7:3)... IT IS WHAT IS WRITTEN, in the Law that will judge us on the LAST DAY (John 12:47,48 )... “so that what is called for does well, but what is not home does better!” (1st Cor 7:38)...

MARRYING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE (Mat 19:10-11), there is no turning back, but in extreme cases (eg betrayal, aggression) God allows separation, NOT DIVORCE: they are left alone, without remarrying (1st Cor 7:11) until such a one turns from his evil ways or dies (Rom 7:3)...

Credits: JP Padilha | The Gospel Without Disguises – chap. 5 – MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND NEW MARRIAGES

 BEWARE OF THE AVERAGE...

And he said to them, "Take heed and be on your guard against all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of what he possesses." (Luke 12:15)

What is the place of material possessions in a Christian's life? How should he treat money, goods and possessions? The Lord Jesus spoke about these issues when he was asked by a man to intervene in a family dispute over an inheritance. The Lord refused to intervene in the case (Luke 12:14), but used the incident to speak about the role of material possessions in this life.

Those who possessed material goods received a warning from the Lord to beware of covetousness (Luke 12:15). Avarice or greed is the excessive desire or ambition to have more and more. After warning the disciples about this, the Lord continues: they must not think that a person's life is summed up by the material things he has (Luke 12:15b).

The man who had asked Jesus to intervene was thinking only about his share of the inheritance. In fact, he interrupted Jesus in the middle of a sermon to present his request! Is this not a typical image of the modern church and society? People are so dominated by financial and material issues that they often don't hear or understand Jesus' message.

To illustrate His teaching, the Lord told them a parable about a rich man who was a fool (Luke 12:16-21). From a materialistic point of view, however, this man was very wise and not a fool. He had become rich (vv. 16-17). He had vision (v. 18). He planned to retire and live on his income and enjoy life (v. 19).

Is this not the image of the modern man and woman? Is this not the plan of life that even many Christians have adopted? What could be wrong with that? After all, the rich man in the parable was not dishonest. He grew rich through hard work and the harvest of his own fields. What's wrong with preparing for the future?

The problem with that rich man was not that he was rich or dishonest. It wasn't the fact that he was planning for the future. The problem can be boiled down to three things:

(1) He thought of no one else but himself. It never occurred to him to give, to contribute, to offer of his abundance to others.

(2) He didn't think of God and didn't take him into account either - notice that God is completely absent from the plans he made. He could even be an observant Jew, with religious habits, who went to the synagogue every Saturday and followed Israel's dietary laws and times of daily prayers. But he was a practical atheist.

(3) his plans did not extend beyond this life—note that his plans only extend to "many years" (v. 19). He could not see that life does not end with death and that the soul transcends earthly life and projects itself into eternity. Sadly, there are also Christians who make plans and strive to secure their future as if they were going to live here forever. They lost the sense of eternity, the vocation of pilgrims in this world.

Note now the penetrating question that God asks him: "Fool! This night your soul will be asked of you; and what have you prepared, for whom will it be?" (v. 20). "The shroud has no pocket," says an old proverb. Accumulated riches will be of no use beyond the grave. By that night, he would be dead and his heirs, by the next day, would be laughing and enjoying what he'd worked so hard for all his life.

The Lord's teaching is this: we should not waste our lives accumulating goods and possessions to the point of forgetting God and others. That would be greed. It would be worshiping money. It is not a sin to get rich and to possess property and goods. But it is a sin to live only for this and forget about God and others. The best remedy against avarice is giving, giving generously and regularly to alleviate the suffering of others and promote the Kingdom of God in this world (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

SOURCE:

Augustus Nicodemus Lopes