Sermon Central
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Affluenza [april Fools Message] Series
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 30, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: The Parable of the Rich Fool. "Affluenza" is the disease, the love of money is the root cause, and this story of Jesus is the cure! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.
Ample Fool’s Day
http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RichFool.html
Why is it that when life is going the best and we have the most, that we act the most foolishly? When supplies are ample, or we are celebrating a great victory, or someone praises us—we take such opportunity to show what we’re really made of.
Why do we show our foolishness at such inappropriate times? We’re sinners. Meanwhile, God is perfect. He is wise, and we are foolish! Yes, and when times are good is when we can come down with a good case of “Affluenza!” To be affluent is to have much, but beware, it can be a curse, or at least can lead you down the wrong paths. Don’t get me wrong, I believe God wants to give to us richly, but in the right perspective which is hardly ever present! Our God is so good to us…and so we receive the benefits, but often we forget the “Benefactor.” [the One Who gives all to us.] "Affluenza" is the disease, the love of money is the root cause, and this story of Jesus is the cure! But first…
The Bible speaks of a number of fools.
1. The unbelieving fool. Psa 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.”
2. The ignorant fool. Prov.1:7 “fools despise wisdom”
3. The self righteous fool. Prov. 12:15 “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes”
4. The mocking fool. Prov.14:9 “fools mock at sin”
5. The self sufficient fool. Rom.1:22 “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”
6. The Christian fool. I Cor. 4:10 “we are fools for Christ sake.”
7. The Rich Fool. Luke 12:16 “thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required.”
Truly, the love of money is the root of all evil. But God has help for us today…
"There are some things money can buy, for everything else there’s the Jesus."
I’m a card carrying representative for the MASTERSCARD. A new Bible may cost you $20, and an Easter lily today will run you $15, but an eternity in heaven [say it with me] PRICELESS!
Let me tell you about it ...
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NO expiration
I couldn’t afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me.
My name is written on the card for all to see. It is accessible twenty-four hours a day from anywhere in the world. The MASTERSCARD has so many benefits it’s hard to list them all, but let me just say that you might want to apply for a personal card yourself.
The MASTERSCARD gives you access to many "Members Only" benefits:
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There is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from the MASTERSCARD.
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It has the highest rates I’ve ever found when it comes to…
Joy, Lasting peace, and Dependability
Another great thing about the MASTERSCARD is that it never expires. Once you’re a member, you’re a member for life ... eternal life, that is. (Membership has its privileges, you know)
If you’re a sinner, then you qualify! But, don’t delay! This great offer won’t last forever. But the benefits will. Don’t leave Earth without it!
[back to today’s text]
Notice the progression:
MAN’S WEALTH (v.16,17)
…leads to man’s will
MAN’S WILL (V.18,19) “I will”
1. I will pull down my barns.
2. I will build greater barns.
3. I will store my produce.
4. I will say to my soul.
5. I will eat, drink, and be merry.
…the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Man’s wealth leads to man’s woe…
MAN’S WOE (V.20) “ but God said unto him”
1. The woe of being a fool.
2. The woe of sudden death.
3. The woe of losing it all.
4. The woe divine judgment.
He received the benefits but forgot the benefactor.
Four Reasons Why God Called the Rich Man a Fool:
I . BECAUSE OF HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD.
A. Never thanked God for anything.
B. He left God out of his life all together.
II. BECAUSE OF HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS.
A. His interest was in things, and possessions instead of people.
B. He ignored the second commandment. “love thy neighbor”
Ill.--The chairman of the community charity called on a notorious miser. “Sir,” said the fund-raiser, “our records show that despite your wealth, you’ve never once given to our fund drive.” He replied, “Do your records show that I have an elderly mother who was left penniless when my father died?” fumed the tightwad. “Do your records show that I have a disabled brother who is unable to work? Do your records show I have a widowed sister with small children who can barely make ends meet?” “No, sir,” replied the embarrassed volunteer. “Our records don’t show those things.” “Well,” said the miser. “I don’t give to any of them, so why should I give anything to you?”
