Pastor Larry started the "In It To Win It" series
With a sermon filled with facts, not theories
In many areas the enemy tries to attack
Telling us about many things we may lack
Focusing on money is perhaps his main scheme
More than half of Jesus' parables dealt with this theme
Pastor focused on the Parable of the Rich Fool
Looking at Luke 12:13-21 as if we were in school
After reading it all, he zeroed in on verse fifteen
Because in that passage, three key points are seen
The first is to "watch out, be on your guard"
We must be ready to battle the enemy hard
For he tries to rob our inheritance and joy
All sorts of temptations he does employ
And because the enemy wants us to be hurt
Per 1 Peter 5:8, be self-controlled and alert
We then heard a strong testimony from Art
He never quit and then God did His part
So when we feel like we are in a dark hole
Just remember that God is always in control
The second is "against all kinds of greed"
Pastor mentioned things we don't need
The first three that he did then name
Too much money, prestige, and fame
These can lead to gluttony and hoarding
The result of course is far from rewarding
The spirit of greed causes a downfall
For people and nations, one and all
Greed is the desire to have more and more
Which per Exodus 20:17 God does abhor
Money "merely unmasks men" said Henry Ford
That is consistent with the views of our Lord
Instead we should help others in need
Be careful, for pride often leads to greed
Materialism can rob us of blessings from God
To Luke 12:17-19 Pastor then gave a nod
So many "I"s and "my"s, he was so self-centered
Heaven was not a place the rich fool entered
To Colossians 3 verse 5 we did then turn
"Put to death" greed, or idolatry we did learn
For the greedy, Matthew 6 : 24 will hit a nerve
Between God and money, one cannot both serve
If we are generous, per 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
We will be taken care of by God in heaven
He will look after both our desires and needs
If we are not greedy in our thoughts or deeds
This can be seen in Ephesians five verse three
No hint of impurity or greed should others see
What life does not consist of was the third
"An abundance of possessions" we heard
For in Jesus is where real life is found
This is a topic on which to expound
More money and things do not our lives really fulfill
To focus on quality, not quantity, should be our will
Pastor then referred to 1 Timothy 6 : 17-19
"Be rich in good deeds" is there clearly seen
In God, not wealth, we should put our hope
The other way leads to a slippery slope
Doing good creates a strong foundation
Be the opposite of greedy, in summation
In conclusion, a nugget Pastor did us feed
He said "don't feed greed, sow the seed"
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