For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
-- Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV
I will tell you a story about Eliza. Eliza and her brother just picked up a large box of pizza from their favorite pizza place and were on their way back home. Waiting for the train to take them home, a homeless man had encountered them: "Ma'am can I have a slice of your pizza?" The man asked. Eliza, frightened by the man in the train station who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere said "No sir this isn't for me". Of course, Eliza would be right in that regard, considering there were only 4 slices left, two of which her brother would eat and the other two for her mother. But as the subway cars left the station, Eliza felt immensely guilty for the decision she had made. In her mind she thinks "I would have given him 2 slices! I should have given him the whole box, it's just pizza". Talking to friends, family, and God, she concluded that although she did make the wrong choice, God knew her heart and that the next time she would do her best.
Eliza grappled with what some call "I Syndrome," a tendency to prioritize self-care over caring for others. This struggle echoes throughout biblical narratives, where individuals faced similar challenges. However Jesus, in Luke 12, imparts wisdom to address this syndrome, illustrated through the parable stated in lines 13-22.
Before those verses, Jesus tells his disciples and followers to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Leaven in baking modifies the desired shape of bread and cake, it allows for a more tighter or softer dough to occur. When Jesus compares the latter to the former, he is warning against the modification of the Pharisees, who will tell people A, but are also doing B. They believe they are walking according to the word because of their position, yet they are just like any other citizen at that time: a sinner needing to be saved by God's grace.
Thus, the reaction from the warning would be to worry. Why is someone telling me to beware of these folks who could taunt me and lead me to be killed? Jesus tells them not to worry, as though evil men can kill the body, they shouldn't be afraid. They should only be afraid of the one that "which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." who is him? Satan of course. Lets refer to Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
This warning reminds me of a song called "Tomorrow" by the Winans Brothers. Here are some of the lyrics :
I'll give my life tomorrow
I thought about today
But it's so much easier to say
Tomorrow, who promised you tomorrow
Better choose the Lord today
For tomorrow very well might be today
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Just this past sabbath a Pastor had preached about a young man that was going to the club one more time. My assumption was that this young man was going to give his life to God, and that he would do so after going to the club. However, he soon would find out that this would be not just be his last time in the club, but his last time on earth. A friend stabbed him in the neck during a heated argument. He lost his life, and even his soul.
Clearly, I syndrome can lead to death, leaving you to lose your soul and body, especially when you decide to live for the world rather than for Christ . However, as stated before, Jesus, through this parable shows us how to address this syndrome:
Jesus encounters a man who asks him to intervene in a family dispute over inheritance, saying, "Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Below, we will delve into the parable. Click on the arrow to proceed to a comprehensive analysis of the verses.
14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Your life is not dependent on what you have or what you own. You may have 25,000 in the bank but that will not save you, you may have the latest IPhone, Macbook, or even Tesla, and yet your life will mean nothing. Taking in pride in what you possess should not be your #1 Goal. Additionally, verse 14 is quite important in understanding the character of God. He would never divide property so that one person can have more than the other. That would not serve as evidence for God being just. God would rather unity, or for one to turn the other cheek.
16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
The theme of "I" reoccurs prominently here. Following a bountiful harvest, the individual in question, enriched by his possessions, neglects to share with those in need around him. Instead, he opts to construct a larger barn for his surplus. It's intriguing how pride can drive one to nonsensical actions. Building a barn susceptible to destruction by wind, flood, or lightning seems imprudent. Moreover, perishable fruits inevitably decay. Thus, the logic of erecting an expansive barn to store goods appears flawed, especially considering its impermanence. Even if it endures, the investment of time and resources renders it futile/useless.
19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Friends, everything on this earth is destined to pass away. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." (Revelation 21:1) God will bring an end to the current heaven and earth, replacing them with a new creation where He and His chosen ones will reign in perfect harmony, free from pride and sin.
The mansions, wealth, and material possessions we cling to will be consumed in the fire of judgment, along with those who stubbornly hold onto the "I syndrome." God spoke to the church of Laodicea saying "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). Both the man in the parable and the church of Laodicea faced judgment and were shamed for their misplaced trust in riches. They forgot that their true wealth lies in God's character and that salvation cannot be purchased with material wealth.
This serves as a lesson: the only cure for the "I syndrome" is to invest in treasures in heaven, through Christ Jesus alone, relying solely on God for salvation from the destruction of this world and the grip of sin. Despite our worldly success, we may lose sight of our spiritual poverty. We become fully focused on the amount of degrees and the prestige of our positions, forgetting that these blessings, while ultimately belonging to God, are tied to this earthly realm. Our true destination lies in heaven, attained by faithfully following the testimony of Jesus Christ and obeying the 10 commandments (Revelation 14:12).
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