"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22
"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22

AUGUST 22nd

A CERTAIN RICH MAN (Continued)


Scripture Reading: Luke 12:16-21

 

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And 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.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But 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?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

     As seen, the rich man, or "fool" as God referred to him, was addressing his selfish soul. He was considered a fool by God because his mind had not been renewed in spirit and it was impossible for him to think on spiritual things. He will not regard God and the fool hath said in heart there is no God (Psalm 14:1). This man spoke to his soul saying, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Ease generated by the soul gives a false sense of security. It is carnal. Remember, life and peace are the result of a spiritual mind and not a carnal one (Romans 8:6). Oh, the wonderful, hidden clues Jesus left for believers in this parable.

 

     The soul is given feminine gender in Scripture for our learning. The soul or woman is not to not usurp the authority of the spirit man who is in union with God. The root meaning of soul is to take breath or refresh as Adam did when God breathed into him, and he became a living soul. It is God’s design that the soul receive from the spirit. Man has that order reversed, and it is costing dearly in spiritual capital. The soul must be kept under subjection to the spirit. As David the king of old said, "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord… (Psalm 34:2)." Jeremiah adds, "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him (Lamentations 3:24). Our Lord Jesus weighed in on the matter of the soul declaring, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself (Luke 10:27) (underline added for emphasis). The witness of these Scriptures prove that the soul should never be in control in the life of the believer. They further show how far off the mark spiritually the rich man is in this parable and the humble soul is aware of it.

Continued

 

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