Why Not to Build a Bigger Barn

I want you to do something radically different than maybe you were raised to do or heard you should do. Think of all that you have that God has given you to enjoy (I Timothy 6:17b). Your time, your health, and your wealth. Now think about the rest of your life. What is your best guess how long you will live? The American average is 77 years of age. I’m planning to 80. After that is gravy. Now that could be 50 more years, 40, 30, 20, or 10 for you. If it’s 10, add another 10 because you’ll probably live longer than 77, and that sounds really depressing.

OK, now plan out how you want to use your money to maximize your enjoyment of God and others in this life. Ask yourself, What do you want to do before you die?, what do you want to invest in?, how much do you want to leave to kids?, how much do you really need for retirement? Let’s talk about it. You have one life to live and I want to enjoy it. Now you might be thinking, this does not sound biblical. What part? Enjoying life? Investing in causes you believe in? Saving only what you need for the future? Leaving some behind for your kids? Sounds hedonistic? Really? To me it sounds inviting. I’m so done with the messaging framed by shame. “You should…” What? What should I do? Tell me oh wise one. I have an idea. Let’s consider the rich guy who had so much money that his response was to build a bigger barn. Did he do good? Luke 12:3-21. What did Jesus say he did wrong? What should he have done? This is all about practicing the biblical virtue of generosity. Being generous is more than simply writing a tithe check every week to your church or storing it all away for some future date that may never come. Oh, it’s so much more. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face, you may be sucking on a persimmon instead of ripe mango.