Where's The Wealth?

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study meeting June 9 to study Luke 12:13-34.  This is a familiar parable and explanation.  It contains more of the material Matthew placed in the Sermon on the Mount, but also this parable which is only found in Luke.

Read through the parable and material following a few times, and try to use a few translations.  Make notes of details, questions, and observations you discover as you read.  The point is about greed, but see if you can find other, related points Jesus is making and jot those down as well.

Read a commentary or two, Study Bible notes, online commentaries, or what you can find.  See how these help answer some questions, and what new questions they bring up.  After you revise your notes and questions, go back through with the questions below:

• Why do you think the one brother wanted Jesus to be the arbitrator of the inheritance?
• Look up this article on "inheritance" on the Blue Letter Bible site.  What can you find here that would explain what the man asked Jesus to do?
• Jesus avoids the issue with the man, but He also uses this to discuss greed with His disciples.  What could that mean about the requestor's motivation?
• Read verse 15 in a few translations.  What do you think Jesus means here?
• In this parable the rich man has a problem.  Why do you think having too much is such a problem?
• From Jesus' setup, what do you think Jesus thinks is so wrong about saving?
• The man speaks to his soul, and then God speaks.  In verse 20, God says, "This night, they require back your soul."  From the context, who do you think is this they requiring the man's soul?
• The wealth of the man should have been toward God, but it wasn't.  Yet right off the bat, Jesus dives into talking about worrying about possessions.  What do you think is the connection between the request for Jesus to make the brother share, the parable about a rich fool, and the encouragement not to worry?
• What do you see as the connection between worry and wealth?
• It's possible that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees/Lawyers earlier, but her speaks to those struggling to make ends meet.  If that's the case, what do you think Jesus is saying to them about their situation?
• Where Jesus was pretty harsh with the lawyers and Pharisees, here He seems almost gentle.  Why do you think this required a different tone, whatever the difference?
• In verse 29, Jesus repeats Himself telling them not to worry.  Read it in the King James though, and consider the difference.  It's the same Greek word, but rather than anxious or worry, it's translated as doubt.  How do you think doubt relates to worry or being anxious?
• Look up the Greek word Luke uses here (he's the only one to use it in the Christian Scriptures). Consider the range of meaning and use.  What do you think the connection is between all of those possibilities?  What does that tell you about worry or anxiety?
• What do you think it means to "seek the Kingdom of God"?

That should keep us busy for the time we have.  Keep in mind the AHA process of application of what you read.