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LUKE 12:15 -21

"THE BIGGER BARN FOLLY"

I. A MAN'S LIFE CONSISTETH NOT IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THINGS HE POSSESSES.
        A. This is exactly what so many feel.
                1. Should question be posed, "What would it take to make you a truly happy
                   person?"
                        a. Most answers would involve some material possession.
                        b. Possessions alone cannot make you happy.
                2. They look at a person living on Lido Isle with a 50' yacht moored at their
                   own private dock. "He's got it made."
                        a. What you don't see is the inner strife and turmoil.
                        b. That vain attempt to fill a spiritual void with material things.
        B. "Beware of covetousness."
                1. 10 Commandments, "Thou shalt not covet."
                2. The thing you covet will not satisfy.
                3. You're trying to find the end of the rainbow.
                4. You will-never discover the meaning of life in material things.

II. THE STORY OF THE BIGGER BARN.
        A. He felt that a bigger barn would provide him security for the future.
                1. Now I can take it easy.
                2. Now I have enough to be satisfied.
                3. If I just had a bigger barn I could kick back and relax, I'll be a happy
                   man.
        B. His estimate of his dream, "l'lI have it made."
        C. God's estimate of the plan. "Thou fool, you are going to die tonight in your 
           sleep."
                1. Who is going to spend your fortune?
                2. You have scarified and saved, you have used prudence and wisdom to amass
                   your fortune. Now who is going to spend it and how?
                        a. Your fortune will probably create worthless bums. Alcoholics.

III. WHAT DOES LIFE CONSIST OF?
        A. If it isn't possessions, or pleasure, or education, what is it?
                1. True life consists in a right relationship with God.
                        a. You could be on the list of the 10 richest men in the country and
                           still  our life is empty and meaningless.
                                1. You are a spiritual pauper.
                                2. You are spiritually bankrupt.
                                3. You have put all of your eggs in the wrong basket.
                                4. You may be rich f& life but bankrupt forever.
                        b. A right relationship with God can only be experienced through Jesus
                           Christ.
                                1. He said, "I have come that you might have life, and that
                                   more abundantly."
        B. How rich are you today toward God?
                1. What does your eternal bank account look like?
                2. You have used such wisdom and prudence to provide a secure future.
                        a. Your hope to have enough to live the remainder of your life in ease
                           and comfort.
                        b. How long is the rest of your life?
                        c. Is God saying to you, thou fool?
                3. Any man is a fool who --
                        a. Lives only for this life.
                        b. Doesn't take eternity into account.
                        c. Who takes great care to provide for present retirement, but has
                           laid up nothing for eternal retirement.
                        d. Who looks, at his investment portfolio and congratulates himself
                           on his wisdom when he is an eternal pauper.