Mar 22 2009
Are We Building Bigger Barns?
It’s a sign of the times, I suppose, but I’ve recently watched HGTV shows where people are gutting perfectly decent and presentable homes at tremendous cost simply because they aren’t the latest and most luxurious.
So what’s going on? Well, as I was pondering the issue, the Lord brought to my mind the parable of the rich man in Scripture. Remember? He told himself he had much goods laid up for the future, with barns so full to overflowing with good things that they could hold no more, so what did he decide to do? He decided to tear down those barns and build bigger barns. (See Luke 12:16-21)
The parallels are stark between the two scenarios, aren’t they? We who have known nothing but blessing and wealth are now tearing down our barns to build bigger ones. But remember what the Lord told the man in the parable? He said, “Tonight your soul will be required of you.”
Scary thought, isn’t it? Yesterday I asked this question: Why (as believers in America and other blessed nations) are we feathering our nests when we’re supposed to be focusing on heaven?
The next question is: How can we do this when people are starving in places like Kenya where I have a wonderful friend, a young national evangelist/pastor (with a wife and famly) who is preaching and winning souls amid the horror of civil war, drought, and famine. And this dear young man who just longs to be Jesus with skin on to his people, can’t even feed his family, let alone the thousands of others who look to him for answers and bread. And this while we sit at home tearing down our barns to build bigger ones (when Brother Gideon Mudenyo needs help)!
We should be ashamed! I am. My heart breaks when I hear this, and it makes me long for the means to pour out on this dear man, sending money to help buy food for starving people whom apparently only God can feed, not only with the bread of heaven but with literal food.
What are we doing, people? We’re fiddling while Rome burns. Can you see it in vivid, living color the way I see? May God break our hearts over our selfishness and pride, and for misusing our blessings this way. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. Will we be weighed in the balances and found wanting?
May God forgive us. May we be about our Father’s business of winning souls, and supporting others who are–foregoing our bigger barns, lest we pay with our very souls. Let us repent and listen and obey, while there’s still time, or regret it for all eternity.
Let him who has an ear hear!
Because of His great love,
Nancy
