Luke 12:21

Arabic Bible ERV 2009

«هَكَذا تَكُونُ حالُ مَنْ يَخزِنُ كُنُوزاً لِنَفسِهِ، دُونَ أنْ يَكُونَ غَنِيّاً بِاللهِ.»

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Luke says that someone who only cares about saving up lots of money for themselves is not really rich in what truly matters to God. Jesus is speaking, warning people against being too focused on earthly treasures and forgetting about spiritual wealth.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a big piggy bank full of coins, but you never use them to help others or do good things. That’s like the person in this story who only cares about having lots of money for themselves. Jesus is saying that being kind and loving towards others makes you truly rich.

Historical Background

This verse was written by Luke, a doctor and historian, around 60-80 AD. He wrote it to help Christians understand Jesus' teachings in the context of their everyday lives. In those times, people often equated wealth with happiness and success, which is why this teaching from Jesus was so significant.

Living It Out Today

Imagine someone today who spends all their time working and saving money but never finds time for family or community service. This verse reminds us that true richness comes not just from having money but also from being generous with our resources to serve others and deepen our relationship with God.

Topics

• riches
• treasure
• spiritual wealth
• generosity
• materialism
• Jesus' teachings

Related Verses

• Matthew 6:19-21
• Mark 8:36
• Ecclesiastes 5:10
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19
• James 5:1-6

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Jesus focus on the concept of being rich toward God?

Jesus emphasizes this because true wealth in God's eyes is not measured by earthly possessions but by faith, love for others, and service to God. Being 'rich' toward God means prioritizing spiritual values over material wealth.

How can someone be rich towards God?

Being rich towards God involves using your resources to serve others, practicing kindness, generosity, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It’s about investing in eternal treasures rather than temporal riches.

What are some practical ways to avoid being overly focused on earthly treasures?

You can set aside time for prayer and reflection, practice thankfulness, volunteer your time or resources to help those less fortunate, and seek opportunities to share the message of Christ with others.

How does this verse relate to modern financial advice like saving money?

While it’s wise to save money for security and future needs, this verse challenges us not to let our focus on savings overshadow our spiritual growth and service to God. Balancing both material prudence with spiritual richness is key.