The Dangers of Self Satisfaction

1. Read: Luke 12:16-20

2. About the Text:

1) The parable of the rich fool is a story about a man who is self-satisfied.

2) He has reaped his harvest and now has no need to go further.

3) He is resting on his laurels.

3. What does it mean to be “self-satisfied?”

1) It is the idea that I have done enough and don’t need to do any more.

2) It is when a person feels that he/she has plateaued spiritually and needs nothing further.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Sees self as having no spiritual needs.

1) This is the opposite of what Jesus said.

2) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

3) It is the opposite of humility; one doesn’t see himself as needing to be lifted up.

4) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

2. Does not see a need to change for the better.

1) There is no need for self-examination with this mentality.

2) “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

3) “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

3. Will seek power and control to “stabilize” his/her situation.

1) This leads to “status quo” mentality—spiritual stagnation.

2) “Just keep things the way they are; don’t rock the boat!” – A sure formula for death.

3) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

1. Greediness or covetousness is a selfish attitude toward possessions.

1) It is the opposite of the spirit of giving or grace.

2) “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

2. The greedy hoard what they have so others can’t benefit from it.

1) “So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners” (Proverbs 1:19).

2) “He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare” (Proverbs 21:26).

3. The greedy think they have accomplished something by merely saving what was given.

1) Think about the one talent man who hid his talent in the ground.

2) Matthew 25:24-27.

1. Affects the work of the church.

1) The self-satisfied sit back while others do the work.

2) They wait for others to do the work.

3) “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

4) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

2. Produces Procrastination

1) These put off tomorrow what needs to be done today.

2) “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

3. Not Proactive

1) Christians are supposed to be a proactive people, not reactive.

2) “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10).

3) Consider Mark 16:15 and Matt.28:20 – GO!

1. When we are self-satisfied, we open ourselves to sins of 1) Pride, 2) Greed, and 3) Laziness.

2. Invitation