Mecklenburg Community Church

What is it about stuff that we love so much? We intuitively know we cannot take it with us when we die, so why do we have such a tight grasp on it?

We love our stuff, especially our prized possessions. In fact, we often treasure our possessions way more than we do our relationship with God. Our possessions bring us a momentary sense of comfort and security. But it’s just that -- momentary.

There is a saying, “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” Have you heard it before? That is exactly Jesus’ point in the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). The Rich Fool rooted his comfort and security in his fortune. But then he died – and guess how much of his fortune he took with him? None of it.

Jesus isn’t against possessions. It’s just that our possessions are temporary. We leave them behind, and they hold no eternal value. That’s why God wants us to treasure our relationship with Him above all else; because it’s the only thing that lasts.

Stuff vs. Relationship

We've created an engaging devotional that will help your kids understand that God wants us to treasure our relationship with Him more than anything else.

Watch this video together.

Have some conversations.

For Younger Kids: What do you think Jesus was trying to tell people through this parable? Why do you think the man stored up all of his stuff instead of giving some of it away?

For Older Kids: What do you think Jesus was trying to tell people through this parable? What do you think it means to be “rich” in God’s eyes?

Use these talking points.

SAY: In the beginning of today’s story, Jesus warned the man against wanting to have more and more things. Did you know there’s a word in the Bible for that? The word is “covet.” To covet means to really really really want to have something.

ASK: Why do you think Jesus warned people not to covet stuff? (Let your kids answer)

SAY: When the rich man in Jesus’ parable died, did he get to take all of his stuff with him? No way! The rich man spent all of his life trying to get stuff that he couldn’t keep.

That’s why Jesus said it’s foolish to try to store up all kinds of stuff in this life — you don’t get to keep it. Eventually it all goes away. Jesus said that instead of being rich with a bunch of stuff, we should be rich in the eyes of God.

Wait a second! Rich in the eyes of God? What in the world do you think that means? (Let your kids try to answer that question.)

SAY: To be rich in the eyes of God means that we’re full of faith, hope and love. It means that we trust and follow Jesus and live the way He wants us to live. And when we do that, we receive a treasure that lasts forever and ever — life with God in heaven. Nothing can take that away from us.

Open up Matthew 6:20-21 together and read it out loud.

When we spend all of our time coveting more stuff, we want that stuff, we love that stuff and we give our hearts to that stuff! But when we spend our time following Jesus, we give our hearts to Him. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have some new clothes or a cool bike, but sometimes, like the rich fool, we want more stuff than we really need. And sometimes that stuff becomes more important to us than following Jesus.

So instead of working so hard to get the newest and coolest stuff, work on loving and following Jesus more and more every single day. The reward for doing that lasts forever! We hope this serves you as you continually invest in your child's spiritual growth.