Howard Robard Hughes Jr. was best known during his lifetime as one of the richest and most influential people in the world. He was an American aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, investor, philanthropist and pilot. But at the end of his life Hughes turned into a recluse, sitting alone in a private theater watching movies for hours. At the time of his death, his hair, beard, and fingernails were all long and he barely weighed 90 lbs… the result of undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder and long-term drug addictions.
When we hear stories like this we often say, “That’s not ME!!!” Jesus said, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” He knew that ALL of us have the capacity to get overtaken by the temptations of riches. It doesn’t really matter how much money we have, it’s more about our attitude – in other words, where our “heart” is.
This Sunday we’ll study the parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-34. My prayer for all of us is that we’ll read this cautionary tale, evaluate our hearts, and live out the rule and reign of our King Jesus through everything God has given us – time, treasure, and talents!
In Christ,
Kurt Jones