Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato
1999 Summer Bible Study
Sing to the Lord ~ Glorify His Name
July 11, 1999
II. Let Nothing Stand in the Way of His Glory
A. Beware of the Desire to be Rich

TODAY’S THEME: "Beware of the Desire to be Rich - Lay up genuine Treasures!"

Bible Text: Luke 12:13-21 - "The Rich Farmer"

  1. Read Luke 11:44; 12:1,4-9,13-14. What is the setting for this parable?

  2. Read Luke 12:15. What lesson does Jesus want to teach us when He tells this parable?

  3. Read Luke 12:16. How did the Lord bless the rich man in Jesus’ parable?

  4. Read Luke 12:17. What "blessed" problem did the rich man then face?

  5. Read Luke 12:18-19. How did the rich man plan to solve his problem?

  6. Read Luke 12:20. What did God call the rich man? Why did He call him that?

  7. Read Luke 12:21. How can we be "rich toward God"? (Cf. Mt. 25:34-36,40; 1 Tim. 6:17-19)

Bible Text: Psalm 49 - "The Confidence of the Foolish"

Psalm 49 was written by the "sons of Korah." The "sons of Korah" were descendants of Levi through the infamous Korah, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and was swallowed by the desert (cf. Numbers 16). They were organized as temple singers and composed eleven of our 150 Psalms. It is both interesting and instructive that while Korah lost his life in rebellion, his descendants continued to serve God with faithfully and were used by the Spirit to contribute in wonderful ways to the worship and instruction of God’s people!

  1. Read Psalm 49:1-4. To whom is this psalm addressed?
    What does the psalmist promise?

  2. Read Psalm 49:5-9. What question does the psalmist ask?
    Why shouldn’t we trust in wealth and boast in riches?
    What is God able to do that wealth and riches can’t?

  3. Read Psalm 49:10-12. What is true both for wise men and foolish and senseless men?
    What do they all plan to do?
    What always happens to their plans?

  4. Read Psalm 49:13-15. What is the end of the unbeliever who trusts in riches?
    What is the end of the believer who trusts in God?

  5. Read Psalm 49:16-20. Why do believers never have to fear rich unbelievers?
    No matter how successful a person is in this world, what must every person come to "understand"?
    Why?