Wednesday, June 26, 2024
The Parables of Jesus Series
Tonight’s Study – Session 24: The Parable of the Rich Fool
Introduction: Jesus teaches about the foolishness of trusting in earthly riches in the Parable of the Rich Fool. His teaching of this parable was in response to a statement made by a man about dividing an inheritance with his brother. Some measure success by a person’s possessions. To God, our minds should be on spiritual things. Jesus’ teaching in this parable directs our focus back to the spiritual and preparing for eternity.
The Parable of the Rich Fool is only found in the Gospel of Luke.
Let’s Take a Look at Our Passage
Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So, he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then Whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21)
A Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
Verse 13
“The right of the firstborn” was a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).
But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
(Deuteronomy 21:17)
Perhaps the man who made this statement in verse 13 wanted an equal share. In any case, Jesus seemed unconcerned about the implied injustice, and refused the man’s request to arbitrate the family dispute. Of course, Jesus could see into his heart, possibly Jesus saw greed there.
Verse 14
One of Christ’s roles is that of judge of all the earth (John 5:22), but He did not come to be an arbiter of petty earthly disputes. Settling an inheritance dispute was a matter for civil authorities.
Verse 15
In verse 15, Jesus gives a warning and then speaks about a wrong assumption about possessions. He warns against breaking the 10th Commandment.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)
It’s not wrong to have things, but it is wrong to want what everyone else has. It is a wrong assumption to make that a person’s success is based on the amount of earthly possessions they have. True riches are in Christ. The Apostle Paul puts it pretty-clearly about what we bring into this world and what we are going to take with us when we leave.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
(I Timothy 6:7)
Verse 16 – Success
Jesus acknowledges that a certain rich man had crops that yielded bountifully. The man had done very well, may even be considered blessed. He should be commended for his foresight and plans. As Christians, we should plan- for the future- with diligence.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Verse 17 – Substance
The rich man had more crop success than he could use. Nothing is said of helping or giving to the poor and needy; all was for self. 1 John 3:17 speaks about having and being greedy with our possessions.
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
Verse 18 – Selfishness
He would replace the small barns with larger barns, but he didn’t seek God in this matter. He had his plans and God had his. The book of James speaks on the matter of planning and not presuming upon our own plans. James 4:13-15 says, Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Verse 19 – Satisfaction
The rich man would take it easy and enjoy life. He had all he needed, so he thought.
Note: It is futile to gain the whole world yet lose your soul. Eternity in heaven is priceless and the most important thing in the world.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)
Verse 20 – Death
God called this man a fool! The rich man was a fool because he trusted in his own heart and money, but not God. Jesus tells us that wherever our heart is, there our treasure is too.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)
The rich man was also a fool because he was not prepared for death. Death can come at anytime, and we must all be prepared. Only God knows that day because He has appointed it for each person.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)
Verse 21 – Deception
“Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven.” (Luke 12:21, TLB)
Riches may buy an earthly home, but not a heavenly home. Money isn’t a problem if we control it, when it controls us, there is a big problem. And money isn’t the root of all kinds of evil, it is the love of it that is.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)
The late missionary Jim Elliot famously said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
God’s Timeless Word to the Rich About Their Riches
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Conclusion: The Parable of the Rich fool is a timeless lesson and warning against loving riches and not preparing for eternity. God’s Word calls those who acquire riches in this world but not prepare for eternity, fools! In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to be too concerned with our food, homes, and possessions. If we worry about these things, we are like the non-Christian. God would have us trust in Him totally and not our uncertain riches. We all came into this world with nothing, and we will leave it with nothing. The only thing that we will take to heaven with us one day as Christians is our relationship with Christ. And when we have a personal relationship with Christ, we have something that no amount of riches can buy, eternal life!
Wednesday, July 10th – Session 25: The Parable of The Watchful Servants