The Rich Fool

Luke 12:13-21

I recall reading in my history studies that when the stock markets crashed back in 1929 there were several suicides across the country.  Stock markets rise and they fall. There were several big crashes in the 19th century, several in the 20th century, and there will be more throughout this one, as well.  For many people their whole life is caught up with investing their money and gaining wealth. When something like a crash happens, they have nothing to hang on to. Some might seek death, others turn to alcohol or other drugs.  Depression and hopelessness follows. Where have they been laying up their treasures? Jesus asks us this question in our Scripture reading for today. Let’s see what He has to say regarding this topic.

As our passage starts, a man comes to Jesus, asking Him to arbitrate between him and his brother about the dividing of their inheritance.  Jesus does not accede to his wishes. People in that day, and certainly today as well, believed that the rich are blessed by God, and the poor are not.  We see a lot of that talk with the “health and wealth” preachers. However, the Scriptures do not support that at all. A blessed life has nothing to do with being wealthy (vs. 15).  Jesus warns us to be on guard against greed, and desiring what we don’t have. We were created to enjoy a relationship with God. Wealth can never substitute for that.

Jesus then tells the crowds another parable, a story that teaches a spiritual lesson.  This one was about a man who was a very successful farmer, whose crops had done so well, probably year after year, and he had accumulated significant wealth (vs. 16-20).  Things were going so great for him that he wanted to build even bigger and better barns for his property. What he has right now isn’t big enough. He is feeling happy and satisfied that his future is secured.  However, God tells him that he is a fool, as his life will end, and then all that he has accumulated will mean nothing for his future eternity.

This rich fool made three mistakes in his life.  First, he provided for himself, and not others. When he became so rich, having enough money to provide for him and his family, he should have then turned and looked at others, seeing their needs.  Then he could have taken of his wealth and helped the poor and needy. Throughout Scriptures, the Lord tells us to care for those who do not have as much as we do.

His second mistake was that this rich man provided for his body, but not his soul.  That is a mistake that so many people today make. They are so concerned in making sure that their bank and retirement accounts are full and secure, but pay no attention to the condition of their eternal soul.  They feel that God and eternity are not as important as the here and now. That is the third mistake - providing for this life, and not the next. This man tried so hard to keep all he had, and ended up with nothing of eternal value.

There is nothing wrong with planning for retirement and one’s financial future.  That is a wise thing to do. However, it is far more important to have settled one’s life after death, and to be laying up treasures in heaven.  There is nothing wrong with making plans, but we need to be in a posture of humility to God, and our plans need to be in submission to Him.

Jesus wants to teach us to have a correct attitude towards the accumulation of wealth.  Life is more than material goods. Our relationship with God is far more important. Jesus spoke of this in His Sermon on the Mount, where He told us not to lay up treasures here on earth, but instead to be making sure we lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).  The ones on earth do not last, as banks can fail, markets can crash, thieves can steal all we have. What we invest in heaven and in our eternal life will always be safe and secure. We need to think beyond earthbound goals, and use what we have been given for God’s kingdom.  Don’t enter eternity empty-handed!