THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

In Luke 12:13-21 we have the story told by Jesus of a man who was rich but sadly, a fool. How do we describe a parable? The story told by Jesus is a parable about a certain rich man. A parable is a story told to illustrate a spiritual truth. He begins by warning of the sin of covetousness or greed. Luke 12:15 says "and he said to them, take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses."

This rich man was very successful. He owned a large farm. The fields brought forth plentiful. He no doubt had everything money could buy. There is no mention of him being a godly man. There is no mention of him being sensitive to the needs of others. There is no mention of him living to the glory of GOD. What is revealed is that he was not content with the things that he had. He wanted more. He was never satisfied. This is the attitude of the person of the world. Never enough. Always wanting more. Their attitude is the person who dies with the most money and the most toys, wins. How utterly wrong they are.

How does GOD view this rich man? He saw a man who wanted to have the biggest farm, be the richest man, and live a life of ease and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He wanted to enjoy the good life. In Luke 12:19 the rich man says "and I will say to my soul, soul, you have much goods laid up for many years, take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry."

There is certainly nothing wrong with working hard, being successful and enjoying a good life. Where the problem comes in is when a person leaves GOD out of their life. What was GOD'S attitude about this man's life? Luke 12 20-21 says " but GOD said to him, you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you, then whose shall these things be which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward GOD."

What should be our attitude toward money and material things? Matthew 6:33 says " but seek first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you," GOD called this man a fool. How would we describe a wise man? A person who lays up treasures in heaven. A person who lives for the glory of GOD. A person who does not leave GOD out of his life. Luke 12 :34 says " for where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Let's choose wisdom.