THE PARABLE OF THE FOOLISH RICH MAN (Luke 12:13-21)

(Or The Story of the   Man Who Could Not See Past Material Things)

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do?  I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do.  I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years.  Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded from you.  Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

A PARABLE IS A PICTURE, A MIRROR AND A WINDOW

The word “parable” means, “to cast alongside.”  A parable is a story that teaches something new by putting the truth alongside something familiar.  It begins as a picture that is familiar, but as we consider the picture, it becomes a mirror in which we see ourselves.  If we see ourselves as needy sinners, then the mirror becomes a window through which we see God and his grace for our lives.

Therefore to understand a parable and benefit from it requires honesty and humility on our part.  As you read this story test your own response to this wealthy farmer’s experience.  The important truth that “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” is illustrated by the parable.  It is a powerful challenge to the prevailing materialism of the modern world.

INTRODUCTION

Many of Jesus’ parables, such as this story of the foolish rich man and the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), describe people who made the wrong choice, choosing earthly wealth over heavenly wealth.  The only true and lasting wealth is the spiritual and eternal riches of God’s grace.

A man who asked Jesus to arbitrate in an inheritance dispute between his brother and himself prompted this story.  Jesus refused such an inappropriate demand and said that this was not his role.  Instead he turned a question into an opportunity to teach a story about the right use of material possessions.  This parable is found only in Luke.

A WEALTHY BUT FOOLISH LANDOWNER

A successful and self-sufficient farmer knew when to retire.  It seems that his wealth was fairly gained by good management and hard work.  He probably deserved his prosperity.  There is nothing wrong with good business principles or saving for the future.  Yet Jesus called him a “fool” because he had not reckoned with God and not planned for eternal life as he had planned for his earthly life.  This was his sin of foolishness.  Moreover he hoarded wealth rather than giving generously to others.  In brief, he had no social conscience or a right relationship to God.

In the Bible the word “fool” refers to someone who is a godless person i.e. someone who lives without faith in God.  It implies a lack of insight of the reality of natural and spiritual things.  God challenged the man on his own matter-of-fact terms with the question of the future of his possessions.  Ironically, he died when he had completed his preparations to retire in comfort.  At death, he had to leave his wealth behind.  There was also the possibility that after years of careful management an inept heir might waste his possessions.

FALSE ASSUMPTIONS

The rich man made several false assumptions: that his soul could be satisfied with goods; that he could focus entirely on himself; that he would live to enjoy his possessions; that he was the owner of his property; and that material things were more important than people.

1. He assumed the human soul could be satisfied with material goods
   He imagined that material things were food for his soul.  He mistook his body for his soul.  This is the essence of materialism.  Money cannot buy everything.  The rich man failed to gain the true riches of a right relationship to God.  Thus he was a godless fool who imagined that he was in full control.

2. He assumed that he could focus entirely on himself
   The story is full of personal pronouns “my (4x), I (6x), himself” (1x), “myself” (1x).  Jesus emphasized his self-centred and self-indulgent attitude by the use of these pronouns and the absence of any other character in the story.  He was the slave of his wealth.  Jesus challenges us to think beyond earthly goals and to use what we have to benefit others.  Jesus condemns selfishness motivated by greed.  The tragedy was not what the man left behind but what lay before him: eternity without God.

3. He assumed that he would live to enjoy his possessions
   His plans were made on the basis of life continuing here.  God said to him, “Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”  The answer to that question was that it would not be the man himself.  There is a sharp contrast between the “many years” (verse 19) and “this very night” (verse 20) which meant his soul was suddenly accountable to God.  He misunderstood both life and death.  He thought that life came from accumulating material things and that death was far away.  His wealth created a false confidence.  Life is uncertain at best and sudden death may come to any one of us.  In his lack of forethought, he neglected his eternal future.

4. He assumed that he was the owner of his property
   He was only a steward or manager of God’s property.  God said, “Your life will be demanded from you.”  The Greek word translated “demanded” (NIV) or “required” (NKJV) or “render up” (Knox) has the idea of paying something back such as a loan or stolen property or something that rightfully belongs to someone.[1]  This emphasizes the idea that the rich man was a steward of his goods and not the owner.  But he had no understanding of God as the giver of all his blessings.  He kept his property to himself and ignored his responsibility to God.

5. He assumed that material things were more important than people
   He chose to love goods instead of God or people.  He seems to have lived an isolated life, as there is no other character mentioned in the story.  The rich man is not condemned for being rich but he is condemned for being self-centered, and for not using his surplus to help others.  This successful rich man was, in effect, a poor rich man.  A wealthy person may be spiritually bankrupt.

WATCH OUT FOR GREED OR COVETOUSNESS

Jesus gave a direct command to “watch and guard yourself against the spirit that is always wanting more.” (Barclay)  The Greek word ‘pleonexia’ translated “covetousness” (NKJ) and “all kinds of greed” (NIV) means “the greedy desire to have more”[2] and “loving possessions”[3].  Paul taught the Colossians that greed was idolatry (3:5).  A person worships what s/he loves regardless of a profession of religion.

Covetousness does not refer to providing for one’s own needs and those of one’s family.  Rather it is an insatiable longing for something that we do not have, especially for what belongs to someone else.  To covet is to be discontented with what God brings our way.  Our consumer-oriented society deliberately creates discontent.  Advertising skillfully encourages a consumerist lifestyle based on greed.   In subtle and powerful ways, we are persuaded that whatever we have, it’s not enough.  We need more, we need bigger, we need better, and we need the latest and the greatest.  Jesus was not telling us to look for greed in someone else but in ourselves.

According to this parable, greed is based on the false belief that what matters in life is how much one has.  It may be material things, as in this story, or status, money, power, intelligence, education, physical beauty, or even spiritual blessings; it is possible to covet anything.  The idea is that having that thing will make us content.  Yet it only needs God to take away a person’s life, as in the case of the rich fool, and it becomes apparent how useless possessions can be.  People who are satisfied only with the things that money can buy are in danger of losing the things that money cannot buy.

LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MATERIAL THINGS

In the parable of the sower Jesus warned about the “deceitfulness of wealth.” (Mark 4:19)  Only God can, and will, satisfy our real needs, as Jesus indicated (Luke 12:22-31).  Jesus did not deny that we have certain basic needs (Matthew 6:32; 1 Timothy 6:17).  But he affirmed that we would not make life richer by acquiring more material things.  While we work for our own needs, we must be rich toward God by seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness (verse 31).

Jesus emphasized that, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  He said that the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy or accumulating material goods.  Far more important is our relationship with God.  How do you respond to the constant pressure of advertising to buy?  Learn to tune out expensive consumer toys and live in a relationship with God and do his will.

CONTENTMENT VERSUS COVETOUSNESS

The apostle Paul was a pattern of contentment.  He wrote to the church at Philippi, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (4:11-12).  Discontented Christians, especially leaders, should focus on this passage.  The word ‘autarkeia’ translated “content” meant “self-sufficient” to Greek philosophers.  But Paul says that his self-sufficiency is in Christ, and not in himself.  Paul affirmed himself to be self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency (verse 13).  His relationship with Christ gave him spiritual satisfaction.

J. C. Connell notes that ‘autarkeia’ means:

“Freedom from reliance upon others.  It is not a passive acceptance of the status quo, but the positive assurance that God has supplied one’s needs, and the consequent release from unnecessary desire.  The Christian can be ‘self-contained’ because he has been satisfied by the grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Christian spirit of contentment follows the commandment of Exodus 20:17 against covetousness.” ^[4]

Paul stressed that “godliness” or “true religion”[5] is the main condition of “contentment.”  He described the principle of contentment to Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (6:6-10)

In the light of death and eternity seeking riches rather than God looks foolish.  If we remember that we came into the world with nothing and can take nothing out, we gain a perspective on what we need while here.  Paul encouraged the wealthy to hope in God not in uncertain riches.  He recommended the rich “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)  This is the right attitude for wealthy Christians.

MONEY IS A MAIN CONCERN OF FALSE TEACHERS

Paul warned that money was a main concern of false teachers “who think that godliness is a means to financial gain”. (1 Timothy 6:5)  Or as Barclay translates, “who regard their religion as a profit-making concern”.  The gospel should never be commercialized or used as a means of material advancement.  It is very dangerous for a preacher to use Christianity as a means for making personal or church wealth.  Paul was careful not to use his ministry as a way of making money for himself.  He refused to use his gifts as “a cloak for covetousness” (1 Thessalonians 2:5 NKJV).  Paul stated publicly, “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.” (Acts 20:33).

Today Christians should beware of the dangers of “Prosperity Theology” or the “Health and Wealth Gospel” that incorrectly teaches God has promised every believer a trouble-free and prosperous life.  The OT book of Job and the life of Jesus himself refute this doctrine.  This false teaching encourages perverted motives, it misinterprets God’s care for us, and it misrepresents God’s promises in the Bible.  God’s generosity centres in his lavish grace, not financial gain.  Even more at fault are the false prophets who guarantee success, or healing, or prosperity, or blessing, in proportion to donations of money.  Such false teachers should be ashamed of this distortion of the gospel of Christ.  The Pharisees fondly imagined that their prosperity was a result of their righteousness and despised the poverty of Christ (Luke 16:14).

THE PERSPECTIVE OF JESUS ON WEALTH (verses 22–34)

If reliance upon wealth is the temptation of the ‘haves’ then anxiety is the temptation of the ‘have-nots’.  Worry is the exact opposite of contentment.  Jesus taught believers not worry about material possessions but trust God’s provision.  Jesus does not suggest that work is unnecessary; he is discussing worry, not laziness.  Worry, he says, is also pointless because it does not accomplish anything.

The cause of worry is a lack of faith.  Christians should remember that their heavenly Father knows what they need.  If believers make the kingdom their concern, then God will take care of other needs.  If they have a right view of possessions, they will be free to share their possessions with others. 

CONCLUSION

The problem with the rich fool was not that he had abundant crops, or that he decided to build more storage space.  His problem was not that he was wealthy; it was his attitude.  He failed to reckon with God and he invested his entire life in his possessions.  He lived as if he would never die and he had forgotten the importance of spiritual riches.  Such a shortsighted investment in temporary material things alone is foolishness.

The rich man had not counted on the sudden command that called him to face God and to leave the property he had so carefully gathered.  “Rich toward God” implied that wealth could be invested for eternal values (cf. Luke 16:9).  How tragic when people are rich in this world but poor toward God in the next world.  The rich fool represents the great illusion of any affluent society.  God, not our goods, should have first place.

“There is no sin to which the heart is more prone than covetousness.  Folly is the right word for a man who thinks of nothing but his money.  Let us pray for rich men.  It is true wisdom to be rich towards God.  This is true providing for the time to come.  This is genuine prudence.  The wise man is concerned for treasure in heaven.  When can it be said that a man is rich toward God?  Never till he is rich in grace, faith and good works!  Neither man nor death can deprive him of his inheritance.” [6]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• What is the place of material possessions in a Christian’s life? 

• In the Bible there are many notable rich men like Abraham, Job, and Joseph of Arimathea.  The parable of the foolish rich man warns that riches may dull the heart to love for God or for people.  This is an important warning in an age of affluence.

• There is a difference between making a living and making a life.  What we are is more important than what we have.

• “The last parts of us to be converted are our pockets and purses.  Unconsciously we yearn for more material things, while consciously we think we want Christ’s kingdom.”

• The wealthy are not the only people in danger of putting wealth before God.  People of all incomes face the same danger of greed.

• Preparing for life before death is wise, but neglecting life after death is disastrous.

• The moment of my death is the decisive moment when my spiritual account with God will close.

PRAYER

Lord God, forgive us our sin of selfishness.  May we surrender ourselves and our material possessions to you in generous giving so that we serve you and not money.  This we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen

Jim Peacock MA (Hons), Diploma of Teaching.

[1]Liddell and Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon and Arndt and Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon.