The Parables of Jesus - The Rich Fool

Introduction

Today, the parable we are studying concerns every one of us, because it shows us the direction in which the world, its systems, and its values naturally lead people. It is through this way of thinking, through social and cultural values, that we are raised and taught.

For example, the value placed on money, the desire to be financially stable, and even more specifically, the pursuit of personal financial success, often become the main concern of many people, even if we do not openly say it.

Yet the Bible teaches us that gathering earthly possessions should never become our main goal, going against the popular saying — “Money does not bring happiness, but it certainly contributes.”

Yes, money is necessary for all of us, but does it ultimately bring glory to man or to God?

So how can we handle these financial realities in a way that is faithful to the Bible and pleasing to God, as people set apart by God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, while also being a good testimony in this world, remaining thankful and joyful, and above all giving all glory to our Heavenly Father for everything?

This parable says it clearly. We will see a man who was rich, yet poor in the sight of God, because he was foolish and saw no danger in storing up possessions and using his money only for himself, placing his trust in his riches, his belongings, and in a form of self-sufficiency instead of considering first the faithfulness and providence of the Kingdom of God and the needs of others.

As we will see from this passage, such an attitude does not glorify God, but leads a man to live as though he were enough for himself, without truly depending on or trusting in the Lord.

The condition of this man’s heart will show us how we should view gain and material wealth in our daily lives without ever turning them into an idol. Temporary and earthly things enslave man, while the believer is called to depend first upon the providence of God, keeping his heart attached to heavenly things rather than earthly things.

What can we take with us when we leave this earth? What are the riches that truly remain — the riches that are eternal and cannot perish? This is what we are going to see now.

Teaching

Reading of the context of the passage – “Someone in 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 arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” Luke 12:13-15 (ESV)

In this first passage, we can see that a man asks Jesus a question while calling Him “Teacher,” recognizing His role as a teacher among the people during His earthly ministry.

This man asks Jesus to intervene in a matter of inheritance between two brothers. Yet Jesus refuses to place Himself as a civil judge or arbitrator in this situation. Jesus was not primarily there to establish an earthly political or social authority, but to reveal the Kingdom of God and the condition of the human heart.

His detachment from this situation gives Him the opportunity to expose the true problem of man’s heart: covetousness.

The question of inheritance was very important at that time, because in Jewish tradition, the firstborn son received a double portion of the inheritance.

The Bible tells us: « but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his. » Deuteronomy 21:17 (ESV)

We can therefore understand that material possessions and inheritance occupied an important place in society at that time, just as they still do today.

However, Jesus reminds us here of a fundamental truth: a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, nor should his life be defined or controlled by them, as though having nothing would mean being nothing.

But because of our sinful nature, the human heart naturally becomes attached to the riches of this world, not because of assurance and confidence in belonging to the Kingdom as true children of the living God, but often because of fear of tomorrow, the need for security, the desire for control, pride, or independence.

All these things are sinful before God, because they reveal a lack of faith and a lack of knowledge of His promises and His power.

In other words, the value, security, and meaning of a man’s life cannot rest upon what he materially possesses. This shows that people often place their trust in what they own.

Even today, material possessions or inheritance can easily capture the human heart. Yet as children of God, our trust must never rest in earthly riches.

If God, in His sovereignty, allows someone to receive material blessings, glory be to God.

But these things must never become a source of pride, a change of character, or a false sense of stability in the way we live, manage our homes, or provide for the needs of our families.

The Bible tells us: « Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. » Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

This calls us to guard our hearts from the desire for the things of this world, which are temporary, limited, and deceptive, because no one knows what tomorrow may bring.

Instead, we are called to remain attached to heavenly realities — the things that are eternal. For the only true assurance a child of God can have in this life is the eternal life given by God through the complete work of Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

For if our hearts are attached to material things, then our lives will also become attached to them. But if we are detached from the world and the things that are in it, then we can fully attach ourselves to our God — the One who was, who is, and who is to come.

Reading of the parable – “And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?” And he said, “I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ Luke 12:16-19 (ESV)

In this parable, Jesus once again uses the example of a man of the land, apparently a rich farmer, in order to keep the situation clear and understandable for the crowd. It is true that a man who owned land in this fertile region of Galilee could become rich, because everything there was abundant.

We can clearly see the picture described by Jesus: a man resting in himself, satisfied with what he has, whose soul now rejoices in the pleasures of this world — a temporary life centered on self-sufficiency, pride, and personal comfort.

This man was trying to find the best way to store all his harvest, the fruit of this land which, although it had certainly been worked and prepared by him, had ultimately been created by God and not by man.

Everything the earth produces ultimately comes from God. For what can man truly produce by himself?

So he begins to make plans and projects to store up this harvest, because his barns have become far too small to contain everything.

This also makes us think about the time, energy, and effort we sometimes spend on our material possessions, our comfort, and all the things that cost us so much.

But what is the true value of storing up treasures on this earth?

When the soul is mentioned here, it expresses this inner thought: “to myself,” what I say to myself, what will be good for me according to my own desires and my own will.

Now, this man thinks, he can finally relax: rest, food, drink, and finally the pleasures and enjoyments of this life.

This man believes that he has reached the goal of his life. His barns are full, and now he can live however he wants. But where is God in all of this? In all his reasoning, there is no dependence upon God and no consideration for His will.

However, since Jesus came to reveal the Kingdom of God, this true abundance of life could only come from God through the work of Jesus Christ: saving souls and bringing spiritual and eternal riches, and not simply earthly riches, which are temporary and fading away.

Reading of the application of the parable – “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” Luke 12:20 (ESV)

The Greek word used here for “fool” is Ἄφρων (Aphrōn), which describes a person who lacks spiritual wisdom and lives without considering God or eternal realities. This word can also carry the idea of someone who is “without true meaning” or without understanding according to God.

Perhaps this man appeared wise and successful in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, his way of living was empty of true spiritual meaning, because he placed his trust in material possessions rather than in God.

This also reminds us of what Jesus said to His disciples concerning salvation: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Mark 8:36–37 (ESV)

But this question also calls the believer to consider the eternal consequences of earthly pursuits and to give priority to spiritual things rather than temporary gain.

The Bible calls us to live for eternal values, where material possessions are tools to serve the Kingdom of God rather than becoming a goal in themselves.

When Jesus uses this expression, “your soul is required of you,” it means that God has full control over every soul and every human being. Our lives are ultimately in His hands. God gives and takes away, as the Bible says.

But Jesus truly came to save souls, to forgive sins, and to deliver people from the sins that separated them from the holy presence of God.

Therefore, all those who place their faith in Him and turn away from their sins will receive eternal life with Christ. 

Whether a person is rich or poor, educated or simple, God sees the heart and not only the outward appearance.

Reading of the explanation of the parable – “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21 (ESV)

This verse is very clear, and there is really nothing more to add concerning the main point being addressed. If this man continues storing up treasures only for himself, he will lose his soul.

In this parable, Jesus is first of all speaking about a man whose heart is not regenerated, a man living without God, whose attachment to riches reveals the absence of a true relationship with Him.

This is not speaking about a believer saved by grace losing salvation, but about a man attached to the world rather than to God.

However, for a true child of God who has genuinely been born again and saved by grace, attachment to the things of this world can still lead to spiritual drifting, a cold heart, and distance in fellowship with God, even though the salvation freely given in Jesus Christ is not lost.

Jesus therefore warns here against a life centered on earthly riches rather than on God, because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

So then, what are the true riches according to God? Faith, good works, fellowship with God, love for our neighbor, truth, holiness, and the manifestation of spiritual fruit.

In summary, being rich toward God is a call to align our lives with God’s values, prioritizing spiritual riches over material gain. It involves stewardship, generosity, contentment, and an eternal perspective — all of which are essential for a life that honors God and reflects His Kingdom.

We might ask: what if I store up treasures for others? If this is according to the will of God, that is another matter. But here, the main issue is the condition of the heart.

Simply storing up possessions does not necessarily make a person closer to God or more spiritually mature.

The greatest treasure this man could have stored up was to know God personally through Jesus Christ. For without Him, no one can possess the infinite treasure of eternal life.

The Bible tells us: “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) To be spiritually rich and pleasing to God means first to know Him and love Him — the only true God — to honor Him and to serve Him.

Conclusion

To conclude this message, which I hope, by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, has touched your heart deeply, I would like to share one final passage from the First Epistle of John concerning the relationship a child of God must have toward the world and the things that are in it.

Yes, God created all things for us to enjoy with thanksgiving, but the greatest commandment must never become the least important thing in our lives.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)

Today, we are facing a major problem in some churches and movements where money is placed at the center stage, teaching that everyone can become rich, prosperous, and live in the abundance of this world. In this way, the world has entered and influenced the Church.

The Bible never teaches that earthly prosperity is the goal or proof of true spirituality in Christ.

When Jesus sent His disciples to preach the Good News of salvation, He told them to take nothing with them. Why? So that they would learn to walk by faith and see the glory of God revealed by Him providing for all their needs.

The rich man stores up, keeps, and lives for himself. But Christ emptied Himself, gave Himself, served others, and lived in perfect dependence upon the Father.

Therefore, our trust must never be placed in earthly riches, but in the living God — the One who remains forever and who is fully sufficient for His people.