The Rich Fool

Illustration of The Rich Fool

Jesus shared this parable with the crowds to expose the futility of greed and the illusion that security comes from accumulated wealth. When a rich man's fields yielded a plentiful crop he resolved to enlarge his storage and indulge in ease, yet that very night God required his soul and labeled him a fool for laying up treasure only for himself. The story affirms that life consists not in the abundance of possessions but in a right relationship with God, calling for stewardship that honors the Creator above all earthly treasures.

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Category: Stewardship

Meaning: Life does not consist in abundance of possessions. Storing up treasure for self while ignoring God is foolishness.

Audience: Crowds

Key Passages

The Parable

Luke 12:16-21

A16nd he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Related

Characters

Life Situations

Did You Know?

1

The rich man's plan to build bigger barns was considered wise by worldly standards.

2

God calls him 'fool'. The same word used in Psalm 14:1 for those who deny God.

3

He said 'soul, take your ease'. But his soul was required that very night.