The Rich Fool Luke 12:13-34
Jesus said that God referred to this man as a fool. Webster in his 1828 dictionary defines a fool as: One who is destitute of reason, or the common powers of understanding; an idiot. In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person.
The fool was he who was thoughtless, careless, conceited, self-sufficient, indifferent to God and His Will, or who might even oppose and scoff at religion and wise instruction.
David Cloud said in his Encyclopedia of the Bible “Jesus warns about calling someone a fool (Mt. 5:21-24). It is not the use of the word "fool" itself that is forbidden here, but the use of the word "fool" as an angry, hateful slander. Christ Himself called men fools on occasion; He publicly called the Pharisees fools (Mt. 23:17, 19; Lk. 11:40); and He called the disciples fools when they did not believe His resurrection (Lk. 24:25). God calls men fools when they act foolishly and wickedly (Ps. 14:1; 53:1; Lk. 12:20).”
I. The False Riches (vv. 13-15)
A. Riches (vv. 13-14). Man has always been interested in money. We all need money to have the necessities of life. Housing, food and clothing all cost money. The church must have money to operate. Money is not evil, but the love of money is (1 Tim. 6:10).
B. Reality (v. 15). Riches are not always measured in dollars and cents. Being saved and in fellowship with God makes a person rich. Our families, our health, are all riches people enjoy. The man in the parable was not satisfied he wanted more.
He coveted the wealth and the easy life he thought the crops would bring.
Coveting is disobeying the Tenth Commandment (Exod. 20:17). Coveting is a deceptive and destructive sin.
II. The Foolish Reasoning (vv. 16-19)
A. The man's success (vv. 16-l7). He had very good crops. He was successful in planning and preparing the good crops. He was evidently not a lazy man. To work and be successful is not a sin. When money, fame, worldly pleasure or any thing else is put before God it is sin.
B. The man's selfishness (vv. 17-19). And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 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. 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. The words, I, my, thou, and thine appear thirteen times in these three verses. The number thirteen in scripture shows depravity or rebellion. This man rebelled against God. Were not told he fought the church or cursed the preacher but quietly he rebelled.
III. The Final Results (vv. 20-21)
A. Death (v.20). Note that God calls this man a fool. Remember, we cannot take our possessions with us when we die (1 Tim. 6:7).
B. Deception (v. 21). So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. If we have Christ, we are rich. We have heaven to look forward to. We have the blessings of God to enjoy in this life. Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
IV. The Faithful Reliance (vv. 22-26)
A. Worry (vv. 22-23). Don't worry about what you will eat, wear, or where you will live. God will take care of these concerns for you. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
B. Wonder (v. 24). Stop to consider the wonderful way that God cares for the birds. We are more important than the birds.
C. Worthless (vv. 25-26). Does worry help? Of course not! Learn to cast all your care on him. See 1 Peter 5:7.
V. The Father's Resources (vv. 27-34)
A. Flowers (v. 27). God gives beauty to the flowers. All of Solomon's riches couldn't match their beauty.
B. Faith (vv.28-30). We must trust in God, put him first in our lives. He will meet our needs. Note the importance of faith Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
What are we doing for God with our possessions? Are we sharing in our giving? Are we paying our tithes? (Mal. 3:8-10) There is the danger for the Christian to love money and commit sin 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. We can also love the world and commit sin.
Note the words of Paul in Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When we put him first in our lives, then we are truly rich.