Series Introduction:

Welcome back to our journey through the Parables of Jesus! Today, we're diving into the Parable of the Rich Fool. As we unpack this parable, we're going to confront some challenging questions: What really drives us in life? Where do we find our sense of security and value? Is it in our material wealth, our social status, or something far more valuable and eternal? This parable isn't merely a critique of wealth; it's a mirror held up to our souls, asking us to scrutinize where our true treasures lie. 

Scripture Reading:

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.” 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.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” - Luke 12:13-21, ESV

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as we gather to delve into Your Word and the Parable of the Rich Fool, guide our hearts and minds to understand the true value of spiritual richness over earthly wealth. Help us embrace simplicity, dedicate our talents and resources to Your work, and engage deeply in prayer and worship, aligning our desires with Yours. Strengthen our involvement in our church community and kindle within us a passion for sharing Your Gospel. Teach us to prioritize eternal treasures over temporary, worldly gains and to live lives that reflect our true purpose in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Introduction

In this passage, we see Jesus confronted by a man who is embroiled in a family dispute over an inheritance. While Jesus is in the midst of teaching about living a life of devotion to God, this man is more focused on his material possessions. He seeks to manipulate Jesus' authority for his own gain. However, Jesus does not engage in the specifics of the dispute. Instead, He addresses a universal human struggle: the allure of greed and the misguided belief that wealth equals worth. Through the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus cautions us against the perils of anchoring our lives in the pursuit of earthly riches, blind to the eternal reality of our existence.

The Desire for Earthly Gain

In Luke 12:13 we read:

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” - Luke 12:13, ESV

Although this request may seem reasonable at first glance, it reveals the speaker's sense of entitlement and greed for material possessions. Jesus could have stopped his teaching to resolve this family conflict; however, Jesus wisely chose not to get involved in the financial matter. Jesus' response, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" (Luke 12:14, ESV), shows that while Jesus cared about justice on earth, He had a greater purpose. Although Jesus is the Lord, during His time on earth, He did not primarily concern Himself with making civil judgments on matters such as dividing an inheritance. Instead, Jesus focused on matters of salvation and God's coming kingdom.

Jesus understood that the man who asked for help with his inheritance did not need a fair ruling on financial matters; what he truly needed was an inner transformation that only Jesus could provide.

Christ used this interruption as an opportunity to impart a life-changing truth. In wisdom, Jesus responds,

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” - Luke 12:15, ESV.

He echoed the tenth commandment found in Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet." This commandment is a guard against the malignant nature of greed, which often entangles our hearts and minds.  

The tenth commandment may be the most overlooked of all the commandments in our modern society, so much so that few people see coveting and greed as sins, and some even argue that these sins are virtuous. We ignore that God explicitly forbids coveting in his Law, a command echoed through the writings of the prophets.

The prophet Isaiah declared woe on those who bought up more land than they could ever use and hoarded it up so that there was no land left for others who needed it:

“Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land.” - Isaiah 5:8, ESV

Likewise, the prophet Micah condemned the Israelites of his day for coveting what their neighbor had to the extent that they no longer saw their neighbor as a fellow man but rather as an obstacle to be overcome so that they might obtain his inheritance.

“They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.” - Micah 2:2, ESV

In the same way, the prophet Ezekiel scolded the Israelites of his day for being so preoccupied with their possessions and the accumulation of more possessions that they neglected obedience to the word of the Lord.

"And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain." - Ezekiel 33:31, ESV

These prophets described people who seem reminiscent of the man from our passage this morning who interrupted Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God to ask if Jesus could arbitrate a family dispute over inheritance. The man hoped to gain a larger share of his brother's inheritance, and he saw Jesus as a potential mediator who could help him achieve that goal.

Beloved, let us consider the grave and far-reaching consequences of coveting. In Joshua 7, we encounter the tale of Achan, a stark reminder that one person's greed can bring disaster upon an entire community. Achan, seduced by forbidden spoils, not only sealed his fate but also caused suffering for the people of Israel. Then, we witness the downfall of King David in 2 Samuel 11. His covetous eyes upon Bathsheba set off a cascade of sin, leading to adultery and murder. In 1 Kings 21, we see King Ahab, consumed by his desire for Naboth's vineyard, committing an atrocious act resulting in the shedding of innocent blood.

Moving to the New Testament, in Acts 5, the demise of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a grim warning. Their greed and deceit, hidden under the guise of generosity, led to their sudden deaths. Finally, in 1 Corinthians 6:10, the Apostle Paul unequivocally states that those who covet will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In these scriptural accounts, we are faced with an undeniable truth: coveting is tantamount to playing with fire from hell. Again and again, the Scripture warns us about the dangers of letting our desires run unbridled. We are shown how a moment of covetousness can derail the life of even the most devout, compelling one to commit unimaginable sins. Coveting is not a minor lapse but a perilous snare that leads to destruction, both in this life and the next. As followers of Christ, we are beckoned to resist such destructive desires. 

However, Scripture does speak of one, and only one, form of coveting that is commendable – a deep, earnest desire for spiritual gifts and service in the kingdom of God. Paul encourages believers to covet the more excellent gifts of God that come from a deeper walk with Him:

“But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” - 1 Corinthians 12:31, ESV

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts…” - 1 Corinthians 14:1a, ESV

This duality in the concept of coveting teaches us an important lesson: our desires, when directed toward God and His kingdom, are noble and praiseworthy. But when they turn towards selfish gain and material possessions, they lead us down a path of destruction. Let us, therefore, pray as the psalmist did;

“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” - Psalm 119:36, ESV

Again, I am reminded of the man from our passage who had direct access to Christ, the Word of God made flesh, but rather than listening to the teacher from heaven, his mind is preoccupied with getting a more significant share of worldly inheritance.

Let us not make the same mistake as this foolish man. We are invited to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all our needs will be met according to His glorious riches.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33, ESV.

Greed is not limited to a particular economic status; both the wealthy and the less affluent are susceptible to its pull. On one hand, money can easily breed greed and covetousness, leading individuals to constantly desire more than they need. On the other hand, it can create a deep-seated anxiety about wealth and security. Jesus' warning is universal, addressing all kinds of covetousness. This desire for excess, always wanting more than what is necessary, is never satisfied. The affluent may be tempted to accumulate more, while those with less may covet what others have. Covetousness is aptly described as a "fat demon with a small mouth" – no matter what it is fed, it always craves more. The gospel's response to these destructive tendencies is to prioritize God's kingdom, knowing with assurance that God, as a perfect Father, will provide for our needs.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

In Luke 12:16-20, Jesus tells the story of a farmer whose land produced an abundant harvest. He was a man who had acquired his wealth honestly, without deceit or exploitation. God had blessed him materially with favorable conditions for his crops, leading to abundant yields. To the outside world, he was a figure of success, someone to be admired and respected. However, unbeknownst to him, he was in great spiritual peril.

Faced with an abundant harvest, the rich man pondered over what to do with his abundance. He lacked space to store all of his surplus crops. He could have sold his excess and put his money to good use, or he could have given away his excess crops to those in need. Instead, his solution was to tear down his existing barns and build bigger ones to accommodate all his grain and goods. This man did not want to be generous or to wisely steward his abundance to benefit himself and others. No, this man envisioned a future where he could relax, eat, drink, and be merry, living off of this harvest for many years to come.

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ - Luke 12:19, ESV

It is worth noting that this is not the story of an older man who retires from his labor after a lifetime of hard work and good stewardship. No, this is the dream of a young man who got lucky and envisioned an easy and luxurious life where he would never need to work again. His dream reflected one of the great sins of our time - the illusion that material abundance equates to a secure and fulfilling life.

However, the parable takes a sudden and dramatic turn when God addresses the rich man, calling him a fool and declaring that his life would be demanded from him that very night.

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 irony in God's words is profound: the terminology used by God, equating man's life to a loan that is now due, emphasizes the temporary nature of our earthly existence. Jesus was reminding his hearers, and by extension each of us this morning, that we are all living on borrowed time from God. One day, he will come to collect each and every one of us and will want to know what it is we have done with our lives. Rather than being able to show God the good he was able to do with his abundance, all the fool had to show was a stockpile of hoarded wealth that he intended to spend on his own comfort and leisure.

The parable concludes with a sobering reflection on the fate of the rich man's accumulated wealth. Jesus poses a rhetorical question, asking who will possess the things the man had prepared for himself. The inevitable truth revealed is that regardless of who inherits his wealth, it will no longer belong to him, and it will not help him in the next life.

So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. - Luke 12:21, ESV

In death, we leave behind all that we have amassed. No matter how wealthy, we all face mortality and the inability to take our earthly treasures with us.

For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. - Psalm 49:10, ESV

True life and security are not found in material abundance but in being rich toward God. Regardless of what worldly wisdom might say, it is foolish to spend one's days accumulating wealth for personal gain while neglecting spiritual richness. The rich fool in the story represents the folly of focusing on enjoying luxury while ignoring the true purpose of our existence. We should prepare for eternal life and steward the gifts God has given us in a way that honors Him. Serving God and others should be our continual endeavor as long as we have life to live.

The parable's message is not about the quantity of one's possessions but about one's attitude towards them. Whether rich or poor, what matters is how we relate to our material possessions and whether we use them to serve God and others. We should recognize that our blessings come from God and use them with wisdom, knowing that life is transient and accountable to God. The contrast drawn by Jesus is between those who store up treasures for themselves, driven by greed and a focus on material wealth, and those who use their resources for godly purposes, embodying true spiritual richness.

Application

How can we apply Jesus' teachings to our modern lives? Today, many prioritize wealth and material comfort over spiritual growth and service to others. However, Jesus taught that life does not depend on how many possessions we have, and that having more than we need can actually detract from our happiness. The more possessions we have, the more worries and concerns we have to deal with. This preoccupation with wealth and material possessions can consume a person’s time and thoughts, leading to a life driven by financial goals and the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle.

Instead of focusing on material possessions, we should focus on being rich toward God. Being rich toward God means dedicating ourselves wholly to God's work, serving others selflessly, and prioritizing spiritual growth over worldly gain. It involves offering all our abilities for His work without reserve, serving those in need, and contributing generously to Christian ministry. Being rich toward God also means prioritizing the needs of the poor in our financial giving and adopting a lifestyle that allows more freedom for ministry.

Ultimately, the essence of life is not found in what we possess but in who we are in Christ and how we live towards God and our neighbor. The concept of richness is about a complete dedication of oneself and one's resources to the glory of God, making His glory the highest goal, His worship the deepest joy, and His fellowship the greatest satisfaction.

Conclusion

As we approach the end of our service, let's take a moment to think about our journey towards spiritual richness. This means more than just giving money to God's work. It also means using our talents and abilities to help others. For some of us, this may mean living a simpler life with fewer possessions and expenses so we can use more of our resources to support others and spread God's love. This parable challenges us to look at our priorities and find ways to serve others and show God's love to the world. We should take time to think about what is important to us. Are we focusing on temporary, worldly gains or investing in eternal spiritual wealth? Consider this an invitation to reorient our lives towards what truly matters: seeking richness in God's eyes through acts of love, service to others, and unwavering faithfulness in our walk with God.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your guidance in navigating the complexities of our material world. Lord, help us to avoid the pitfalls of materialism that so easily entangle our hearts and minds. Grant us the wisdom and discernment to recognize the transient nature of earthly wealth and the lasting value of spiritual riches. We ask for Your strength to resist the lure of greed and the temptation to measure our worth by our possessions. Instill in us a spirit of generosity so that we may use our blessings to serve others and further Your kingdom. Teach us to find joy and fulfillment not in what we accumulate but in the love and service we offer to those around us. Guide our steps, O Lord, that we may walk in faithfulness, reflecting Your love and grace in all that we do. May our lives be a testament to the true richness that comes from a deep and enduring relationship with You. We pray for Your continued guidance and blessing, trusting in Your unfailing love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.