The Rich Fool

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”  (Luke 12:13-21 NLT)

Jesus was at the peak of his popularity and the crowds numbered in the thousands! A man called out from the crowd and asked Jesus to take his side in a family financial squabble. Jesus’ reply directed the man towards eternal values instead of material greed. Then Jesus taught about true values—eternal values—and about being generous with what we have and trusting God for what we need.

Two truths stood out to me from these words of Jesus:

  1. Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. My true wealth and the value of my life isn’t measured by financial net worth.
  2. It’s foolish to strive for material wealth and be a pauper in my relationship with God. A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God and with others.

Jesus didn’t say it’s wrong to have wealth. Wealth can be a blessing. For some people, wealth represents freedom, security, and power, or even a way of keeping score. Possibly the best use of wealth is as a tool to do good for the less fortunate—a tool for changing things for the better. Wealth becomes harmful when we accumulate it or use it at the expense of a rich relationship with God and at the expense of living a Kingdom of God life.

Prayer:

Father, It looks like the things I have and the things I want could lead to poverty in my relationship with you if I don’t hold them loosely and steward them properly. Help me to live a life rich in relationship with you and rich in faithful service to others. Amen.