Parables Of Jesus Christ: The Rich Fool
by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

A question from a disciple of Jesus Christ:

"12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:13-15 KJV)

Then, the Messiah's parable of the rich fool:

"12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
12:18 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. 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul [see Where Is Your Soul?], thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee [see Could Christ Return Tonight?]: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:16-21 KJV)

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"

Dedicating one's life to "The Almighty Dollar" is a worthless substitute for giving one's life to The Almighty God, but poverty is no substitute for righteousness either (see the Fact Finder question below). Christ taught His people to obey God, first, foremost, always - and all worldly necessities would be provided as well, by one's own obedient-to-God effort. For example, those who truly obey the Fourth Commandment obey both parts of it - they observe the LORD's Sabbath Day of rest, after working for the six work days of the week to earn that rest, and a living i.e. "20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God" (Exodus 20:9-10 KJV). That's the point of "12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 12:31 KJV).

The Ten Commandments
"12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:22-34 KJV)

Fact Finder: Does a "social gospel" or a "wealth gospel" have any rightful place in the true Gospel of The Kingdom of God?
See No Class Struggles In Christianity