This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
We have covered the following parables so far in this series:
— The Sower
— The Talents
— The Barren Fig Tree
Starting this morning, we will study the parable of the Rich Fool. The parable is found in Luke 12, verses 16-21. But I will give you some context first. So we will read verses 13-15 and then get into the parable.
Context: (Luke 12:13-15 NIV)
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool: (Luke 12:16-21 NIV)
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Let’s take a look at verse 21 in two more translations:
(Luke 12:21 NLT)
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
(Luke 12:21 MSG)
“That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.”
I will also tie in Ephesians 4:28 into this parable. Here is this verse from two translations.
(Ephesians 4:28 TPT)
If any one of you has stolen from someone else, never do it again. Instead, be industrious, earning an honest living, and then you’ll have enough to bless those in need.
(Ephesians 4:28 NLT)
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
Setting the stage.
As we have studied the parable of Jesus, I hope you have been enjoying the lessons. I know I have. Many of the lessons we can glean from the parables resonate with us because Jesus addresses topics many of us think about. A parable is a natural story with a supernatural meaning. Though simple, these stories are full of spiritual truths that challenge us, and if we apply them, they can help transform us into the men/women we are destined to be. Today, we delve into the Parable of the Rich Fool, a story that speaks to the core of human desires, ambitions, and the true essence of life.
The scene unfolds with a man from the crowd seeking Jesus’ intervention in a family dispute over inheritance. Rather than addressing the man’s immediate concern, Jesus seizes the moment to highlight a more profound, universal issue: the danger of greed and the misconception that life’s value is determined by one’s possessions. When Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions,” it set the stage for the parable.
The Parable of the Rich Fool isn’t merely a warning about the pitfalls of putting your confidence in money. It’s a profound meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the danger of putting your hope in material gain. The rich man, basking in his prosperity, makes grand plans for a future he isn’t promised, leading to a tragic end. This narrative compels us to reflect on our priorities and the true treasures of life.
As we unpack the layers of this parable, we’re prompted to ask: Where is our heart anchored? What is our focus? What are we living for? Are we living our lives focused on amassing earthly treasures, or are we focused on riches from God’s point of view? Let’s allow this parable to challenge our perspectives and realign our values.
Since I am just introducing the parable to you today, I will seek to give you a few nuggets from this parable today. I may expound on these further in the days to come:
1. The value of your life cannot be measured in material possessions.
— True wealth is measured by purpose and Godly character, not currency.
— Possessions are temporary; our impact and legacy are eternal.
— Our worth is intrinsic, not based on external acquisitions. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
— If you make your life about money, not only will you waste the one life you have chasing it, but you may wind up eternally condemned because your heart was focused on the wrong thing.
2. Earthly wealth offers no guarantee of a secure future.
— Tomorrow isn’t promised. Therefore, our trust should be in God, not gold (or things).
— God’s provision is consistent, while the world’s system (and economy) fluctuates.
— Wealth can vanish, but there are things in God’s Kingdom that are eternal, and we should focus on those.
— You can be here today and gone today. So, make sure you know where your heart is anchored.
3. Prosperity without purpose can lead to misplaced priorities.
— True prosperity is about understanding God’s purpose for the abundance.
— God can give you money with a mission and prosperity with a purpose. But without a God-given vision, wealth can lead to vanity and pride.
— Purpose-driven prosperity impacts lives and leaves a legacy.
— God is not opposed to you having money. He is opposed to the money having you!
4. True richness is found in a relationship with God.
— There are things, like what we get from our relationship with God, that money cannot buy.
— God’s presence is the true treasure that surpasses all material wealth.
— Intimacy with God brings clarity, purpose, and fulfillment.
— Money is the least of all riches.
5. Planning for the future without God is futile.
— Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that we can plan, but God directs our steps.
— Divine guidance leads to divine outcomes.
— Our best-laid plans pale in comparison to God’s perfect will.
— Just focus on walking with God every day and tomorrow will take care of itself.
6. Greed blinds us to the true treasures of life.
— Relationships, love, and purpose are treasures money can’t buy.
— Contentment with godliness is great gain (1 Tim 6:6).
— Greed narrows vision, while grace and gratitude broaden our perspective to what God wants to do with the resources.
— It’s hard to OPEN your heart to God’s will when all you are focused on is yourself.
7. Earthly abundance doesn’t equate to spiritual prosperity.
— You can be earthly rich and spiritually corrupt.
— The Kingdom’s economy is based on spiritual truths, not just material assets.
— True prosperity encompasses aligning your mind, body, and spirit with God’s purpose for your life.
— What does it profit to gain the entire world but then lose your soul? (Mark 8:36).
8. Our time on earth is limited, so we should invest it wisely.
— Every moment is a gift; use it to glorify God and bless others.
— Our earthly journey has eternal implications.
— Invest in eternal treasures, not just temporal pleasures.
— What you do now will impact what you experience in the life to come.
9. Wealth can be a barrier to recognizing our dependence on God.
— The importance of humility and recognizing our need for God is paramount.
— Wealth without wisdom can lead to pride and self-reliance. Self-reliance can make us self-righteous.
— True security is found in God, not in bank accounts.
— Those with tremendous wealth are more susceptible to trusting in their riches. You can be rich and humble, but you must guard your heart against placing your trust (or confidence) in things instead of God.
10. The pursuit of material gain can distance us from eternal values.
— Eternal values are rooted in love, faith, and hope.
— Seek first the Kingdom, and all things will be added.
— Worldly pursuits can distract from our heavenly purpose.
— We don’t have a lot of time on this planet. If you spend the “short time” pursuing money and things over God and purpose, you will waste your time on the earth and negatively impact your time in eternity!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
My value is not tied to my possessions. My worth is rooted and grounded in You, Father, and who You called me to be!
I trust in Your provision, not in the fleeting security of earthly wealth.
I seek purpose and meaning beyond material gain, anchoring my heart in Your eternal truths and purpose.
My relationship with You, God, is my true treasure. You feed my soul and guide my path daily.
I renounce greed and pride, embracing humility and recognizing my dependence on You.
I invest my time and resources in eternal values, prioritizing Your Kingdom above all.
Father, guide my steps, that I may always seek richness in You over the allure of worldly pursuits.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME, and when the GREATER comes, it will not ruin me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
