The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:13-21

Key Verse 12:20

In this passage Jesus indicates that he too has a retirement plan for his children, but unlike the retirement plan of many, Jesus' plan is far better so we should go for His plan. 

1. Read verse 13. What does this passage suggest about the man's relationship with: 1) Jesus; 2) his brother; and 3) 'the inheritance'? Why is it important for one to maintain a 'right' relationship with Jesus, one's neighbor, and the things of the world?

** He issued an order to Jesus, instead of taking orders from Jesus. He was his own master. He used Jesus as a means to become materially rich. In short he did not know who Jesus really is, that is, the source of life in whom he can find an eternal retirement plan. Jesus is the carrier of true life-insurance. 

  ** His relationship with his brother went sour. Most likely he hated his brother thinking that his brother was unfair to him. In short, he did not love his brother as he loved himself. 

** Actually money became his master. Inheritance was what he was thinking about all the time. It stuck to his mind, so that he could not think of anything noble.

** The Bible (such as Genesis 1-2, or Moses' Ten Commandments) teaches us that when we keep the creation order that is God first, man second, and then the things of the world, and thereby place ourselves in the right relationship with God, men, and the world, then God's life can overflow into us and through us to many. 

2.  Think about Jesus' reply in verse 14. In Jewish society it was not uncommon for a rabbi to work as a judge or an arbiter.  Yet Jesus refused to entertain the man’s request. Why? What does Jesus' example teach us in "serving" the needs people have?

** Jesus is indeed the ultimate judge and arbiter, established by God. Acts 17:31. Yet he refused to intervene in this matter, because Jesus did not come to serve men as men want, but to serve men as God wants. The word "who" [appointed me...] suggests that Jesus was aware that it is God [not men] who appointed him to be in service of all.

** We can best serve sheep by knowing that it is not men but God who called us. A lot of pastors, shepherds, missionaries, end up being pulled here and there by the whims of the congregation [for the elders pay their salary, and thereby hold their necks] simply because they do not have a clear sense of calling from 'God.' 

The point of wisdom then is we should not try to please sheep but please God first, for it is when we make God pleased that we can serve sheep to their best interests.    

3. Read verse 15. What is "greed"? Jesus warned the crowed against "all kinds" of greed. What "kinds" of greed can you think of? What do the following expressions tell us about: 1) the nature of greed; 2) man; and 3) the way to overcome the problem of greed? 

1) Watch out!; 

2) Be on your guard; and 

3) 'against' all kinds of greed. 

** Greed = excessive and apprehensive acquisitiveness; avarice, covetousness, selfishness...

[Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. - Mahatma Gandhi]

[Three great forces rule the earth: stupidity, fear, and greed. - Albert Einstein]

[Seven deadly sins - pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, sloth, greed]

** Greed for all kinds of [objects of] possession that are materialistic and humanistic. Categorically "all kinds" consist of all "kinds" that have been created by God. Greed for all kinds refers to being greedy for anything or anyone except for God the Creator. And you do not need to worry about being greedy for God because no one is born that spiritual.

** Greed is greedy to take possession of you, so unless one stands on guard, even without yourself knowing it, it will crawl up onto you and all over you, carrying you away to the way you are not supposed to be going. 

** You are vulnerable to greed, yet are made capable of guarding yourself against it. 

** No one but you can stand on guard for you, so you should be on your guard against it.      

4. In verse 15 Jesus said, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Is it wrong to be 'in the abundance' of 'possessions'? If a man's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, what does it consist in?   

** No. Gen 1:26-28; examples of Abraham or Job being rich; to possess itself is morally neutral. 

** To be in the living relationship with Jesus Christ and then with one's neighbor.

5. Read verses 16-20. Describe this man’s retirement plan. What did he want to do after he retired? What good did the plan do for him?

** It was to keep tons of money in a savings account, enough to keep him going without having to work, so he could take his life easy and be merry.

** Take life easy and be merry.

** It did nothing for him.  It came to nothing.

6. Read verse 21. What does it mean to be rich toward God?

** “Toward” is a directional term meaning flying, leading, going, coming, etc. “Toward” also has the meaning of “to” or “for”. So being rich toward God means to use material possessions for God, or in such a way to lead man to God and God’s cause such as preaching the gospel or feeding the needy etc.  After all this is why God gave man materials in the first place.

[He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Eliot] 

[It’s a cultural disability in America that we worship pleasure, leisure, and affluence. I think the church is doubly damned when they use Jesus as a vehicle for achieving all of that. Like, if you give a tithe, He'll make you rich. Why? Are you hacking Him off or something? If you give a tithe, you get rid of ten percent of the root of all evil. You should be giving ninety percent. Cause God can handle money better than we can.—Rich Mullins]

** Think about why many want to make so much money, and when they (or you) have extra time, money, or other resources, what they (or you) tend to spend them on, and write a testimony on one thing you decided to do for 'life'.